National News – Page 369 – Windhoek Observer

23 Nov

Law enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

National NewsLaw enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

Niël Terblanché As the festive season gets into full swing, law enforcement agencies in Namibia are poised to uphold their duty to protect and serve the public, striving to make the roads safer and promote a secure environment for all residents and visitors alike. As a result, these agencies in Namibia are gearing up and preparing to ensure public safety and security during a period traditionally associated with increased road accidents and other incidents. Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, during the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund, has urged all…

23 Nov

PM urges local authorities to play their role effectively

National News

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has urged Local Authorities to play their roles effectively if the government is to succeed in realising its policy objective to promote highly sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development. She said Local Authorities are the first point of contact with the government by residents and businesses in urban areas as society is becoming increasingly urbanised. She made these remarks yesterday at the official opening of the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) and Namibia University Science Technology 2023 Good Governance, Leadership, and Project Management Training at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.…

23 Nov

SAM will assess the impact of employment in Namibia

National NewsSAM will assess the impact of employment in Namibia

Niël Terblanché The recent introduction to Namibia of the new and innovative Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Model and the commitment to Employment Impact Assessment is a huge step towards enhancing employment opportunities, fostering economic growth, and ensuring a brighter future for the country’s workforce. The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Namibia Statistics Agency, has introduced the new SAM Model. This innovative model aims to assess the employment impact of existing and upcoming projects in Namibia, including the Green Hydrogen project and others. During the launch event, Lydia…

22 Nov

Meatco faces more cash flow problems as farmers demand immediate payment

National News

Niël Terblanché Cattle farmers in Namibia have raised concerns over delayed payments from the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), citing the state-owned enterprise’s severe cash flow problems that are impacting their ability to meet financial obligations. The situation has escalated to the point where producers are now demanding upfront payments and assurances of timely payments for their livestock. Following an urgent meeting held last Thursday between Meatco’s management and directors and livestock producers, a written document outlining their demands was submitted. Among the key demands in the document is the requirement for Meatco to settle all outstanding payments promptly and…

22 Nov

Investigation launched into illicit sale of fuel supply licenses

National NewsInvestigation launched into illicit sale of fuel supply licenses

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Mines and Energy has initiated an investigation into the illicit sale of fuel supply licenses, as concerns mount over the unauthorised marketing of fuel licenses and fuel products at unregulated prices on social media platforms. Brian Eiseb, the Acting Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, expressed deep concern about the increasing number of advertisements offering wholesale fuel licenses, retail fuel licenses, and fuel at non-gazetted prices. “These advertisements often originate from individuals or institutions lacking the necessary licensing authority,” he said. Eiseb cautioned the public that engaging in the trade of fuel…

22 Nov

PDM demands answers regarding emergency fund spending on security installations

National NewsPDM demands answers regarding emergency fund spending on security installations

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament, Nico Smit, is demanding that Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila explain how N$30 million from the National Emergency Fund was utilized for security installations and renovations at her office, as well as the refurbishment of the old State House. Smit’s inquiries are based on the findings of the Auditor General’s report. He announced in the National Assembly that on November 30, 2023, he intends to question the Prime Minister about why she authorized the allocation of funds for purposes that were not intended, which goes against the objectives of the National Emergency…

22 Nov

Parliament shows support for official recognition of sign language

National News

Stefanus Nashama As members of Parliament continue to contribute to the call for recognizing sign language as the second official language in the country, more lawmakers are stepping up in support of the motion. Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Jenelly Matundu, added her voice to the cause this week, urging her fellow MPs to consider accommodating deaf people by supporting the motion. She pointed out that the proposal aims to safeguard and promote the linguistic rights of hearing-impaired people in all aspects of Namibian society. Supporting the motion tabled by Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Alexia Manombe-Ncube, about…

22 Nov

Swapo’s Ohangwena branch supports Ndeitunga’s appointment

National NewsSwapo’s Ohangwena branch supports Ndeitunga’s appointment

Stefanus Nashama Swapo’s branch in Ohangwena Region has refuted claims from members of the public that the leadership in the region was not comfortable with President Hage Geingobs’s decision to replace former governor Walde Ndevashiya with the former police chief, Sebastian Ndeitunga. The Presidency last week announced the appointment of Ndeitunga as the new regional governor, replacing Ndevashiya. Responding to the claims this week, the Swapo Party’s Regional Coordinator for the Ohangwena Region, Philemon Josua clarified that the leadership in the region has welcomed and respected the decision of the president. Josua said the president has the right and the…

22 Nov

Ithindi appointed as the new ED of the Ministry of Mines and Energy

National NewsIthindi appointed as the new ED of the Ministry of Mines and Energy

Niël Terblanché George Simataa, the Secretary to the Cabinet, in a statement, disclosed that Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made this appointment based on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission. He said the appointment is made in accordance with Sections 5(1) and 19(A)(1) of the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995). Ithindi’s appointment is on a fixed-term contract of five years, set to commence on 1 December 2023. He currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, within the Department of Planning, Marketing, and Administration. According to the statement,…

22 Nov

Fly Namibia to start operating the Windhoek – Victoria Falls route next year

National NewsFly Namibia to start operating the Windhoek - Victoria Falls route next year

Erasmus Shalihaxwe FlyNamibia yesterday announced that the airline will open a crucial new tourism and business route with its new service between Windhoek and Victoria Falls that is set to commence on 4 April 2024. FlyNamibia Managing Director, Andrè Compion stated that flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport and the Zimbabwean resort town, Victoria Falls, which is famous for its spectacular 1,7-kilometer-wide waterfall and its perpetual fine mist cloud, known as colloquially as “Mosi oa Tunya”, or “the Smoke That Thunders”. “This new route is a key element in FlyNamibia’s network expansion…