National News – Page 354 – Windhoek Observer

22 Feb

RCC a “special problem”

ObserverNational NewsHenties Bay-Uis-Kamanjab, RCC a “special problem”

The Ministry of Works and Transport said it has awarded two construction projects to beleaguered state roads contractor, Roads Contractor Company, in an attempt to ease the company’s financial woes. Ministry Spokesperson Julius Ngweda said an executive decision was made for them to assist the struggling government entity, hence the “special treatment” in handing over the construction of the Onderombapa road in Gobabis and the construction of another road in Erongo region, on the Henties Bay-Uis-Kamanjab road. “They were supposed to have completed the roads. Construction is still ongoing. They should answer as to why they haven’t completed the projects.…

22 Feb

Namibians in the UK resist deportation

ObserverNational NewsCivil Rights Activist for Namibians in the UK, Namibians in the UK resist deportation, Petrus Undari

Thousands of Namibians in the United Kingdom who are on the verge of deportation say they left Namibia because of suppression, corruption and favoutism in the Namibian job market. Claiming they are economic refugees, the group’s representative and Civil Rights Activist for Namibians in the UK, Petrus Undari says they want government to table an “equal opportunities for all Namibians” motion. This comes after the British government announced that forced and voluntary deportation will be enforced on all Namibians whose asylum applications were rejected. Applications of Over 1200 Namibians seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are outstanding and 90 percent…

22 Feb

Covid-19 under control – Nangombe

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Covid-19 under control - Nangombe

Martin Endjala The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health Social and Services Ben Nangombe says that Covid-19 cases remain under control and that no new hospitalizations have been reported across the country. Nangombe expressed that although this is comforting, people should not be complacent as the virus is still around. He has since called or members of the public to be cautious and maintain social distancing. Nangombe was reacting to concerns raised, following a rise of Covid-19 cases reported towards the end of 2022. “Covid-19 is still with us and we will continue monitoring the situation as it unfolds,…

22 Feb

Judicial Diversity- The Gender Gap

ObserverNational News, OpinionsJudicial Diversity- The Gender Gap, Namibian women holding 44.2% of the seats in parliament

Mercedes Ovis Despite Namibian women holding 44.2% of the seats in parliament, we still lack female judicial leaders. An important seat of power is the bench, as it allows arbitration on nearly every political issue. Judicial diversity promotes fairness, gives legitimacy to state institutions, ensures women’s interests are adequately represented and promotes access to justice. To date no woman has occupied the position of Chief Justice, an important leadership position as it heads the judiciary. Astonishingly, the bench in the supreme court has exclusively comprised of male judges since independence, despite this being the highest court where constitutional issues affecting…

22 Feb

‘Reduce expenditure’- Uutoni

ObserverNational NewsDecentralisation Consultative Forum, ‘Reduce expenditure’- Uutoni

Martin Endjala The Minister of Urban Rural and Development Erastus Uutoni has appealed to officials at regional and central levels, to refrain from and guard against wasteful and fruitless expenditures as well as the abuse of state resources and to resist the temptation of engaging in any form of corrupt practices. “We are all required to demonstrate true servanthood and diligence in the performance of our duties by putting public interest above personal interest,” Uutoni said. The Minister said this during the official opening of the fourth Decentralisation Consultative Forum of key stakeholders in the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy,…

Oniipa accused of deceiving<br>resident with N$100 000

22 Feb

Oniipa accused of deceiving
resident with N$100 000

ObserverNational NewsN$100 000, Oniipa accused of deceiving resident with N$100 000, Susanna Nakale

Steve Nashama Susanna Nakale an ex resident of Onamulunga Village, in Onethindi says she was left heartbroken after the Oniipa Town Council reportedly deceived her into leaving her omahangu field with a compensation of N$ 100 000 and a false promise of two plots, which she now claims she is entitled to, as per the compensation Policy Guidelines for Communal Land. The policy states that a person who’s affected as a land owner may receive two residential erven measuring at least 500m2 in size free of charge allocated in their name. Nakale says that although she was paid N$ 100…

22 Feb

For many Namibians, homosexual conduct is immoral and unacceptable- AG

ObserverNational NewsActivist Friedel Dausab, ay Rights, Festus Mbandeka, For many Namibians, homosexual conduct is immoral and unacceptable- AG

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Following public outcry about a statement he made about homosexuality, Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka, says he was merely responding to an affidavit filed in the High Court. Mbadeka said he was responding to an application filed by Gay Rights, Activist Friedel Dausab, who stressed that Namibian laws promote stigma and the exclusion of consensual sexual acts between men and women. Mbandeka says the remarks are not his views but rather a response to Dausab’s affidavit. He argues that a majority of Namibians still reject homosexuality and that sodomy laws should remain in force. “What I said is in…

Darkness looming?<br>NamPower and MOF mum on load-shedding

20 Feb

Darkness looming?
NamPower and MOF mum on load-shedding

ObserverNational NewsDarkness looming?, NamPower and MOF mum on load-shedding

Staff Writer Last week, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo summoned the management of both his ministry and that of Namibia’s power utility, NamPower, to express his concern about Namibia’s readiness to overcome its energy requirements in the event the South African power utility, Eskom, pulls the plug on Namibia’s power supply. Upon enquiry about the meeting Alweendo however said he could not provide further information about the meeting but a source in the Ministry familiar with the meeting divulged that Alweendo was very frank in the meeting. He expressed serious concern about the potential disaster that the…

20 Feb

Five ‘Struggle Kids’ arrested

ObserverNational NewsChrispin Mubebo, Five ‘Struggle Kids’ arrested

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Five protestors from a group of children of the liberation struggle also known as “struggle kids” were arrested today at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, after the group blocked the ministry’s main entrance and prevented people from entering or exiting the building. Acting Regional Commander Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo confirmed that five of the protestors have been detained. “We had no choice but to arrest them. They were being reluctant and resistant after we humbly requested them to vacate the area as they were prohibiting people from entering and exiting the building. They will be taken…

20 Feb

Namibia, Angola Central Banks strengthen ties

ObserverNational NewsAngola Central Banks strengthen ties, Namibia, The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA) have signed an agreement to formally establish their collaboration and partnership as part of efforts to improve their bilateral relations. The agreement was signed by the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Johannes !Gawaxab and his counterpart Jose de Lima Massano in Luanda, Angola.  “In this regard, the institutions have agreed to focus on effective utilisation of the existing regional cross-border payment systems as well as exploring retail payment options such as prepaid cards for the payment of goods and services. Other solutions being explored are trade related…