Observer Money – Page 204

29 Jan

I am tired – Jooste

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLeon Jooste, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Public Enterprises minister

Maria Hamutenya Public Enterprises minister, Leon Jooste says he is tired of seeing public enterprises being dragged to court due to governance failures that can easily be prevented. The minister’s frustrations come as the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) joined the growing list of public enterprises that have been taken to court over various transgressions. “I will always be concerned when there's an aggrieved party due to any process that should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. I'm really tired of seeing Public Enterprises constantly being dragged to court, in particular when it's due to governance…

27 Jan

Schools get N$70m for sanitisers

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp

Maria Hamutenya Public and private schools have benefited from N$70 million availed by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture for the acquisition of sanitisers ahead of school opening this week, Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp has revealed. N$14 million was availed to private schools last December as a once-off grant, with N$56 million dispersed to the ministry’s regional offices this year to assist public schools in implementing COVID-19 measures. “Almost N$ 70 million was allocated by the Ministry of Education to different schools to help fight the spread of Covid-19,” Steenkamp said. The ministry will, however, no longer avail masks…

27 Jan

Healthcare workers threaten strike

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHealth Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, PSUN Secretary General, Ujama Kaahangoro

Andrew Kathindi The Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) has threatened to rally healthcare workers this Thursday (28 January) to leave their work until the matter of risk allowance is resolved. Health minister, Kalumbi Shangula, earlier this month revealed that over 1300 healthcare workers have been infected by COVID-19, with six deaths from the sector. “Healthcare workers were also forced to perform duties without the necessary personal protective equipment (PPEs). If the government is not recognising them, why should they have to avail themselves and to risk their lives any further? And that is what we are going to do.…

26 Jan

A year required for Windhoek land resolution

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyPopular Democratic Movement (PDM)

Maria Hamutenya The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says the newly installed City of Windhoek Council councillors required between six months to a year for them to deliver on promises made to the voting populace regarding land and service delivery in the capital. PDM Secretary-General Manuel Ngaringombe said the coalition partners just won the opportunity to rule the City of Windhoek two months ago. As such they should be given more time to discuss the way forward and find viable solutions and the resources to finance them. “Give these people a chance to deliver, at least six to 12 months, if…

26 Jan

Govt ponders fishing quota auction decision …as committee drags its feet

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Finance Ministry Spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu

Andrew Kathindi Government is pondering its next move with regards to the auctioning of its governmental fishing quotas after a paltry return and disorganized process in the previous effort held in August last year. This comes after the technical committee, which was set up by Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, to guide the government on the possibility of future auctions, is still to offer its recommendation. The committee has not presented its findings nearly a month after the start of the horse mackerel season and three months after the start of the hake fishing season. “The technical committee is still finalizing…

22 Jan

MTC to finally list

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), MTC Chief Executive Officer Dr Licky Erastus, Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX)

Staff Writer Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) on Wednesday announced that it will finally list on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) before the 5th of September 2021 after its initial plans were derailed by the outbreak of COVID-19. This comes as government approved the process in November 2017. According to its initially announced timelines, MTC was expected to be listed on the bourse by July last year, after having submitted its listing application to the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) in February 2020. The opening date for its public offer was set for March 2020 and closing in June 2020. “We are…

22 Jan

Labour Commission powerless on Shoprite non-compliance

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLabour Commissioner Henri Kassen, Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), Shoprite, Shoprite Group

Andrew Kathindi Labour Commissioner Henri Kassen said his office’s hands are tied when it comes to enforcing a Labour Court ruling which unions and Shoprite group employees have accused the retail giant of contravening, as it is outside his jurisdiction. According to the court order delivered on 8 January, Shoprite is not permitted to employ seasonal workers or let other employees do the work of those that are on strike. However, Shoprite has hired seasonal employees, according to a spokesperson from the employee’s group. “The Labour Commissioner's office is not an enforcer for compliance of the law or the court…

21 Jan

COVID deaths surpass 300

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Kalumbi Shangula

Staff Writer Namibia has now surpassed the 300 mark for COVID-19 related deaths after five more people succumbed to the virus. Health and Social Services (MOHSS) minister, Kalumbi Shangula, announced the latest figures on Wednesday. The five fatalities were recorded in Windhoek, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay, becoming the second highest number of deaths ever recorded in the country in a single day since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year. The increase in fatalities, comes as positive cases continue to spike, with 258 new COVID-19 confirmed cases from 1 793 results received from the laboratories in the last 24 hours.…

21 Jan

Pressure mounts on Shoprite

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCheckers, Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), Shoprite, USave

Maria Hamutenya Pressure continues to mount on the Shoprite group over the ongoing wage saga with its workers after the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), the country’s largest union, called on its members to boycott buying from the retail giant. NUNW calls came after Labour Minister, Uutoni Nujoma, was recently reported in the media urging members of the public to stop buying from Shoprite stores until the company resolves the dispute with its employees. NUNW Secretary-General, Job Muniaro, called for “a genuine negotiation between Shoprite and its workers.” “We call for international support even from countries that have Shoprite…

21 Jan

ACC not investigating Defence Ministry

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyACC’s Director General Paulus Noa, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Minister of Defence Peter Vilho

Maria Hamutenya and Andrew Kathindi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said its not investigating any allegations of corruption at the Defence Ministry, including allegations of a shady N$10 million hand sanitizer deal, as no one has come forth with information. Windhoek Mayor Job Amupanda has raised various corruption allegations against Minister of Defence, Peter Vilho, including his alleged approval of a tender to supply the ministry with hand sanitiser worth N$10 million. ACC’s Director General, Paulus Noa, told Windhoek Observer that his office has not looked into the case. “We are not aware of any allegations made towards the Minister…