National News – Page 444

04 Aug

Namibia’s trade balloons in first six months

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlex Shimuafeni Namibia, Namibia’s trade activities increased from January to June 2022, Namibia’s trade balloons in first six months

Tujoromajo Kasuto Namibia’s trade activities increased from January to June 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021, with cumulative total trade of import and exports standing at N$107 billion by June 2022, a noticeable 46.1 percent increase from N$73.2 billion in June 2021, accordingto the latest statistics from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Mining and quarrying products were the most valuable exported goods in June 2022, accounting for 47.1 percent of total exports, with a value of N$3.8 billion, up from N$2billion in May 2022, according to NSA’s Namibia Trade Statistics Bulletin for June 2022. The Manufacturing industry…

04 Aug

Poaching in national parks decrease

info_e12wt4csNational News24 black rhinos and 9 white rhinos, 33 rhinos poached in Namibia, Forestry and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Romeo Muyunda

Staff Wrter The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has noted that since strengthening its wildlife protection strategies in National Parks, poaching has decreased there. However, spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said that poachers appears to have shifted their focus to custodianship farms and private farms with white rhinos. “To date we have a recorded 33 rhinos poached in Namibia, 24 black rhinos and 9 white rhinos. This year’s poaching cases include nine (9) rhinos poached in custodianship farms, another 9 on private farms and 15 in the Etosha National Park. Namibia has recorded 44 rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020,…

04 Aug

Amupanda walks away from FIMA

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAffirmative Repositioning, Amupanda walks away from FIMA, TUCNA

Tujoromajo Kasuto Job Amupanda, the leader of Affirmative Repositioning movement, has resigned from the Financial Institutions and Markets Act of 2021 (FIMA) Technical Committee, claiming that Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi is conspiring behind closed doors to force him out. The chief AR activist was nominated by TUCNA as an academic consultant on behalf of the federation to the committee. Amupanda is alleging that the Finance Minister is putting pressure on TUCNA Secretary General Mahongora Kavihuha, to recall him. Amupanda claims in a letter to Shiimi today that the minister only appointed him under coercion and not on his own volition.…

04 Aug

Public trust declines in vaccines

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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

info_e12wt4csNational 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…