National News

Inadequate resources hamper fight against poaching

Inadequate resources hamper fight against poaching

Martin Endjala Insufficient funds injected into sustainable management of forest resources is the reason for uncontrolled chopping down of trees for household and commercial use. The Deputy Director of Forestry Fillemon Kayofa from the Directorate of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism shared these sentiments during a table discussion under the theme ‘Stop Poaching Namibia Forest Resources’ in partner with the European Union, Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) held at the House of Democracy in Windhoek today. The event is aimed at promoting sustainable forest management in the Kavango-Zambezi regions given…
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Trafficked women repatriated from Oman

Trafficked women repatriated from Oman

Obrein Simasiku About 31 Namibian women aged between 27 and 40 were trafficked to Oman with assistance of agents in Namibia, since February this year. The victims were recruited under the disguise of employment and search for greener pastures, but they are however being subjected to suffering, inhuman treatment and turned into slavery. This was revealed by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in the National Assembly today, where she said 21 of those have been successfully repatriated back to Namibia, while the remaining 10 have been identified, traced and kept at safe houses, through the collaboration…
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Aid stream-in for impoverished family

Aid stream-in for impoverished family

Obrein Simasiku Good Samaritans have come to the aid of the household ravaged by hunger and abject poverty. The household with more than 15 family members of which 14 are minors including five school going children, has been finding it difficult to make ends meet as they struggled to provide a meal, let alone clothes and house themselves. Following last week's Windhoek Observer report revealing the family's plight, Swapo Party Youth League's secretary for education Hofni Iipinge together with Riya Engineering today donated seven blankets, 14 pillows, washing powder, soap, two 20kg bags of sugar and food parcels to the…
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ReconAfrica gets approval from communities

ReconAfrica gets approval from communities

Martin Endjala An investigation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has found that ReconAfrica exploring for oil in the two Kavango regions have the support of regional leadership, local communities and traditional authorities. The standing committee chairperson, Tjekero Tweya tabled the informative report in the National Assembly yesterday.“It is the committee’s conviction that the objectives and mandates extended to it by the house, has been executed successfully and in an objective open, fair and transparent manner,” Tweya asserted. The attributable reasons for the overwhelming support, is said to be centred on economic and social Benefits, which have to…
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Irimari satisfied with agriculture, business growth

Irimari satisfied with agriculture, business growth

Obrein Simasiku The governor of the Oshana Region Ellia Irimari hailed the political stability in the region, saying it is a cornerstone for good governance, steering the region into a prosperous direction of sustainable development and accelerated development. "This situation is attributed to the prevailing good political setting in Namibia, which is anchored on the good governance principles of our democracy. Political stability remains an important condition for sustainable development and investment in the region. Hence, I call on my leadership to continue embracing the principles of good governance, and to promote public participation both in policy reforms and programmes…
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Gaob Kooper has finished his race<br>but the relay is not finished-OGF

Gaob Kooper has finished his race
but the relay is not finished-OGF

Staff Writer To uphold the legacy of Gaob Simon Petrus Kooper, the descendants of the victims of colonial Germany’s genocide against the Nama, Ovaherero and Ovambanderu must at all time remain vigilant. Says the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu Genocide Foundation (OGF) paying tribute to the fallen Kai-//Khau Gaob on behalf of Ovaherero and Ovambanderu traditional leaders like Paramount Chief Aletha Karikondua Nguvauva of the Ovambanderu Traditional Council (OTC), Chief Vipuira Kapuuo of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), Chief Sam Kambazembi of the Kambazembi Traditional Authority, Chief Turimuro Hoveka of the Hoveka Traditional Authority and Chief Rikurura Kukuri of the Ombandi traditional…
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Two-year cap to address accommodation for students

Two-year cap to address accommodation for students

Obrein Simasiku The Governor of the Oshana Region Ellia Irimari has given the three local authorities of Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa, two years to fast track land provision for the construction of affordable accommodation for students. This is because students of a lack of adequate accommodation and the subsequent exorbitant rental charges. Irimari said the provision of affordable housing remains a challenge in the region as the demand for decent shelter continues escalating. He, however, said that significant progress is being made by the three local authorities, hence further encouragement to service more land in the region to avail land…
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NEFF disappointed in justice system as activist are remanded in jail

NEFF disappointed in justice system as activist are remanded in jail

Obrein Simasiku The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has claimed political manipulation of the justice system, as its activist Michael Amushelelo together with Affirmative Repositioning movement's (AR) Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, were remanded in custody until 28 July, as they made their second court appearance today. "This is a waste of time and state resources. How can they continue postponing the matter when they (justice) know they have no strong case against our activists. We know and understand that this is politics at work, and we shall make sure that those chaffing the cards will be taken to task," said NEFF's second…
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Suppliers rake in N$2.3 million in duplicate payments

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…
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Economic activities supporting oil and gas more impactful

Economic activities supporting oil and gas more impactful

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…
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