Observer – Page 36 – Windhoek Observer

14 Mar

Namport revenue increases with N$1.5 billion

ObserverObserver MoneyNamport revenue increases with N$1.5 billion

Martin Endjala Namport has recorded a revenue increase to the tune of N$1.5 billion or 22 percent compared to the N$1.2 billion increase recorded in 2022. The profit was set against a target of N$1.2 billion while the ports authority announced an operating profit of N$411 million compared to the 2022 financial year which recorded N$375 million. This is according to a Namport integrated annual report for the financial period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. These achievements are said to highlight the ability of the company to adapt to market conditions, capitalise on demand, and maintain competitiveness…

14 Mar

Paragon scores a legal victory in Supreme Court against Central Technical Supplies

ObserverNational NewsSupreme Court rules in Paragon’s favour

Niël Terblanché In a landmark ruling delivered on 13 March 2024, a panel of judges of the Supreme Court of Namibia set a legal precedent on the appealability of default judgments in the nation's legal system when they found that Paragon Investment (Pty) Ltd could indeed install a weather analysis system for the Namibian Meteorological Service. The case, involving a dispute over the procurement of an Automated Weather Observing System for the Namibian Meteorological Services, saw Central Technical Supplies (Pty) Ltd challenge the awarding of the contract to Paragon who entered into a joint venture with the China Huayun Group…

14 Mar

Mass civic registration program prompts 17,182 applications for national documents

ObserverNational News182 applications for national documents, Mass civic registration program prompts 17

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has in total received 17,182 applications for birth certificates, Identity Documents (ID cards), and for the conversion of old South West African ID cards through the mass civic registration program countrywide. According to Margaret Kalo, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, the registration program began on 5 February and will run until 30 July 2024. Kalo said 17,182 applications were received since the inception of the mass civic registration outreach program from 5 February to 12 March 2024. The program aims to increase the registration coverage for…

14 Mar

Namibia needs N$14 billion for electrification

ObserverNational NewsNamibia needs N$14 billion for electrification

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s ambitious goal to achieve nationwide electrification by 2030 has been deemed unrealistic by John Titus, the Director of Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Titus made the statement during a critical discussion on rural electrification held between the Energy ministry and the Kavango East Regional Council where he pointed to the significant financial and logistical challenges that might hamper the process. He said Namibia’s vision to illuminate every corner of the country requires a staggering N$14 billion investment, a figure that starkly contrasts with the N$130 million currently earmarked in the national budget for this…

14 Mar

Police crackdown on illegal fuel trade

ObserverNational NewsPolice crackdown on illegal fuel trade

Niël Terblanché Smugglers have suffered a significant blow to their illicit fuel trade that has been plaguing the northern border towns of Namibia. The Ohangwena Police, in a coordinated crackdown, have arrested four men involved in the smuggling and sale of approximately 2,700 litres of illegal fuel. The operation saw the suspects being apprehended at Omafo, with the illegal commodity sourced from Angola. Officers detained three men, aged 44, 33, and 20 when they were caught red-handed while in possession of the smuggled fuel. A fourth individual, a 57-year-old man, was arrested while in the act of refuelling his vehicle…

14 Mar

Gobabis municipality workers threaten to down tools

ObserverNational NewsGobabis municipality workers threaten to down tools

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Gobabis Municipality workers through their labour union representative, Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), have threatened to stop work unless management takes action on issues raised during a meeting last year November. NAPWU, on behalf of the workers, penned a letter to the municipality’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sophia Eises highlighting unfair labour practices and disciplinary hearing discrepancies within the municipality. Union representative, Betuel Jamuine, in the letter, expressed dismay over the perceived lack of response to grievances voiced during a meeting with the workers, asserting that the situation has only worsened since. “NAPWU has realised with great concern…

13 Mar

Opposition question N$15 million reduction of ECN budget in an election year

ObserverNational NewsOpposition question N$15 million reduction of ECN budget in an election year

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement’s Member of Parliament, Elima Dienda said she is perplexed by the reduction of N$15 million in the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN) budget. Dienda was of the opinion that this is an oversight that seems inconsistent with the fact that ECN is scheduled to organise Presidential and National Assembly elections this year. She also raised concerns about the budget allocation for Planning, Registration and Voting and staff remuneration which she said has been cut by N$4 million. “This raises a critical question: Given the upcoming elections, won’t there be a need for additional part-time…

13 Mar

Brazen armed robbery shocks Windhoek residents

ObserverNational NewsBrazen armed robbery shocks Windhoek residents

Niël Terblanché In a startling breach of public safety, a daring robbery unfolded at the Monte Christo Service Station in the Lafrenz Industrial area of Windhoek on Tuesday. The brazenness of the act sent shockwaves throughout the community. According to the incident report provided by the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the incident occurred at approximately 10:20 AM on Tuesday when three armed assailants executed the audacious robbery. Brandishing pistols, the trio, according to the report, launched their attack by menacing the service station’s cashiers, before brazenly making their way to the manager’s office. Their target was three…

13 Mar

Capricorn Group commits N$600,000 towards entrepreneurial training programmes

ObserverNational News000 towards entrepreneurial training programmes, Capricorn Group commits N$600

Martin Endjala The Capricorn Foundation, in one of its key focus areas of economic advancement, has committed N$600,000 towards training programmes to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, for members of the Women at Work and Men on the Side of the Road (MSR) organisations. According to the Capricorn Group Foundation’s Executive Officer, Marlize Horn Namibia is listed among the countries with the highest unemployment rates. “The Capricorn Foundation recognises its responsibility to support organisations committed to creating job opportunities that contribute to economic growth and address social problems caused by unemployment,” she said. She added that the Women at Work…

13 Mar

SMART technology leveraged to conserve biodiversity

ObserverNational NewsSMART technology leveraged to conserve biodiversity

Niël Terblanchéfor In an effort to enhance biodiversity conservation, Namibia has adopted the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming data collection and management across the nation’s protected areas. The adoption stresses the crucial role of advanced technologies in safeguarding the environment and preserving the country’s rich natural heritage for future generations. The announcement came during the Global SMART User Conference held in Windhoek, where the Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, reiterated the indispensable role of technology and digitization in the ongoing efforts to protect Namibia’s precious ecosystems. “We stand at a…