Observer Money

Thousands of learners to show-up for classes

Thousands of learners to show-up for classes

Andrew Kathindi Ministry of Education expects over 49,000 learners to return to schools around the country on Wednesday when they re-open under the country’s Stage 3 lifting of the State of Emergency. This comes as the ministry has so far spent N$58 million in sanitation and cleaning costs, in preparation for the day the classroom doors open again. The initial group of returning students comprise of grades 11 and 12. They will attend face-to-face classes, with students split into smaller groups, making use of the empty classrooms. This will ensure ample social spacing for each lesson. “If there are 40…
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WHK informal settlements to get electricity

WHK informal settlements to get electricity

Staff Writer NamPower and the City of Windhoek have signed a “Project Development and Transfer Agreement on the Electrification of Peri-urban Areas in the Municipality of Windhoek.” The project will be funded by NamPower to the tune of N$15.5 million as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), aims to electrify 1,000 households in peri-urban areas of Windhoek. “According to this agreement, NamPower is committing to contribute to the improvement of the lives of communities living in peri-urban areas, in and around Windhoek, by providing electricity to one thousand (1,000) households, as part of NamPower’s corporate social investment,” NamPower Managing…
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De Beers donates to the Ministry of Education

De Beers donates to the Ministry of Education

Staff Writer De Beers Group has donated a consignment of hand sanitizers and facemasks to the Office of the Prime Minister, for onward distribution to the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture. The donation is part of De Beers Group’s N$15 million in-kind donation that it pledged to the Government’s Disaster Relief Fund to fight COVID19. The donation to the Ministry consists of 7,500 facemasks and 5,000 300ml containers of hand sanitizers. The facemasks were made by a community business initiative in Keetmanshoop, while the hand sanitizers were produced by UNAM. “We are delighted to play our part in…
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Agribusdev boss suspended

Agribusdev boss suspended

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…
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No blame game for Fishrot – Speaker

No blame game for Fishrot – Speaker

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…
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PAY lends helping hand during Covid-19 crises

PAY lends helping hand during Covid-19 crises

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…
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Vessel crew to be repatriated

Vessel crew to be repatriated

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…
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Govt in jobs for quotas deal

Govt in jobs for quotas deal

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…
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GIPF adequately funded for any eventualities

GIPF adequately funded for any eventualities

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…
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Shangula confirms Haufiku’s role

Shangula confirms Haufiku’s role

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…
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