National News – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

16 Apr

Transporters to pay cargo levy

National News

Allexer Namundjebo New rules introducing a cargo levy on cross-border road transport have been gazetted. Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi issued the regulations, published in the government gazette on 1 April. They give effect to levy provisions under the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor agreement. Transport operators must now pay a levy of U$0.90 (about N$14.75) per tonne of cargo when passing through border posts such as Katima Mulilo and Ngoma. “Payment must be made either on entry into or departure from the country,” the gazette states. The rules also say operators cannot enter or leave Namibia without paying the…

16 Apr

COASTAL OBSERVER | New climate policy talks begin in Erongo

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Erongo Regional Council has started consultations to update Namibia’s climate policy. The discussions took place during a stakeholder workshop held on 9 and 10 April in Swakopmund. The meeting forms part of a national process to review the 2011 National Policy on Climate Change and align it with current challenges and commitments. The workshop brought together officials from the Erongo Regional Council, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), as well as technical experts and development partners. Participants discussed policy gaps, coordination and implementation. The draft policy shows that Namibia…

16 Apr

COASTAL OBSERVER | Erongo leaders visit Langer Heinrich mine

Featured, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Erongo governor Nathalia ||Goagoses led a delegation from the Erongo Regional Council on a visit to the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine on Tuesday to engage with the mining company and review its operations. The delegation included six constituency councillors from Walvis Bay Urban, Walvis Bay Rural, Arandis, Omaruru and Karibib, as well as chief regional officer Sam Ntelamo and other senior officials. The visit started with a meeting where managing director Johan Roux and his team received the delegation. Scott Barber from Paladin Energy also attended. Company officials, including the safety officer, human resources team and mine manager,…

16 Apr

COASTAL OBSERVER | Youth programme supports 17 young entrepreneurs

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Seventeen young entrepreneurs in Swakopmund have received support to start and grow their businesses under the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Initiative (YEDI). The programme is led by the municipality of Swakopmund in partnership with the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine. The handover took place on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to address youth unemployment and support local business growth. Beneficiaries received tools, equipment and other resources suited to their businesses. The support allows them to move from planning to operating. Chairperson of the management committee Eddy Angula said the programme is helping young people create jobs. “Today marks yet…

15 Apr

New CPBN rules may leave few qualified evaluators

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjebo Policy analysts say stricter qualification requirements introduced by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) could limit the pool of eligible experts. They raise concerns about how effective the reforms will be in improving procurement processes. The CPBN recently introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) members. These include mandatory qualifications recognised by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), police clearance certificates, structured training, and competency assessments. According to CPBN spokesperson Johanna Kambala, the aim is to improve how public bids are evaluated. Kambala said the strengthened procedures are aimed at promoting integrity, fair dealing, transparency and…

15 Apr

Namibia, Angola sign N$941m power deal

National News

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) and Angola's Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade have signed agreements for the Angola-Namibia Power Interconnector Project (ANNA), valued at N$941 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2029. The two utilities on Tuesday signed a joint development agreement and a power purchase agreement. These set out how the project will be built, managed and operated. The project was approved by Cabinet in February as part of national energy plans with funding of about N$4 billion allocated to support NamPower’s capital contribution. The funding will cover the engineering, procurement and construction of…

15 Apr

Kandumbu denies skipping suspended Katima CEO’s hearing

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Former Katima Mulilo Town Council administrator Marina Kandumbu has denied claims that she refused to testify in the disciplinary hearing of suspended chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Kandumbu said the claims are false. “I was in Katima Mulilo from Monday and only returned to Windhoek last night (Monday). I had travelled there to testify at the hearing,” she said. She said she has no reason to avoid the process and will continue to cooperate. “I want to make it clear that I will never turn against the honourable minister. In any…

15 Apr

Govt cracks down on vaping

National News

Patience Makwele Namibia is moving to tighten laws on e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products as part of efforts to strengthen tobacco control. The deputy minister of health, Susan Ndjaleka, said the government is reviewing the Tobacco Products Control Act to close gaps in regulation. She was speaking at the Africa Tobacco Control Core Partners Biannual Coordination meeting in Windhoek on Tuesday. “We are in the process of amending the Tobacco Product Control Act to address emerging tobacco products,” Ndjaleka said. She said Namibia is also working towards joining the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products to curb…

15 Apr

E-hailing operators want urgent meeting with Nekundi

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Small and medium enterprise (SMEs) operators in the e-hailing sector have asked works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi for an urgent meeting over delays in permit approvals. In a letter dated 10 April, seen by the Windhoek Observer, Yango partners said administrative delays are stopping compliant drivers from working. They said the problem is not refusal to follow the law but slow processes. “Systemic administrative delays in the permitting process are preventing compliant drivers from operating,” the letter states. Operators said many drivers submitted all required documents before the May deadline but are still waiting for approval. They…

14 Apr

Tug of war: Katima CEO suspended again

Main, National News

Patience Makwele Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has approved the suspension of Katima Mulilo Raphael Liswaniso with full pay. A ministerial letter confirms the approval was granted under the Local Authorities Act and takes immediate effect. The decision comes after the Labour Court of Namibia ordered Liswaniso’s reinstatement last Friday in a separate matter linked to his suspension. That earlier suspension, effected on 28 October last year, was challenged through arbitration. The ruling found it was procedurally unfair. It said Liswaniso was not notified, was not warned and was not informed of the charges. The arbitrator ordered his…