Observer – Page 313 – Windhoek Observer

29 May

Cabinet approves N$ 87 million for drought relief

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Cabinet last week activated emergency measures to provide food assistance to drought-stricken households in the //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions. About N$87.4 million has been availed for drought relief, for the next six months starting on 1 July 2023, the government announced. The Cabinet has since directed the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Services to provide assistance through the respective regional councils to people and animals in the worst affected regions.…

29 May

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila labels GIPF a catalyst for economic growth

ObserverNational NewsKuugongelwa-Amadhila labels GIPF a catalyst for economic growth

Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has declared the Government Institutions Pension Fund a catalyst for economic growth, given its huge investment to the country’s social and financial development as it provides returns to Namibia. The Prime Minister stated that the fund has invested 50 percent of its fund value at an estimated amount of N$75 billion, making it the largest fund investor individually towards the economy of the country in terms of infrastructures, housing, and other strategic sectors of the economy since its inception in 1989. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila delivered a speech during the launch of the GIPF Strategic Plan of…

29 May

Geingob decries inequality of approach to conflicts

ObserverNational NewsGeingob decries inequality of approach to conflicts

Niël Terblanché President Hage Geingob, who is also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has condemned the unequal approach to conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, by International peace keeping bodies and sympathizers. Eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict involving at least 122 rebel groups, according to a recent count by the United Nations. According to Geingob, people are dying while Africans are being cajoled to support and condemn Russia for invading Ukraine. “We have our own problems that nobody seems to pay attention to, and…

29 May

40 000 job seekers apply for Nampol, 2 398 shortlisted

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The Namibian Police has revealed that more than 40 000 people applied for the cadet constable job opportunities advertised recently and that only 2,398 candidates have been shortlisted for interviews. The Namibian Police is seeking to employ about 1,000 cadet officers, and the shortlisted candidates are expected to undergo several tests. However, Nampol did not specify what criteria they used to reduce the over 40, 000 candidates into a smaller number. The 1,000 new cadet constables will include 250 who are coming from the National Youth Service at an advanced stage. The recruitment interviews will be conducted at…

29 May

Namibia signs N$200b Green Hydrogen deal

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché The Government officially signed a pioneering N$200 billion Feasibility and Implementation Agreement on Friday, thereby announcing the development of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Green Hydrogen Project. President Hage Geingob officially witnessed the signing of the agreement with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Proprietary) Limited. “I thank Hyphen for trusting the Governance Architecture of Namibia with their investment. By signing the Feasibility and Implementation Agreement, a crucial step has been taken to unlock the potential of Green Hydrogen to create jobs for the prosperity of the people of Namibia,” Geingob said at the signing ceremony at State House. Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister…

26 May

Eskom explains winter supply to Namibia……Diamond mines subject to loadsheddding schedule

ObserverObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA South Africa’s power company, Eskom which has announced that there is a high risk of elevated stages of loadshedding in winter, this week explained how this will impact on electricity exports to Namibia. Responding to questions by Observer Money, Eskom said its power supply agreement for NamPower is in accordance with National Regulatory Standard (NRS) 048-9. “NRS 048-9 is a code of practice in terms of load reduction practices, system restoration practices and other related matters. During load shedding, NamPower’s load is curtailed as per the requirements of NRS 048-9,” Eskom said. Under the current agreement with NamPower,…

26 May

O&L Europe eyeing real estate, hospitality, finance industry

ObserverObserver Money

Staff Writer O&L Nexentury GmbH, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group, recently announced that it was granted the advanced water management permit from the District Administration Office of Karlsruhe, Germany, for the construction and operation of what will be Germany’s largest fully permitted and floating solar photovoltaic (PV) park at this point in time. The solar park will be built on the gravel lake of sand and gravel works company, Philipp & Co KG, in Bad Schönborn, Germany. O&L Nexentury plans to commence construction of the solar park in the third quarter of 2023 with the intention for…

26 May

Otjikoto Mine decreases energy usage

ObserverObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira B2Gold’s Otjikoto Mine near Otavi took strides in 2022 to decreasing its energy usage by connecting to the Namibian grid, which is estimated to reduce annual power generation emissions by more than 30% due to renewable energy sources within the Namibian grid. The company said in its Annual Responsible Mining Report that overall, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources increased significantly to 14.3% in 2022 from 9.5% in 2021, for consolidated operations. The Otjikoto Mine is expected to produce between 190,000 and 210,000 ounces of gold in 2023 at cash operating costs of between US$590 and…

26 May

Yango launches new comfort tariff

ObserverObserver Money

Yango, an international service for ordering rides online, has introduced a new Comfort tariff in Namibia. Yango successfully launched its services in Namibia in January this year. The Comfort tariff is an additional tariff on the Yango app which will allow users to order higher-quality cars at an affordable price. “We are happy with our successful launch which took place in Windhoek in the beginning of the year and now we are glad to move forward to launch a new Comfort tariff. We recognize that our valued customers have different needs when they take a ride with us and giving…

26 May

FATF mum on Namibia’s anti-money laundering moves

ObserverObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which leads global action to tackle money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing said this week that it could not comment on newly announced legislation announced by the Bank of Namibia and its effectiveness on Namibia’s framework to combat money laundering or terrorist financing. The Bank of Namibia recently disclosed that the Cabinet Committee on Legislation has approved 11 amendments and two new bills that, when passed by the legislature, will ensure that Namibia’s legal framework is fully aligned with new developments in global anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing standards. A…