National News – Page 419 – Windhoek Observer

09 Aug

Medicine worth N$20m at risk of spoilage at Rundu medical store…MoHSS ignores air conditioning system repairs for two years

Featured, National NewsDoctor Nelson Olabanji, Medicine worth N$20m at riskof spoilage at Rundu medical store…MoHSS ignores air conditioning system repairs for two years

Hertta-Maria Amutenja MEDICINE and other essential clinical supplies valued at approximately N$ 20 million are on the brink of spoilage at Rundu medical store, due to malfunctioning cooling system. The air conditioning system is said to have come to a halt almost two years ago, and remains unrepaired due to lack of funding, putting medical supplies in jeopardy. This was revealed on Tuesday by officials who are managing the medical store, while testifying before the National Council Standing Committee on Health. They said the facility’s cooling system urgently requires repair with the cost estimated to be over N$ 500 000.…

09 Aug

ECB grants CENORED green light to increase prices

National NewsECB grants CENORED green light to increase prices, THE Electricity Control Board (ECB)

Staff Writer THE Electricity Control Board (ECB) has approved a price increase request for electricity by CENORED, at a rate of 7.6 percent for the entity, which mainly operates in central parts of Namibia. CENORED initially applied to ECB to increase its rates by 8.0 percent and 3,5 percent in both Okahandja and Omaheke, however, only, the regulator, only approved an increase of 7,3 percent and 3,3 percent in such areas, respectively. This in essence means domestic consumers will now pay N$ 100 for 35 units of electricity from the initial 40 units, whereas businesses will fork out N$ 100…

09 Aug

Iipumbu urges NaCC, NEAB boards to uphold public governance standards

National NewsIipumbu urges NaCC, Namibia Estate Agents Boards of Directors (NEAB, NEAB boards to uphold public governance standards

Staff Writer Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, has implored Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) and the Namibia Estate Agents Boards of Directors (NEAB) to uphold public governance standards. Iipumbu said this during the inauguration of the boards of directors which jointly took place in Windhoek on Monday. She reminded the directors that sound corporate governance is the basis for any institution’s success, and encourages the two boards to lead the institutions in line with the Public Enterprises Governance Act. “Good corporate governance requires credible and trustworthy institutions built on principles of transparency and accountability. Accountability goes beyond the mere…

09 Aug

Omuthiya ready for August 26 Commemorations

National NewsOttilie Shingenge

Stefanus Nashama OMUTHIYA Town Council says it is ready to host this year’s 33rd Heroes Day commemorations on August 26 at the Omuthiya Recreational Park. Omuthiya Town Council Spokesperson, Ottilie Shingenge stated on Wednesday that the town is ready to host the Heroes’ Day celebration for the second time after hosting it in 2012. “In terms of readiness, Omuthiya Town Council, as a hosting town, is ready to host the 26 August 33 Heroes’ Day commemorations. In terms of venue, cleanliness of the town, and all logistic arrangements are in place,” she said. This follows an official announcement was made…

09 Aug

Interim Nust Chairperson calls for informed decision-making

National NewsInterim Nust Chairperson calls for informed decision-making, Leake Hangala, Technology (Nust) Council Chairperson

Staff Writer INTERIM Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) Council Chairperson, Leake Hangala has called upon the board and management to make informed decisions without wasting time. Hangala was appointed interim Nust Council Chairperson by the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI), Itah Kandjii-Murangi on July 13 and will serve until a substantive board is inaugurated. The previous Nust Council’s term ended a month ago. The Council has been embroiled in governance issues with the management of the university as well as the Higher Education Minister Kandjii-Murangi. Hangala, an astute businessman with experience in governance is deputised…

08 Aug

Foreign Investment Act is outdated: Iipumbu

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja MINISTER of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu says Namibia’s Foreign Investment Act is out of date and does not accommodate modern investment dynamics such as innovation and sustainable investment. Iipumbu made these statements during the Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill Stakeholders Consultation in Windhoek on Monday. She highlighted that the current legislation does not support realistic efforts that encourage the adoption of 4th Industrial Revolution-driven investments, nor will it sufficiently support future policy developments centered on Special Economic Zones, which aim to safeguard Namibia’s ability to attract investments. “The new investment policy regime will thus improve a…

08 Aug

Homosexuality is a call from God: Mushunina

National Newsanti-same-sex marriage Private Member’s Bill., Homosexuality is a call from God: Mushunina

Staff Writer JEREMIAH Mushunina has urged President Hage Geingob not to sign Swapo Parliamentarian and former Youth Minister, Jerry Ekandjo’s anti-same-sex marriage Private Member’s Bill. Mushunina became famous after he publicily outted a male pastor whom he was in a homosexual relationship with and was also one of the guest speakers at the Ondangwa anti-gay and same-sex marriage rally. Mushunina stated in a video extensively circulated on social media that homosexuality is a “call from God,” and that no one should deceive the public by attempting to come clean while interacting with people who engage in the practice. “I was…

08 Aug

Prioritise funding entrepreneurship over social grants: Sheehama

National NewsPrioritise funding entrepreneurship over social grants: Sheehama

Martin Endjala INDEPENDENT bank researcher and economist, Josef Sheehama says one way to alleviate teenage unemployment is to foster entrepreneurship rather than focusing solely on social grants, as some people advocate. Sheehama told Windhoek Observer that entrepreneurial support appears to be a successful approach because it can lead to enhanced economic inclusion, less assistance dependency, and stronger social cohesion of forcibly displaced people throughout their displacement cycle. “Despite increased coverage of social grants and well-developed social security, poverty in Namibia has historically been high. Monthly grants can greatly improve conditions; nevertheless, they will not provide the same level of support…

08 Aug

Zhong Mei fights for N$33m garnished by NamRa

National NewsBank of Namibia, NamRA, Standard Bank, Zhong Mei fights for N$33m garnished by NamRa

Staff Reporter Zhong Mei Engineering Group has dragged Namra, Standard Bank, Bank of Namibia, and the finance minister to the High Court over N$33m garnished from its account as unpaid tax for 2013 and 2018. The company says Namra instructed Standard Bank to deduct N$33, 031, 543.04 from its account on 12 July 2023 as unpaid tax. According to Zhong Mei, Namra ordered the garnishing order while negotiations to pay off the debt were going on between the parties. The company offered to pay N$2m once off and settle the rest in instalments. Jiang Chong Yaun, who represented Zhong Mei,…

08 Aug

Convicted rapist, Krylov commits suicide in prison

National NewsAnna Engelbrecht, Convicted rapist, Krylov commits suicide in prison

Niël Terblanché ALEXANDER Krylov, a Walvis Bay resident, who began serving a 35-year prison sentence in March of this year, committed suicide at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility. Krylov and his co-accused, Anna Engelbrecht, were sentenced to 35 years and 20 years in jail, respectively, in March this year after being convicted of rape and human trafficking. Krylov was found guilty on 10 charges of rape, ten counts of human trafficking, and one count of giving cigarettes to children under the age of 18, while Engelbrecht was found guilty on three counts of rape and five counts of human trafficking.…