Uncategorised – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

12 May

Robust petroleum policy must benefit all Namibians

ObserverNational News, Uncategorised

Niël Terblanché The development of a sturdy National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy and eventual implementation thereof will enable Namibians from all walks of life to participate in the country’s exciting hydrocarbon future. Local Content Policies (LCP) have become a key priority of host governments and industry players alike. Increasingly more resource-rich developing countries are enacting local content legislation as a means of maximising the benefits to be gained from petroleum and other industries. Given this reality, the Namibian Government have equally decided to adopt this instrument with the objective to increase local participation in the value chain of goods…

11 May

Namibia records its first digital nomads

ObserverUncategorised

Martin Endjala Namibia officially recorded its first digital nomads, five months after the official launch of the country’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) in October last year. The first two digital nomads’ visa applications were approved on 14 February 2023. The programme was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Security and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), with the aim of enhancing economic activity in the country. The program aims to capitalise on the growing global remote workforce by offering location-independent foreign professionals the chance to live, work, and experience Namibia for up to six months.…

10 May

Chinese Lithium miner challenges license revocation in court

ObserverUncategorised

Niël Terblanché Chinese lithium miner, Xinfeng Investments, has approached the High Court of Namibia with an urgent application to stop the Ministry of Mines and Energy from enforcing its decision to revoke its mining license. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, at the end of last week, informed the head of the mining company, Zhou Hao, of his decision to revoke Mining License 243 situated in the Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) 7228 area near the small desert settlement of Uis. “Consequent to the afore decision, you are instructed to cease any and all operations related to the granting…

02 May

Persistent human-wildlife conflicts prompt national conference

ObserverUncategorised

Stefanus Nashama Following the continuous and more severe reports of human-wildlife conflict in the country, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said it will host a National Conference on human-wildlife conflict engagement next week. The Conference will take place in Windhoek, from 10 to 12 May, at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration (NIPAM). According to the Ministry Spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, the conference will review progress, opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the 2018 revised National Policy on human-wildlife conflict management. It will further discuss the specific prevention, protection and investigation strategies for specific species and specific areas…

26 Apr

Mutorwa commits to road safety

ObserverUncategorisedMutorwa commits to road safety

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, says that road safety is meant to change the behaviour of road users and that progress made so far to make it so should not be allowed to regress. It is for this very reason that he has committed to ensuring that road safety in the country is of the highest order and not to turn Namibia’s roads into a killing zone. “As long as I am here, we will continue making progress as we carry on the work already done by my previous colleague for the sake of making…

24 Apr

Late applications delay telecommunication permits

ObserverUncategorised

Martin Endjala The issuing of telecommunication permits, better known as Type Approval Certificates, has been delayed because business owners did not apply on time or prior to the importation date of their goods, especially the orders of vendors. Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) Executive Communication and Consumer Relations, Katrina Sikeni responding to questions on issuing permits and concerns about delays said that the duration to process of Type Approval certification is dependent on the type of equipment and the completeness of the application form and supporting documentation submitted. “However, in the instance that the application form is complete and…

20 Apr

Amupanda’s battle for red line removal continues

ObserverUncategorised

Stefanus Nashama The fight for the removal of the veterinary cordon fence, also known as the red line, by Affirmative Repositioning Leader Job Amupanda continues in the Windhoek High Court, with the matter being postponed to 29 June 2023. Yesterday, Amupanda’s Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo told this publication shortly after he appeared in court that the case was pushed for the hearing for leave to appeal by the Meat Board of Namibia and for protective cost by Amupanda. About two years ago, Amupanda dragged government to the High Court, charging that it is hypocritical for it to stand in his way…

19 Apr

Imalwa’s training for Magistrates receives criticism

ObserverUncategorisedImalwa’s training for Magistrates receives criticism

Niël Terblanché A course on anti-money laundering, attended by Magistrates and Prosecutors from across the country did not sit well with legal experts, who questioned the authenticity of the Judiciary’s independence and separation of powers. The course, which kicked off on Monday was organized by the Office of the Prosecutor General. The decline in the separation of powers between officials who preside over Magistrate’s Courts and the Prosecuting authority as well as the lack of monitoring of norms and standards of justice meted out in the country’s lower courts was put in the spotlight when the Prosecutor General of Namibia…

06 Apr

Only five percent of Namibians can afford legal costs

ObserverUncategorisedOnly five percent of Namibians can afford legal costs

Martin Endjala Staggering statistics by Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform, Calle Schleittwein suggest that only five percent of Namibians can afford legal costs.The Minister said that these statistics do not paint a good picture of the government, particularly when it continues to regulate, fine and criminalise people that contravene the laws of the land. “We continue making more regulations and we criminalise them and when punished these people are left to pay for extremely expensive legal costs,” the minister said. The Minister shared these sentiments yesterday during the parliament session where he argued that these legal costs have…

01 May

NEFF’s action a bold class conscious progressive step in support of workers

ObserverUncategorisedNEFF, NEFF’s action a bold class conscious progressive step in support of workers

Only after the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) raised the illegal employment of some Chinese nationals boldly by entering the premises of Cheetah Cement were these nationals deported. It is any wonder if the NEFF had not taken the bold action they did, if this matter would have come to the attention of the authorities that be, let alone if it would eventually have culminated in the deportation of the said workers? Not only this but this company is supposed to be operating under Namibian laws has been violating the very laws of its host countries without impunity. This goes…