info_e12wt4cs – Page 653

16 Jun

IATA’s Focus Africa to strengthen economic contribution

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyIATA’s Focus Africa to strengthen economic contribution

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Focus Africa” drive is gaining momentum, spurred on by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and as its newest partners. Focus Africa will strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. It will see private and public stakeholders deliver measurable progress in six critical areas: safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability and skills development. “Focus Africa is all about establishing a coalition of partners committing to pool their resources and delivering a set of…

16 Jun

Should Namibia make mentoring certification mandatory for engineers?

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyShould Namibia make mentoring certification mandatory for engineers?

Roland Innes Since January 2023, a notable development in South Africa is the requirement for mentors involved in the Mine Engineer’s Certificate of Competency to possess certification from an accredited institution. They must also demonstrate the mentorship of at least five engineers in training, among other prerequisites. Although this may be perceived as an additional hurdle in obtaining certification, its potential benefits extend beyond the engineers themselves and can significantly contribute to the improvement of efficiency, productivity, and safety within mining operations. Consequently, the question arises as to whether Namibia will choose to follow South Africa’s lead and implement mandatory…

16 Jun

NamPower in wait and see over debt plan

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamPower in wait and see over debt plan

Chamwe Kaira Power utility, NamPower would not say this week whether it still expects to recover billions owed to it by local authorities across the country by the end of August as initially planned after it agreed to a government intervention plan over the matter. “As indicated in the latest Media Release of 12 June2023, NamPower and the Ministry of Finance are in consultation on the interventions put in place by Government for the settlement of the overdue amounts. Thus, we cannot at this stage provide the amount that we expect to collect,” said Tangeni Kambangula responding to questions by…

16 Jun

Chicken, eggs post double inflation rates

info_e12wt4csObserver Moneychicken, eggs post double inflation rates

Chamwe Kaira Chicken and eggs in South Africa where Namibia imports most of its food needs have consistently posted double digit inflation rates in recent months, research by Simonis Storm Securities have shown. One of South Africa’s largest chicken producers by revenue, Astral Foods Ltd, forecasted about N$45 million diesel expenses per month due to power outages. It cost them N$741 million in the first half to sustain their chickens for longer since load shedding caused delays in their slaughtering and so consumer prices are inflated. “Locally, higher chicken feed and transport prices continue to raise consumer prices from domestically…

16 Jun

Corridor Group eyes Chinese market

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCorridor Group eyes Chinese market, The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG)

Chamwe Kaira The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) recently an excellent performance for the 2022/23 financial year. This saw corridor cargo volumes entering and leaving the hinterland increasing by 50% year-on-year, climbing from 1 639 510 tonnes to 2 464 123 tonnes. The corridor uses the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, going to and coming from the target markets of Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, South Africa, Zambia as well as Zimbabwe. The financial year the South African market grew with 42%, from 771 852 tonnes to 1 093 569 tonnes. In addition, DRC…

16 Jun

Oceana’s landing increased by 40% in Namibia

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyOceana’s landing increased by 40% in Namibia

Chamwe Kaira Oceana Group’s Namibia’s horse mackerel volumes landed improved by 40 % with an increase in both sea days and catch rates. Fishing days in the prior period were impeded by scheduled vessel maintenance, the group said in the interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2023. Oceana said horse mackerel volumes caught in South Africa were 52.1% down on the prior period. The 30.3% lower catch rate was due to La Niña climatic conditions, and the associated higher sea temperatures, extending into 2023 and the Desert Diamond undergoing a planned main engine overhaul. In Namibia, horse…

16 Jun

“Desmantle Nampower” – Swartbooi

info_e12wt4csNational News“Desmantle Nampower” - Swartbooi

Martin Endjala Bernadus Swartbooi has called for the dismantling of NamPower, citing its inability to provide adequate electricity to people and its disregard for the fundamental issues facing society. The Landless People’s Movement leader was of the opinion that the debt accumulated by NamPower belongs to society. According to him, local authorities electricity and water debt must thus be written off. Swartbooi, during a media conference in Windhoek, yesterday said that the national electricity supplier must be dismantled for failing to build adequate power stations over the past 33 years and being a monopolistic retailer buying and selling electricity. “It…

16 Jun

Verdict on Menzies Aviation application postponed to next month

info_e12wt4csMainVerdict on Menzies Aviation application postponed to next month

Martin Endjala The High Court has postponed the matter involving an urgent application by Menzies Aviation Namibia to stay on for another 30 days following the Supreme Court’s judgement issued last week Friday ordering the British company to vacate the Hosea Kutako International Airport premises with immediate effect. Presiding Judge, Shifimana Ueitele yesterday said that he will reserve his judgment and postponed the matter to the 4th of July 2023 stating that given that it is an urgent application, it creates uncertainty and one needs to dispose of it urgently. The judge said he still wants to hear arguments on…

16 Jun

Government praised for faring well on child protection

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGovernment praised for faring well on child protection

Martin Endjala The Government of Namibia has been praised for faring well concerning child protection despite its highs and lows, the country is said to be a work in progress and as well on track. The Day of the African Child Day is remembered every year on the 16th of June, and this year’s celebrations will be taking place in Rosh Pinah in the //Kharas Region. The day is being commemorated under the theme of the Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment. Nduminga Ndala, who is the Youth Leader for the Landless People’s Movement Party believes that Namibia…

16 Jun

LPM member demands an answer about ECN laptops

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLPM member demands an answer about ECN laptops

Stefanus Nashama Ivan Skrywer of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and member of the Management Committee of the City of Windhoek, yesterday said that there are allegations that two of the 177 Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) laptops were recovered. Skrywer told the Windhoek Observer yesterday that they were reliably informed by sources that two of 117 laptops that went missing at the ECN headquarters were recovered. He said LPM as a stakeholder is demanding the ECN Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Theo Mujoro to confirm or respond to the news of the recovery of the laptops. “We plead with…