Observer Money – Page 195 – Windhoek Observer

29 Jul

COVID-19 claims another victim

ObserverObserver MoneyHealth Minister Shangula Kalumbi, Windhoek

…as virus unleashes on Windhoek Andrew Kathindi COVID-19 has claimed another victim as the death toll rises. This brings the death toll to nine in the country as the virus continues to spiral upwards. There are concerns about government’s ability to clamp down on the trend. “I am reporting a COVID-19 related death from Walvis Bay. A 44 year-old female presented to Walvis Bay State Hospital on 21st July 2020 with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. She had other chronic medical conditions. She was tested while on admission and the results came out positive. Her condition gradually deteriorated and we lost…

29 Jul

Govt’s loan repayment dilemma

ObserverObserver MoneyCirrus Securities Economist, Eurobond, IMF, Robert McGregor

Staff Writer Namibia’s plan to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help finance its N$21.4 billion deficit could create a repayment predicament if the N$4.5 billion loan is granted. This comes as it emerged that the majority of government debt maturities lie in the next few years, with the first Eurobond maturing in late 2021. “The timeline for repayment is the only real area of any concern, being in 3¼ to 5 years – right between Namibia’s two Eurobond maturities and with a public debt profile where the majority of maturities lie in the next few years. Overall,…

29 Jul

Community transmission cases emerge

ObserverObserver MoneyMinister of Health Kalumbi Shangula, Windhoek

… as cases force organications to close Andrew Kathindi The Minister of Health Kalumbi Shangula has warned that community cases without known contacts or travel history have started popping up around the country. “This means that people are becoming infected in their localities, during their everyday activities,” he said. Shangula said behavioral change was the only solution that can allow the spread of the virus to be contained in community transmission cases. “It is time for all Namibians to change our behaviors and do everything we can to reduce our risk. We have seen in Walvis Bay how serious the…

29 Jul

CRAN upholds decision on CoW licence

ObserverObserver MoneyCRAN, MTC, Paratus, Windhoek

Staff Writer The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on Tuesday upheld its decision to award a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service Licence to the City of Windhoek. The telecommunication sector regulator has, however, imposed additional licence conditions to the CoW licence to address stakeholder concerns around fair competition and infrastructure sharing. This comes after Paratus and MTC among other telecommunication companies had objected to the award, resulting in them appealing the regulators decision. “After careful consideration of the various and valid observations and comments raised by stakeholders, CRAN upholds its decision of 29 April 2020, and awards the Municipal Council…

27 Jul

Shangula hits back at Haufiku

ObserverObserver MoneyBernard Haufiku, Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula

Andrew Kathindi A war of words has erupted between Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, and his predecessor, Bernard Haufiku, after the minister hit back at Haufiku’s comments recently made on how government had botched its COVID-19 response. In a recent interview with Windhoek Observer, Haufiku said that he had presented several scenarios to the Health ministry in April on how to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country; however, his suggestions were ignored. However, Shangula has not taken kindly to Haufiku’s claims, stating that the COVID-19 task team, which he heads as minister, was under no obligation to follow the…

27 Jul

Fire forces Govt to provide land

ObserverObserver MoneyWalvis Bay, Walvis Bay Mayor

Andrew Kathindi The rogue fire that ravaged the Walvis Bay township of Twaloloka on Sunday 26 July has forced government to allocate and service temporary land to the tune of N$20 million. Walvis Bay Mayor, Immanuel Wilfred, confirmed the development, which will see the local authority suspending some capital projects. These are projects the council is yet to decide on in order to fund the servicing of land on Farm 37, a new location that was launched in the coastal town last year. Farm 37 was identified in 2016 by the Walvis Bay and Erongo regional councils as a solution…

24 Jul

Shipena’s transfer backlash unfounded – Noa

ObserverObserver MoneyExecutive Director, Hannu Shipena, McHenry Venaani, Paulus Noa, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Andrew Kathindi Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director General, Paulus Noa says that backlash over the transfer of its Executive Director, Hannu Shipena, is misplaced. This week’s surprise reassignment is the prerogative of the appointing authority says Noa. It has nothing to do with the substantive work of the corruption watchdog. Secretary to the Cabinet, George Simataa announced yesterday the appointment of new Executive Directors and the transfer of others to new posts. Those involved included Tylvas Shilongo from the Namibia Central Intelligence Service who was appointed Executive Director of the ACC, replacing Shipena. The decision was met with criticism by Popular…

24 Jul

Omaheke CRO suspension lifted

ObserverObserver MoneyChief Regional Officer (CRFO) Maria Vaendwanawa, Omaheke Regional Council

Staff Writer This week, the Omaheke Regional Council lifted the suspension of Chief Regional Officer (CRFO) Maria Vaendwanawa. She will resume her duties on 3 August. Vaendwanawa was suspended last year. This followed allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the regional council. According to the regional council's chairperson, Ignatius Kariseb, the decision to lift the suspension was taken on 22 July. This followed a labour commission hearing. “I can confirm that her suspension has been lifted. We still await the ministry’s investigation to be finalized. Since the investigation was done by the ministry, we still need to see the report…

24 Jul

Foreign trained medical graduates fail again

ObserverObserver MoneyMedical and Dental Councils Board Exams, MoHSS

Andrew Kathindi Most of the foreign-trained medical graduates who took exams for internships earlier this year failed. This re-assessment was taken two years after only two out of 240 foreign-trained Namibian graduates passed the earlier Medical and Dental Councils Board Exams. “433 foreign-trained medical graduates sat for the internship exam in 2020; 27 passed,” Director of Human Resources in the Health Ministry, Joyce Shatilwe, confirmed to Windhoek Observer. She further noted that “those who failed registered with the MoHSS for an orientation program that the Ministry has initiated. So far 277 have registered and we are anticipating kicking off in…

24 Jul

Local venture uplifts Nauaspoort, Groot Aub communities

ObserverObserver MoneyCrewfield Investments, Groot Aub, Nauaspoort

Staff Writer A local business entity, Crewfield Investments has pledged to establish community gardening projects and a medical centre which will uplift the Nauaspoort and Groot Aub communities. Crewfield Investments Chief Operating Officer, Honest Madzivadondo speaking after meeting Windhoek Rural Constituency Councillor Penina Inga-Iita on Wednesday to discuss the two projects, said him and his partners plan to construct a health centre in Groot Aub area as well as encourage food production in Nauaspoort through gardening projects. “It is so painful to observe that millions of dollars are being spent on food imports in the process thus tempering with employment…