National News – Page 407 – Windhoek Observer

13 Jul

NC empowers standing committees

ObserverNational NewsEnhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia (EPDN) Project, NC empowers standing committees, Victoria Kauma

Martin Endjala The National Council has embarked on a capacity building workshop for chairperson and vice- chairperson of its standing committees to equip the committees with the necessary knowledge and understanding to carry out their mandated duties. “The main focus of this workshop is to provide an opportunity for members to be introduced to techniques of leadership and management of Standing Committees in the Parliamentary environment; to gain a greater understanding of the fundamental obligations of Standing Committees as they exercise the intermediation role of establishing accountability among all the stakeholders in the governance space,” said the vice chairperson of…

13 Jul

ChariTree continues with aid to CSOs

ObserverNational NewsChariTree continues with aid to CSOs, Chelsi Shikongo, Miss Namibia, Red Cross Namibia Khomas Region

Martin Endjala The ChariTree charity organisation continued to make a difference in the lives of the under privilege in society. Today it handed over nappies, sanitary products and cleaning products to Red Cross Namibia Khomas Region office for distribution to various civil society organizations, which will ensure that donations go to communities that are in dire need. ChariTree is a wholly, Namibian-owned fundraising platform that aims to sustain and grow registered Namibian charities by connecting them to donors, sponsors and businesses and generates funds through proceeds from raffle ticket sales. The handover was overseen by Miss Namibia, Chelsi Shikongo, who…

SADC PF Plenary gets underway<br>… as President Chakwera calls for Ubuntu, integration

13 Jul

SADC PF Plenary gets underway
… as President Chakwera calls for Ubuntu, integration

ObserverNational Newsintegration, SADC PF Plenary gets underway … as President Chakwera calls for Ubuntu

Moses Magadza in Malawi LILONGWE - The 51st Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) got off to a colourful and sombre start on Monday in the Malawi capital Lilongwe, with President Lazarus Chakwera calling for unity and voicing his full support for a SADC Regional parliament. Five Members of Parliament from Namibia are also attending the Plenary under the leadership of Honourable Agnes Mpingana Kafula, MP. In memory of the former President of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died aged 79 in a Barcelona clinic last Friday, President Chakwera, who is also the Chairperson of…

Paragon ready, capable to run Hosea Kutako airport<br>…. Invests over N$25 million in equipment

12 Jul

Paragon ready, capable to run Hosea Kutako airport
…. Invests over N$25 million in equipment

ObserverNational Newscapable to run Hosea Kutako airport …. Invests over N$25 million in equipment, Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), Paragon ready, Victoria Falls Airport and Lusaka International Airport in Zimbabwe and Zambia

Obrein Simasiku Paragon Aviation says it is ready and capable to carry out airport ground services and cargo handling at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), adding that it possesses the much needed human resources and equipment required to successfully, efficiently and effectively run a smooth operation. Paragon Aviation is a seasoned player in the aviation industry, having been in operation for the past 14 years, and providing similar services at Victoria Falls Airport and Lusaka International Airport in Zimbabwe and Zambia, respectively. Paragon Aviation, an arm of Paragon Investment Holding, is in a struggle to take over airport ground…

12 Jul

SOEs restrict private players in economy

ObserverNational NewsSOEs restrict private players in economy, World Bank Country Private Sector Diagnostic Report

Tujoromajo Kasuto The World Bank Country Private Sector Diagnostic Report launched on Friday reveals that Namibia’s largely monopolistic market structure and dominant public sector create an uneven playing field for the private sector. According to the report, public enterprise or SOE sector dominance in a small economy like Namibia creates anti-competitive effects, particularly when SOEs operate in monopolistic and privileged positions in key sectors of the economy, as they do even in sectors where private participation could be more efficient and transformative. Given the small market size, the bank emphasizes that overall efficiency and productivity gains could be realized by…

12 Jul

Litany of corruption charges against Grootfontein CEO

ObserverNational NewsKisco Sinvula, Litany of corruption charges against Grootfontein CEO, racketeering and the misuse of public funds.

Obrein Simasiku A dark cloud of alleged circumvention of tendering processes, insults and alleged disregard of policies and procedures, are some of the underlying issues forming the basis for charges against the suspended Grootfontein Chief Executive Officer, Kisco Sinvula, whose journey at the municipality has been turbulent since taking over in March 2020. Sinvula has been officially charged on Friday with an avalanche of 30 charges. He is charged for insubordination, abuse of power, violations of the Local Authorities Act of 1992, violations of the Procurement Act, corruption, forgery, misleading and misrepresentation of facts, negligent trading, utterances and violations of…

12 Jul

Government allows for import of older cars

ObserverNational NewsApproval is extended for two years to include import age restrictions for non-commercial vehicles of up to 12 years, Government allows for import of older cars, Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT)

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) has increased the import age restrictions for non-commercial second hand vehicles from the current eight to 12 years for the next two years. Under the current economic conditions, ‘’the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) has officially announced interim relief measures for the used vehicle industry on age restrictions. The Approval is extended for two years to include import age restrictions for non-commercial vehicles of up to 12 years, up from the current capping age limit of 8 years,’’ a statement from the ministry reads. The ministry states that, ‘’The Decision…

12 Jul

FIMA enactment put on hold

ObserverNational News55 years can only claim 25 percent of their pension, FIMA enactment put on hold, Financial Institutions and Markets Act, Victory Muranda

Martin Endjala Feedback on the concerns of the public and stakeholders regarding the Financial Institutions and Markets Act will be shared by the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) during the last quarter of this year. This was announced by Namfisaá corporate communication and consumer education manager, Victory Muranda in a media statement on Friday. Muranda also said that the controversial regulations regarding retirement benefits claims will also not be introduced on 1 October as initially planned. The public was particularly opposed to the draft regulation that persons younger than 55 years can only claim 25 percent of their pension…

12 Jul

13 arrests on wildlife crime charges

ObserverNational News11 black rhino, 13 arrests on wildlife crime charges, and Tourism (MEFT)

Staff Writer Earlier this month, 13 people were arrested on wildlife crime charges. According to Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), 11 of the arrested suspects were related to the recent discovery of poached rhino carcasses in the Etosha National Park, and the other two suspects were found in possession of a live pangolin. “All the arrests and confiscated items are suspected to be linked to the recent rhino poaching incidents in Etosha National Park. The joint operation confiscated items such as two vehicles, five rifles, ammunition, axes, knifes as well as cash close…

09 Jul

MPs question effectiveness of unemployment interventions

ObserverNational NewsDeputy Minister of Works and Transpor, MPs question effectiveness of unemployment interventions, PDM MP Vipuakuje Muharukua

Martin Endjala A comment by the Deputy Minister of Works and Transport that he does not agree with the sentiments that government is not doing enough to address the high unemployment in the country got opposition MPs hot under the collar. Veikko Nekundi’s comment was not well received by PDM MP Vipuakuje Muharukua, but the Swapo deputy minister said the motion, that was tabled by PDM’s Inna Hengari, is aimed at downplaying good things done by the ruling party. The motion, Nekundi said, is very important, but is coated in an amateurish content that seems to be geared for campaigning…