Observer Money – Page 187 – Windhoek Observer

02 Jun

Agribusdev boss suspended

ObserverObserver MoneyAgricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev), Namibia Farm Workers Union (NAFWU)

Staff Writer Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) board has placed the company’s Managing Director, Petrus Uugwanga on suspension pending the completion of an investigation into various allegations leveled against the company. “Yes, we have suspended him and this was done today (Monday),” Board Chairperson, Sophie Kasheeta told the Windhoek Observer. The suspension, which will still see Uugwanga retaining his salary and benefits, is aimed at allowing the board to institute a thorough investigation into the government agency. Agribusdev has struggled to meet its role of improving the country’s food security. “We are carrying out an investigation to get the facts…

02 Jun

No blame game for Fishrot – Speaker

ObserverObserver MoneyPeter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, has refused to apportion blame on himself and members of parliament (MPs) for allowing fishy amendments to the Marine Resources Act to pass through parliament under their watch. Amendments to the Act gave former Fisheries Minister, Bernard Esau, exclusive power to issue fishing quotas, which later gave way to what became nationally known as Fishrot, after several individuals, including Esau and former Justice Minister, Sacky Shanghala were implicated in a money laundering scheme worth over N$150 million. Katjavivi told the Windhoek Observer that any law brought before parliament is brought in…

31 May

PAY lends helping hand during Covid-19 crises

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, FirstRand Namibia Foundation CSI, Physically Active Youth (PAY)

Staff Writer Physically Active Youth (PAY) has reach a total of 353 people in 55 households with food and toiletry packages as part of their outreach program carried out during the Covid-19 lockdown. “The support and resources to power this project are drawn from both corporate and individual support as well as local and international support. We are grateful for the support we received towards our community outreach programme that has ensured the continued engagement and reach of our beneficiaries and their families,” Thuba from PAY said. Revonia Kahivere, FirstRand Namibia Foundation CSI Manager expressed her gratitude that PAY has…

31 May

Vessel crew to be repatriated

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Government

Staff Writer Government says foreign nationals from the passenger cruise liner which docked at the port of Walvis Bay on Friday will all be repatriated to their countries and not allowed uncontrolled entry into Namibia. They will not pose any threat to on-going government efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The Carnival Fascination passenger cruise liner was finally allowed to dock at the port of Walvis Bay on Friday after days of being refused permission to do so. The development saw over 189 crew members made up of Zimbabwean and Namibian nationals being allowed to disembark…

31 May

Govt in jobs for quotas deal

ObserverObserver MoneyAlbert Kawana, Fisheries Minister, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi The government has entered into a job for fishing quotas agreement with six companies on condition they absorb over 1,300 unemployed fishermen. The unnamed companies are set to benefit from 19850 metric tons of horse mackerel and 5816 metric tons of hake broken into weight and freezer as part of the agreement struck. Although additional details remain sketchy, the agreement is aimed at creating additional capacity for the six companies, allowing them to absorb employees who lost their jobs as a result of the Fishrot scandal. “The 1,300 jobs are ready for absorption. This consists of six companies…

29 May

GIPF adequately funded for any eventualities

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) says it’s in a position to pay all pension benefits due to its members in the public service in the event government considers retrenchment as a means to save on its ballooning wage bill. This comes as Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi in his maiden budget statement on Wednesday raised concern about the unsustainable government wage bill in light of declining revenues. “In the event that government decides to retrench members of the public service we are in a position to honour any accumulated liabilities due to members. The Fund has adequate assets…

29 May

Shangula confirms Haufiku’s role

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Dr Bernard Haufiku, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula

Andrew Kathindi Dr Bernard Haufiku, former Minister of Health in the first Geingob Administration has had his appointment as the National Coordinator for the response to COVID-19 confirmed after current Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula stated that Haufiku was a part of the team making decisions about the country’s response. Earlier this month, Windhoek Observer reported that Haufiku, without a written letter of appointment, was in limbo over his appointment following his decreased visibility at press conferences regarding COVID-19 updates. On the matter of Haufiku, Shangula said, “Bernard Haufiku was appointed as a Special Health Advisor by President Hage Geingob. He…

29 May

Govt imposes lockdown on Walvis Bay

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, Walvis Bay

...as the country moves to Stage 3 Andrew Kathindi Visitors and residents of Walvis Bay are now stuck in the coastal town for the next seven days after government in a surprise move placed the coastal town under Stage 1 of the lockdown effective Thursday. The developments follows a 63-year-old Walvis Bay fisherman and a 47-year-old male truck driver becoming recent national COVID-19 cases and means only essential workers with permits will be allowed to leave the town during the imposed lockdown. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula said that implemented measures were aimed at preventing the further…

28 May

Beer, wine drinkers to pay more

ObserverObserver MoneyBeer, Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance

Staff writer Wine and beer lovers who have been unable to purchase or consume their alcoholic beverages of choice as a result of state of emergency regulations will face higher prices for their drinks of choice on June 3rd when stage three of the post-pandemic re-opening of Namibia begins. This comes after Minister of Finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, on Wednesday announced the 2020/2021 budget containing additional ‘sin taxes’ on alcohol and tobacco to raise money for depleted state coffers. This will be of interest to those that have been unable to purchase alcohol since the nation went into the state of…

28 May

Nam students unpaid in Cuba amidst pandemic

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Namibian medical students, University of Havana (Universidad de Sciencias Médicas)

Andrew Kathindi Namibian medical students at the University of Havana (Universidad de Sciencias Médicas) have lamented the non-payment of their monthly allowances by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. There are 238 students involved in this situation. According to several students at the University who choose to speak out anonymously, they last received a stipend late in March, which was supposed to cover only February and March. The students are supposed to receive a monthly stipend of US$350 paid quarterly. “They paid for two months only at the rate of US$1=N$14.7 (February’s rate).…