Observer – Page 247 – Windhoek Observer

18 Aug

DRC residents get connected to electricity

ObserverNational NewsDRC residents get connected to electricity, N$26 million, Neville Andre

Niël Terblanché Residents of the DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund grabbed the opportunity to be connected to the electricity supply grid with both hands. Erongo RED and the Swakopmund municipality along with other stakeholders in the region collaborated to provide prepaid electricity supply points for nine households. The connection of more households in the informal settlement is envisaged to create a return on investment by the municipality. Over the past few years, the local authority spent in the region of N$26 million to install services on land where the informal settlement is situated. The Erongo Regional Governor, Neville Andre during…

18 Aug

Increased commitment is needed to promoteand strengthen peace and security in SADC

ObserverNational NewsIncreased commitment is needed to promoteand strengthen peace and security in SADC

Martin Endjala Despite acknowledging the progress made over the past year in silencing guns in some member states of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), President Hage Geingob has called on his counterparts to do more to realise Africa Agenda 2063 under the theme “The Africa We Want”. Geingob was speaking at the 43 SADC Ordinary Organ Troika Summit on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola as the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. He said the last meeting in July this year, was necessitated by the need for the Organ to deliberate and make decisions…

18 Aug

CoW denies awarding N$200 million tender to Pulsar Electronic Solutions

ObserverNational NewsCity of Windhoek (CoW), Pulsar Electronic Solutions

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek (CoW) has refuted allegations of awarding a tender worth N$200 million to a company called Pulsar Electronic Solution, after recent media reports that the tender was awarded under dubious circumstances. In response to media reports, the city’s communication department clarified in a statement issued yesterday, that the claims are unfounded and misleading. Explaining that Pulsar Electronic Solutions is a startup innovation company located at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Fabrication Laboratory, and the company is led by young Namibian researchers who invented and patented the GRIDx electric pre-paid smart meter, which incorporates…

18 Aug

Long-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

ObserverNational NewsLong-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Omaruru, a town crucially positioned as a transportation link between Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo, is grappling with road safety risks caused by long-distance trucks that inundate the town. Joseph Haipinge, the Head of Planning and Technical Services in the Omaruru Town Council, has highlighted the hazardous state of the town’s roads, worsened by the ongoing movements of trucks. He said the town faces an ongoing issue with a narrow bridge over the Omaruru River which connects the town to surrounding areas. He added that the restricted width of the bridge caused difficulties for heavy trucks to manoeuvre…

18 Aug

TransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

ObserverNational NewsTransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

Martin Endjala While facing cash-follow challenges, TransNamib has recently acquired six vehicles at the cost of N$2 million. In an interview with Windhoek Observer this week, TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer said the purchase was necessary to boost the company’s operational capacity which has been lagging behind for some years now. She added that the vehicles will help generate enough revenue to meet the state-owned company’s expenses. “These vehicles are a necessary cost for the company to increase operational efficiency. The remedy to Transnamib’s cash flow challenges is to generate more income. The investment in this equipment will help us do…

18 Aug

Solar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

ObserverNational NewsSolar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

Niël Terblanché The five Mega Watt solar power plant developed for Orano Mining Namibia which will supply part of the power required for the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP), reached an important milestone when groundworks at the Trekkopje site commenced recently. According to Christine De Klerk, Orano Mining’s Communication and Communities Consultant, the plant will be constructed under a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with InnoSun Energy Holdings, known as Phase 1 of the Sorexa Project. “The agreement includes the establishment of a five MW solar plant at the Trekkopje Site just northeast of Arandis, from where power will be supplied…

18 Aug

U.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

ObserverNational NewsU.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

Stefanus Nashama The United State President’s Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief known as (PEPFAR) will invest approximately N$840 million to provide health and social services to vulnerable children, adolescents and youth in Namibia. PEPFAR Namibia Deputy Principal for USAID, Tamara Cox, made this announcement at a media briefing yesterday in the capital. According to Cox, Reach Namibia is a five-year program from 2023 to 2028 operating in eight regions in Namibia where 80 percent of the population resides. She said the program is implemented by two local organisations which are Project HOPE Namibia, operating in Khomas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto…

18 Aug

Nampol to evict officers from Omuthiya barracks…members have until today to vacate

ObserverMaineopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, Nampol to evict officers from Omuthiya barracks…members have until today to vacate

Stefanus Nashama The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, has informed police officers who are staying with their children at the Omuthiya Police Village to vacate their lodgings today. Kalompo-Nashikaku, while replying to members’ request to have an audience with her on the matter, said the police officers’ request could not be entertained and they should vacate the premises as communicated before. The communication went out in March 2022 and early August this year. “This office regrets to inform you that, your letter dated 07 August 2023 could not be entertained, as police barracks rules remain the same as…

17 Aug

Proposed investment bill will create more unemployment

ObserverObserver MoneyEconomic Policy Research Association (EPRA), Proposed investment bill will create more unemployment

Niël Terblanché Namibia has amongst the highest unemployment rates in the world and the country’s current credit rating has been set at junk status by international rating agencies because of burdensome over regulation from the government. According to the Economic Policy Research Association (EPRA), Namibia’s economy remains stuck in a very precarious position, despite the economic potential provided by green hydrogen and oil discoveries. “With a suboptimal investment environment Namibia can simply not harness the potential these industries may present. We should not suffer under the illusion that (honest) investors are lining up to invest in Namibia. We must make…

17 Aug

MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

ObserverNational NewsHidipo Hamata, MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

Staff Writer Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Hidipo Hamata has called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to reassess the employment status of the staff of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) who have served under contract for over a decade. According to Hamata, the health workers have served in the Ministry within the NTLP program since 2006, contributing significantly to the nation’s healthcare landscape. Despite their unwavering commitment and critical roles, the lawmaker noted that many of them continue to work under precarious contract arrangements, year after year. NTLP is an integral program of the…