National News – Page 354 – Windhoek Observer

06 Jul

Suppliers rake in N$2.3 million in duplicate payments

ObserverNational NewsAuditor General Junias Kandjeke, Suppliers rake in N$2.3 million in duplicate payments

Obrein Simasiku Three suppliers raked in a whooping N$2.3 million in duplicate payments, made by the Department of Home Affairs and Immigration during the 2020/21 financial year, the Auditor General Junias Kandjeke has revealed. He has thus recommended to the accounting officer to put controls in place to ensure that double payments will not happen again in the future. "You should recover the amount and provide such proof for audit purposes, however the accounting officer indicated that the amount be collected from the respective suppliers," stressed Kandjeke. In addition, Kandjeke also revealed that the main division [minister's office] overspent by…

06 Jul

Economic activities supporting oil and gas more impactful

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Mines and Energy, Namibian University of Science and Technology Public Lecture on Petroleum, National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR)., Tom Alweendo

Tujoromajo Kasuto Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, said economic activities in the oil and gas sector have a greater economic impact than direct revenue from petroleum extraction activities and licences issued by the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR). ‘’To me, local content has a greater economic impact than direct revenue from the oil sector because, if done well, it can generate more value than direct revenue from the oil sector. Consider the engineering services that must be provided to these companies, transportation, catering, and so that must be built, and I believe that is where the value…

06 Jul

Parliament approves LARC members

ObserverNational NewsLand Advisory Reform Commission, MAWLR, Parliament approves LARC members, Schlettwein, Standing Committees on Natural Resources Kletus Karondo

Martin Endjala The National Assembly has approved the appointment of four Land Advisory Reform Commission members by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform after a heated debate over the fitness of one of the members to serve on the body. Minister Carl Schlettwein thanked the MPs for finally endorsing them. The endorsement of the four was adjourned last week following the heated and uncompromising exchanges. Today the chairperson of the Standing Committees on Natural Resources Kletus Karondo said the candidates fully qualified in over seeing their duties, while emphasizing that people should not be judged based on party…

06 Jul

Southern caucus proud of its victory at PAP

ObserverNational NewsChief Fortune Charumbira from Zimbabwe, Loide Kasingo Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Pan-African Parliament, Southern caucus proud of its victory at PAP

Martin Endjala The Southern Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament is determined to support the newly elected president of PAP from its midst to validate the slogan of One Africa, One Voice. President Chief Fortune Charumbira from Zimbabwe was elected last week to head PAP. The caucus said that they will ensure that the office of the president receives to promote democracy, unity and inclusiveness for all Africans. This approach the cluster said is part of its efforts to achieve and tackle challenges in the delivery of health services and sanitation. The group impressed upon Charumbira to lead the PAP in…

06 Jul

Old Mutual targets small businesses for empowerment

ObserverNational NewsOld Mutual targets small businesses for empowerment, Oshakati and Windhoek, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Old Mutual Sustainable, Economic, and Empowerment Drive (OM SEED) initiative, launched in collaboration with Launch Namibia, the Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab, aims to empower 180 entrepreneurs with N$85 000. Old Mutual Foundation manager of communications Mufaro Nesongano states OM SEED is an initiative that they have endorsed for the next three years, beginning this year. Every year, they will target the grassroots market in three randomly selected towns across the 14 regions. ‘’This year we have specifically selected Keetmanshoop, Oshakati and Windhoek, as these towns are strategically located…

06 Jul

Residents sues Katima council over N$1 million

ObserverNational NewsMatongo is claiming N$1 185 216.05, Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Residents sues Katima council over N$1 million

Staff writer Obrean Kafuma Matongo has dragged the Katima Mulilo Council to court for allegedly unlawfully and wrongfully demolishing his dwelling. Matongo is claiming N$1 185 216.05 for damages he allegedly suffered due to the demolition of his house. Matongo is citing the Municipality of Katima Mulilo, the chief executive officer of the council and the Minister of Urban and Rural Development in his particulars of claim as respondents filed with the High Court of Namibia. “N$534 832.05 being reasonable costs incurred for the construction of plaintiffs (Matongo) dwelling, N$422 610.40 in respect household items lost and destroyed by first…

05 Jul

Swapo sings renewed unity

ObserverNational Newspresident Hage Geingob, Swapo President, Swapo sings renewed unity

Staff Writer Swapo President, Hage Geingob has described the just concluded 3rd Swapo Policy Conference as a resounding success for having met its objectives including Strengthening the Party for a United Congress 2022. He said the gathering met all its goals because the leaders from all Swapo structures made tangible inputs, adding that they should go and report to the rank and file of the party. President Geingob shared this on his Facebook Page on Sunday. ‘’No doubt – we have met our objective of building a party that strengthens capacity and sets policy direction for government,’’ he said in…

05 Jul

Fuel import bill spikes by 119.6%

ObserverNational NewsFuel import bill spikes by 119.6%, Higher international oil prices, Ministry of Mines and Energy

Tujoromajo Kasuto Higher international oil prices have manifested in the Namibian economy, as a higher bill for fuel, with the import bill now having skyrocketed by 119.6 percent to N$5.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. According to the Bank of Namibia’s Quarterly Bulletin for June 2022, this is due to higher international oil prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as an increase in imported volumes, which put upward pressure on the import bill for mineral fuels. ‘’Mineral fuel makes up a substantial share of total imports and has been…

05 Jul

Walvis residents told not to panic over housing list

ObserverNational NewsWalvis Bay, Walvis residents told not to panic over housing list

Martin Endjala Residents living in the Walvis Bay’s two suburbs Naraville and Kuisebmond have been advised not panic over the list of names who are selected to be allocated houses in the two suburbs, saying that the municipal administrators are working within the regulatory frameworks and will ensure that every resident is treated fairly in the compilation of the list. “If you are not on the list do not be alarmed, the administrators are working on it,” councilor Ryan Gordon of the Landless People’s Movement said recently during his local authority update briefing in Walvis Bay on housing and social…

05 Jul

SADC candidate triumphs at PAP

ObserverNational NewsChief Fortune Charumbira, Pan African Parliament

Martin Endjala The Pan African Parliament presidency election that was delayed last year because of uncompromising stand-off and embarrassing pandemonium between delegates, took a much reconciliatory tone this time around and the election finally took place with the Southern Caucus candidate winning. Zimbabwe’s Chief Fortune Charumbira was elected as the new President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Wednesday evening, 29 June 2022. The breakthrough of Charumbira’s election was widely celebrated in Southern Africa as he becomes the very first person from the sub-region to lead PAP. Although he was the sole presidential candidate, running for PAP presidency, he needed…