National Council – Windhoek Observer

19 Sep

ECN assures no interference in counting of votes by Swapo

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has assured the public and all political parties that the governing Swapo Party will not interfere with the counting of votes at polling stations in November. Paulus Mbangu, a member of the National Council, expressed concern about remarks made by Swapo’s secretary general Sophia Shaningwa at the party manifesto launch last weekend. “The SG cannot be the spokesperson of the ECN. Her remarks sound like she is giving orders to ECN, which is not good in democracy. Who gave the party SG the power to speak on the ECN's behalf? Because announcements…

09 Aug

Senior Govt employees barred from electioneering

ObserverNational NewsExecutive Directors, National Assembly, National Council, Senior Govt employees barred from electioneering

Staff Writer CABINET Secretary, George Simataa says government employees in managerial positions are not allowed to participate in political activities that promote political party ideas. Simataa released a public service management circular on Tuesday addressed to the National Assembly, Executive Directors, National Council, Chief Electoral Officer, Regional Councils, labour unions, and other government-affiliated organisations. According to the Public Service Act (Act No. 13 of 1995), government employees in management positions are not permitted to preside over public political meetings that promote political party ideas. Simataa’s proclamation follows media reports on senior government officials who are said to be seeking senior…

17 Aug

Lack of funds halt many projects in Kavango West

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Lack of funds halt many projects in Kavango West, National Council, President Hifikepunye Pohamba

Staff Writer The construction of the Nkurenkuru Intermediate Hospital in the Kavango West Region has been on hold for eight years since its ground breaking ceremony which was done by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba in early November 2014. Ministry of Health and Social Services executive director Ben Nangombe said the availability of funds has affected the implementation of the hospital project. “The district hospital has been put on hold; the process had started but due to financial constrains the construction of the regional hospital could not take place. The availability of funds to implement these capital projects has affected that…

31 May

Call to review fuel levy regime

ObserverNational NewsCall to review fuel levy regime, Harald Kambrude, National Council, Paulus Mbangu

Martin Endjala Several member of the National Council has expressed deep regret about the fuel price increase that was announced today by the Ministry of Mines and Energy ministry. The price of petrol will increase by N$2.50 per litre and diesel by N$1.50. The MP said the increase will put more pressure on household which are already struggling to survive. Paulus Mbangu said during his budget motivation of the Ministry of Mines and Energy today in the National Council that an alternative has to be looked at to relief people from the burden of fuel increases. Among other things, he…

21 May

NC appeals for MURD’s budgetary increment

ObserverNational NewsCouncilor Andreas Uutoni, National Council, NC appeals for MURD’s budgetary increment

Martin Endjala Several members of the National Council session on Wednesday appealed to the Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, for an increase in the budgetary appropriation of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development(MURD) for regional councils to take care of their duties. This comes after a one billion allocation to the MURD, which is also tasked with land development in the country. Paulus Mbangu, pointed out that the N$20 million sanitation budgetary allocation is not enough all 121 constituencies in the country adding that besides for the 572 toilets that have been completed so far, there is still a need…