Observer Money – Page 217

09 Jun

NSFAF owed N$2.8 billion

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNSFAF

Andrew Kathindi The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) said that it is still owed N$2.8 billion in loan repayments from past beneficiaries. This announcement comes as NSFAF has allocated a budget of N$244 million for the purchase of mobile devices and laptops. These devices are needed for vulnerable students to have access to e-learning. “There is a data integrity project we are running that is in entering its final stage. So far, the data indicated by the records is that N$2.8 billion is outstanding from former recipients. That tells you that there is a lot of funds that need…

05 Jun

Germany continues support for COVID-19 testing in Namibia

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Germany, MoHSS, Namibia

Staff Writer Rapidly identifying infections with the novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial to enable immediate outbreak management and to initiate public health interventions. Germany therefore supports the development of testing capacities for COVID-19 in Namibia. After a first diagnostic laboratory training in Windhoek in the beginning of March the German partners continue to provide critical testing materials like swabs and reagents. This has enabled the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) to conduct more than 2,000 tests in Namibia so far. This support is based on a recently established working relationship as part of a twinning project between the Robert…

05 Jun

I have done nothing wrong – Shiyuka

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAmos Shiyuka, Community Security Solutions Namibia (CSS), Namibian Police Force, NAMPOL

Staff Writer The Windhoek Observer (WO) recently caught up with businessman and Community Security Solutions Namibia (CSS) Managing Director, Amos Shiyuka (AS) regarding fraud charged laid against him by the Namibian Police Force (Nampol), amid allegations of price inflating. Below is an excerpt of the interview. WO: Have you been formally charged or questioned by the police regarding accusations of fraud that have been lodged against you and your company? AS: No, at this point there have been no formal charges laid nor have I been formally questioned. WO: Could you give reasons for the discrepancy between the contract price…

05 Jun

Drama in Parliament as Geingob delivers SONA

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHarambee Prosperity Plan, Ministers, Parliament, president Hage Geingob, State of the Nation Address (SONA)

Staff Writer It was an eventful day in Parliament when President Hage Geingob delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday. The address unlike his previous addresses during his first administration did not go as smoothly, as opposition parties in Parliament interrupted him. At one stage, the President took his seat while the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi brought the house to order. In his address, the President said he was aware of the challenges currently faced by Namibians due to the negative impact of COVID-19. “Fellow Namibians, I share in your anxieties. I understand…

02 Jun

WHK informal settlements to get electricity

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower

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…

02 Jun

De Beers donates to the Ministry of Education

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, De Beers Group

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…

31 May

PAY lends helping hand during Covid-19 crises

info_e12wt4csObserver 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…

29 May

GIPF adequately funded for any eventualities

info_e12wt4csObserver 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

info_e12wt4csObserver 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

info_e12wt4csObserver 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…