National News – Page 467 – Windhoek Observer

15 May

Innovative technology needed for economic growth

National News

Martin Endjala The recently concluded Fintech Square 2023 innovation event in Windhoek which ended on 11 May 2023, is hailed as a game changer in particular in the public sector that is mainly dominated by young people. For this reason, the Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Enterprise Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said that requires there is a need for innovation and technology to drive economic growth, due to changing financial landscape, therefore, emphasizing the need for cooperation to support such innovation. “In this regard, public-private partnership is key not only to support and create an enabling environment but also to protect…

15 May

Alternative candidates were contacted as replacement – NCS

National NewsAlternative candidates were contacted as replacement - NCS

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it contacted some candidates as an alternative to replace those who did not make it to the training for various reasons. Namibian Correctional Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Salmi Hangula said candidates who were contacted to join the training at the later stage are those that were part of the waiting list. She said this in response to allegations that the last NCS recruitment process that took place in January was not fair and equitable. “They were called to replace candidates who were selected but did not report for training, those who…

15 May

Namibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

National NewsNamibian economy hurt by rumours of weapons sale

Niël Terblanché The Namibian economy is set to feel severe negative effects of geopolitical tensions after the Namibian Dollar lost significant ground against the United States Dollar after rumours surfaced last week that South Africa sold weapons to Russia to aid the country in its special military operation in Ukraine. The Namibian Dollar which is pegged to the South African Rand weakened to over N$19 against the US Dollar after remarks made by Reuben Brigety, the American Ambassador to South Africa, about the purported weapons sale last week. Brigety in a widely broadcasted interview said he would bet his life…

15 May

Endjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

National NewsEndjala asks for softer action againstelectricity customers in arrears

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Erginus Endjala, the Governor of Omusati, has urged Nampower to consider less drastic measures than cutting off electricity supply to customers that have defaulted on outstanding debt. Endjala made this statement following last week’s announcement by Namibia Power Corporation Limited (NamPower) that it would suspend electricity to defaulting customers from June 5 unless the outstanding overdue amounts are settled. “We have to look at all factors in this situation that could be affected by the load shedding. One thing we have to look at is that this electricity supplies also households, schools, clinics and so forth. If for…

15 May

Poor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

National NewsPoor performance of Ruacana hydropower plant hikes electricity costs

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board Chief Executive Officer Robert Kahimise blamed the underperformance of the Ruacana Hydro Power Plant as one of many contributing factors to the high cost of electricity imports, which leads to a higher tariff under-recovery. The CEO made this remark during the announcement of ECB’s revision of bulk electricity tariffs last week Friday in Windhoek. He said that the electricity that was not generated at Ruacana as anticipated during the previous period was replaced by imports at a higher cost. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and relevant government stakeholders will soon engage their Angolan…

15 May

Collection of chronic medication made easier

National News

Martin Endjala Long queues and unbearable waiting hours are a thing of the past, as patients on chronic medication can now collect their medicines via Pelebox. The new service is available to all eligible patients with controlled viral loads for example, at the discretion of their health doctors or practitioners and will be accessible at 19 public health facilities countrywide. This is according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services Chief Clinical Mentor, Jacques Kamangu, during a talk show on National TV this week. The Pelebox will be officially launched next week Tuesday at the Katutura Intermediate State Hospital…

15 May

Selfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

National NewsSelfless sacrifice keeps the nation healthy

Niël Terblanché Namibia joined the rest of the world in honouring nurses for their sacrifice and selfless dedication to the health and well-being of people everywhere. President Hage Geingob in a special message on behalf of all Namibians said that everyone recognises the extraordinary contributions of Namibian nurses in the national healthcare system. International Nurses Day was commemorated on Friday under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future.” International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on 12 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. The day recognises nurses’ contributions to healthcare…

12 May

Seibeb says Uutoni has no mental capacity

National News

Stefanus Nashama Landless People’s Movement Member of Parliament, Henny Seibeb, says Urban and Rural Development Minister, Erastus Uutoni has no mental capacity to analyse and investigate before writing a letter to the Mayor of Keetmanshoop. The Parliamentarian made these remarks yesterday at a press conference in response to Minister Uutoni who apparently wrote a letter on 5 May to the Keetmanshoop Municipality, in which he allegedly claimed the Council has allocated unserviced land to the residents. Seibeb said the Minister has relied on rumours and gossip in writing a letter, “he has no evidence that unserviced land was distributed”. “Uutoni…

12 May

PM given 25 days to resolve the mass housing conundrum

National News

The Popular Democratic Movement and Official Opposition leader, Mchenry Venaani, has given Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila 25 days to resolve the issue of 890 unoccupied houses that were built as part of the mass housing program dating back seven years ago. Venaani said yesterday that failure to respond to the letter issued on the of 20th July 2022, will prompt the PDM and other progressive forces to demonstrate and even to take up arms in solidarity. He said that not allocating these 890 vacant houses to families in dire need, warrants a direct violation of Article 8 (2) (b) of…

12 May

Cloven-hoofed animals must be supplied south of the Red Line

National News

Stefanus Nashama Popular Democratic Movement Leader, McHenry Venaani, has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein to speed up the process of targeted interventions and modalities for cloven-hoofed animals to be supplied south of the veterinary cordon fence also known as the Red Line. Venaani said this is appropriate to ensure that veterinary facilities such as quarantine facilities and all related agricultural infrastructure and architecture are of the necessary quality to provide farmers north of the Red Line with the necessary access to the lucrative markets available to farmers to the south of the line.…