Observer – Page 144 – Windhoek Observer

23 Nov

New opportunities to deepen US trade and investment in Namibia open up

ObserverObserver MoneyNew opportunities to deepen US trade and investment in Namibia open up

Niël Terblanché New optimism about the future of Namibia's economic engagement with the United States of America has begun to manifest. The American Ambassador to Namibia, Ambassador Randy Berry, recently said that the United States of America is committed to strengthening trade and investment ties with Namibia and other African countries. Ambassador Berry stressed the importance of these partnerships for mutual prosperity and the significance of Africa's youthful population. "The United States is all in on Africa," Ambassador Berry declared, referencing the affirmation made during the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit last December. He emphasized the United States' focus on Africa's future…

23 Nov

NSFAF policies entrap unemployed youth in debt

ObserverNational NewsNSFAF policies entrap unemployed youth in debt

Stefanus Nashama In a passionate plea, Parliamentarian and Lawmaker Inna Hengari from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for a thorough review of the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) policies governing loan conditions for students. Hengari made this impassioned appeal during her recent parliamentary address, where she urged NSFAF to explore ways to incentivize loan beneficiaries to pursue entrepreneurship and job creation after completing their studies. According to her, the current six-month grace period for repaying NSFAF loans is inadequate and leads to a troubling situation where unemployed graduates find themselves burdened with debt shortly after receiving their…

23 Nov

Icelandic minister rejects Venaani’s demands on Samherji renewable energy funding

ObserverNational NewsIcelandic minister rejects Venaani’s demands on Samherji renewable energy funding

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Icelandic Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, has decisively turned down the proposal made by McHenry Venaani, the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), urging the Icelandic government to reconsider its plan to provide a 100 million Icelandic krona renewable energy grant to the Samherji Company. Venaani had written to Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir earlier this month, expressing concerns about the renewable energy grant offered to Samherji, a company allegedly involved in corrupt activities in Namibia’s fishing industry, now known as the fishrot scandal. In response, Thórdarson emphasized that Samherji’s grant application…

23 Nov

Otavi municipality dumpsite without Environmental Clearance Certificate

ObserverNational NewsOtavi municipality dumpsite without Environmental Clearance Certificate

Hertta- Maria Amutenja According to Namibia’s Auditor General Junias Kandjeke, the Otavi municipality’s dumpsite and sewerage pond lack an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The sad state of affairs was revealed in the Auditor General’s report on the town’s accounts for the financial years ending 30 June 2020 and 2021. Kandjeke said the town council failed to furnish ECC for both the dumpsite and the sewerage pond. “The auditors observed that the Council has a dumpsite and sewerage pond, however, no environmental clearance certificate could be provided,” he said The Auditor General said the town council neglected to allocate funds for…

23 Nov

Building plans valued at N$333 million were approved in October

ObserverNational NewsBuilding plans valued at N$333 million were approved in October

Martin Endjala In October, both Windhoek and Swakopmund municipalities approved a combined total of 268 building plans, with a prospective development value of N$333.2 million. This represents a 7.6 percent month-on-month decrease and a 19 percent year-on-year decline in approvals, while completed projects for the month reached 180. Simonis Storm Securities Economist, Halleluya Ndimulunde provided insights into the building statistics, highlighting that during October, the City of Windhoek approved 197 building plans, up by 22 from September, marking a monthly growth rate of 12.6 percent. This, however, also reflected a 29.6 percent decrease compared to October 2022. The total value…

23 Nov

Law enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

ObserverNational NewsLaw enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

Niël Terblanché As the festive season gets into full swing, law enforcement agencies in Namibia are poised to uphold their duty to protect and serve the public, striving to make the roads safer and promote a secure environment for all residents and visitors alike. As a result, these agencies in Namibia are gearing up and preparing to ensure public safety and security during a period traditionally associated with increased road accidents and other incidents. Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, during the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund, has urged all…

23 Nov

PM urges local authorities to play their role effectively

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has urged Local Authorities to play their roles effectively if the government is to succeed in realising its policy objective to promote highly sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development. She said Local Authorities are the first point of contact with the government by residents and businesses in urban areas as society is becoming increasingly urbanised. She made these remarks yesterday at the official opening of the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) and Namibia University Science Technology 2023 Good Governance, Leadership, and Project Management Training at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.…

23 Nov

SAM will assess the impact of employment in Namibia

ObserverNational NewsSAM will assess the impact of employment in Namibia

Niël Terblanché The recent introduction to Namibia of the new and innovative Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Model and the commitment to Employment Impact Assessment is a huge step towards enhancing employment opportunities, fostering economic growth, and ensuring a brighter future for the country’s workforce. The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Namibia Statistics Agency, has introduced the new SAM Model. This innovative model aims to assess the employment impact of existing and upcoming projects in Namibia, including the Green Hydrogen project and others. During the launch event, Lydia…

23 Nov

Concerns rise over radioactive pollution in Stampriet Artesian Basin

ObserverMainConcerns rise over radioactive pollution in Stampriet Artesian Basin

Niël Terblanché Concerns about potential radioactive pollution in the Stampriet Artesian Basin have surged as the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) takes a stand against mining activities within Namibia’s primary and largest artesian water resource. While SAUMA does not oppose mining in general, the association strongly objects to the proposed in-situ leach mining method to extract uranium within the Stampriet Artesian Basin. This mining technique, proposed by Russian company Headspring Investments, has raised alarm bells among environmentalists and experts who believe it poses a grave risk to the region’s water supply. Dr Roy Miller, a geologist, recently addressed the…

22 Nov

Capricorn Group contributes N$500 000 towards COP28

ObserverObserver MoneyCapricorn Group contributes N$500 000 towards COP28

Martin Endjala The Capricorn Group, through collaboration between the Capricorn Foundation and Bank Windhoek, donated a total of N$500 000 to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism towards Namibia’s participation and pavilion at the Conference of Parties (COP28) conference which will be held from 30 November 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is the second year that Capricorn Group, Capricorn Foundation, and Bank Windhoek have donated towards Namibia’s participation at COP28. Ruan Bestbier, Capricorn Group Head of Sustainability said the pivotal sponsorship of the Namibian Pavilion at COP28 is more than a financial commitment or supporting a…