National News – Page 376 – Windhoek Observer

04 Aug

Public trust declines in vaccines

ObserverNational NewsHealth and Social Service, Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Public trust declines in vaccines, ral Polio Vaccine (OPV)

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Health and Social Services has observed waning public trust in vaccines in recent years with a low uptake of childhood immunisation, particularly immunisation against measles and Rubella. This comes as the country also failed to meet Covid-19 vaccination target of 70 percent. This is a concern as immunisation is an essential life-saving service in preventing severe illnesses among children, adults and pregnant women, making it critical in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, said, ‘’the Ministry has also recorded a reduction in immunisation of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV),…

04 Aug

TransNamib defends D&M rail partnership

ObserverNational NewsD&M Rail Construction, s Chief Executive Officer Johny Smith, TransNamib defends D&M rail partnership

Obrein Simasiku TransNamib is defending its long-standing business relationship with D&M Rail Construction, which has been scooping lucrative rail tenders worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while TransNamib is believed to have the capacity to do the job. The rail paratastal’s Chief Executive Officer Johny Smith, said the partnership is a beneficial one for both entities. “Since I took over in 2018 we started working together on some of the projects for the benefit of TransNamib and rail. If anyone believes there is no benefit in this partnership, let’s have the facts and information, then we will ensure that its…

04 Aug

Parliamentarians urged to become innovators

ObserverNational NewsChairperson of the National Counci, Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Sixth Society of Clerks-at-the Table (SOCATT)

Martin Endjala A delegation comprising parliamentarians from various African states have been urged to familiarise themselves with the evolving technology to become relevant in the new normal. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council express this sentiment during the official opening of the Sixth Society of Clerks-at-the Table (SOCATT) professional development seminar today in Windhoek today. Concerns raised centred on parliamentary administrative duties as well as human resources that of late is feeling the effects of evolving technology, as well as their reluctance do things as usual. These the chairperson stressed require parliamentarians to move away from tradition, lamenting…

04 Aug

Community courts impacted by lack of funds

ObserverNational NewsCommunity courts impacted by lack of funds, Mayeye Community Court, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Zambezi region

Martin Endjala Community courts are finding it hard to carry out their day-to-day duties due to the lack of funds and are left to oversee piling cases that require funding. The courts are presided over by traditional leaders. This was revealed yesterday by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs currently conducting oversight visits to the Zambezi Region. The courts also experience difficulty in paying proper allowances and salaries to its clerks, justices, messengers of courts and assessors, including lack of transport which makes it difficult for messengers to deliver summons on time, as well as the lack…

02 Aug

Napwu open for talks: Nevonga

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Public Workers’ Union (NAPWU), NAPWU general secretary, Napwu open for talks: Nevonga, Petrus Nevonga, president Hage Geingob

Obrein Simasiku The Namibia Public Workers’ Union (NAPWU) is stuck to its grounds over the ongoing debacle of the planned national strike for civil servants who are demanding for improved salaries and wages, as it receives a backlash and stiff resistance from government and top officials who are maintaining that there is no money, labelling the strike as an ill-conceived plan. NAPWU general secretary, Petrus Nevonga was reacting to comments by President Hage Geingob in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, in which the cancellation of an overseas trip by Geingob was announced. “We followed the Labour Act, and…

02 Aug

Govt, unions advised to compromise

ObserverNational News. 96 percent, Govt, Hening Melber, National Council MP Paulus Mbangu, Ndumba Kamwenyah, unions advised to compromise

Martin Endjala The government and the civil servant representative unions, are being advised to compromise by working together and finding an amicable solution. This comes in the wake of a possible national strike should the parties fail to agree. 96 percent of those who participated in the strike ballot voting in favour of a strike. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwenyah cautioned that the consequences of the looming industrial strike could be catastrophic to the people and the economy. He therefore, advises the two parties to come to a compromise in the interest of the country, while adding that education will be…

02 Aug

No pay rise in sight for TransNamib

ObserverNational NewsCEO Johnny Smith, making losses of N$10 million monthly, No pay rise in sight for TransNamib

Obrein Simasiku TransNamib workers are expected to vote for a strike on 12 August, despite the parastatal in serious financial dire straits.CEO Johnny Smith, maintains that TransNamib is no financial position to give any salary increments. He pleaded with the union and workers to evaluate and understand the dire consequences the industrial action will have on a limping entity. “Throughout our negotiations we have been opening our books to show them where we stand. We implore our employees to remember that after much grappling we have secured the needed funding to improve our capacity in terms of rolling stock,” said…

02 Aug

Why am I the centre of attention: Hanse-Himarwa

ObserverNational NewsKatrina Hanse-Himarwa, Media Ombudsman, Why am I the centre of attention: Hanse-Himarwa

Obrein Simasiku Former Education Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has come out guns blazing against the media, asking why there is so much interest in her. “Why is it always Katrina, Katrina, Katrina? I want the media to tell me, why my persona is so important to them to such an extent that they’re fabricating things,” she asked rhetorically. She further accused media houses and journalists of conniving with individuals, with the aim of character assassination. Hanse-Himarwa’s remarks come after the a local newspaper carried a report that she said that opposition councillor will not succeed because Swapo is still in charge.…

02 Aug

Second desalination plant in offing

ObserverNational News) Veston Malango, Calle Schlettwein, Chamber of Mines of Namibia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Veston Malango, Malango, Second desalination plant in offing

Tujoromajo Kasuto Government is currently engaged in negotiations with the private sector to set up a new desalination plant as a joint project by four uranium mines, Chamber of Mines of Namibia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Veston Malango has revealed. ‘’The mines have joined forces together to make a proposal to the chamber of mines, expressing their desire to invest in such a desalination plant. We are not in the business of making and selling water because that is the prerogative of Namwater. If the private sector is allowed to build a desalination plant like the current one, we believe…

02 Aug

Retired general sues for ‘illegal detention’

ObserverNational NewsAlbert Kawana, N$100 000, N$150 000 for unlawful arrest, Retired general sues for ‘illegal detention’, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela

Retired major general, Thomas Ngilifavali Hamunyela has instituted legal proceedings against the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security for an alleged unlawful arrest. Hamunyela is claiming N$150 000 for unlawful arrest, N$100 000 for further detention of three days in a holding cell in January last year in Rundu and an additional N$170 000 for both claims and legal costs. “The arrest and detention were not necessary and appropriate as the members of the police did not have any fear that the plaintiff (Hamunyela) if given summons would appear in court. There was no reasonable suspicion that the…