Blog – Page 220 – Windhoek Observer

01 Sep

Namibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

ObserverNational NewsNamibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

Martin Endjala Chambers of Mines President, Zebra Kasete, has implored Government and industry players to reinvigorate artisan training programmes in the country to upscale skills to align them with the demands of emerging industries such as oil and gas and green energy. He said artisans in Namibia have good entry skills, but lack expertise in new industries which could be a serious concern if not addressed immediately. Kasete made this call on Wednesday at the official opening of the 10th Mining Expo in Windhoek under the theme “Namibia’s Role in the Sustainable Supply of Minerals to Support the Global Energy…

01 Sep

Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

ObserverNational NewsBryan Eiseb, e Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

Martin Endjala The Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Bryan Eiseb, has announced that the Solar Revolving Fund (SRF) aims to finance 400 off-grid households during the current financial year. Eiseb made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the service level agreement between the ministry and the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. He said for this objective to be achieved, the ministry has established strategic alliances with various Regional Electricity Distributors that allows consumers living in known areas to make use of available financing program and subsidy, to enable…

01 Sep

CRAN Board commits to performance agreements

ObserverNational NewsCRAN Board commits to performance agreements, Dr Peya Mushelenga

Niël Terblanché The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has taken a decisive step towards enhancing governance and accountability by signing Performance and Governance Agreements. The signing ceremony, overseen by ICT Minister, Dr Peya Mushelenga, signifies a commitment to transparent and effective operations in the best interest of the Namibian public. During the signing ceremony, Mushelenga emphasized the importance of acting with fairness, good faith and transparency. The minister urged the directors to prioritise the principles of accountability and maintain an independent perspective while focusing on delivering valuable services to the public. Highlighting the crucial role that CRAN plays in…

01 Sep

Lack of roads will hinder the progress of the Rundu abattoir

ObserverNational NewsLack of roads will hinder the progress of the Rundu abattoir, Rundu Abattoir

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Kavango East Region Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo said the region needs to address critical issues of road infrastructure to avoid hindrance to the progress of the recently inaugurated Rundu Abattoir. Amidst the excitement over the new state-of-the-art abattoir facility, Wakudumo highlighted the essential role roads play in ensuring the abattoir’s success and broader economic benefits during the official handover yesterday. Wakudumo expressed gratitude for the facility’s establishment, recognising its capacity to slaughter 80-120 cattle per day, contributing significantly to the livestock sector’s growth and the region’s economic growth. However, he didn’t shy away from voicing his concerns about the…

01 Sep

Corruption at the heart of NAMCOL staff resignation: Amupanda

ObserverNational NewsCorruption at the heart of NAMCOL staff resignation: Amupanda

Stefanus Nashama Affirmative Repositioning Movement Leader, Job Amupanda has criticised Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) for failing to hold accountable an employee who was reported to have misappropriated N$305,770.00 of student funds. The activist leader accused the institution of organising the employee’s resignation without taking serious action because there were people from high offices involved. “The corrupt chain has organised that the accountant resigns,” he said. Amupanda said while NAMCOL is claiming to have a zero-tolerance stance against theft, fraud and corruption, he has been informed that someone had started deleting information regarding the matter to protect the ‘corrupt…

01 Sep

Tantalum mining to commence next year

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Swanson Tantalum Mining production is set to commence with mining operations between October and November 2024. With a feasibility study already completed and a final investment of USD7 million in finance already secured together with all necessary permits the company is ready to start production. Acadia Minerals Chief Executive Officer Philip Le Roux explained that a large number of well-mineralised pegmatites are also present on the property and the potential of the occurrences is highlighted by extensive, small-scale mining activities where tantalum, beryl and spodumene were extracted from the pegmatites. He was speaking at the 2023 Mining Expo…

01 Sep

DBN signs concessional loan agreement to mitigate climate challenge

ObserverNational NewsDBN signs concessional loan agreement to mitigate climate challenge, Development Bank of Namibia (DBN)

Stefanus Nashama The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) on Wednesday signed a N$600 million concessional loan agreement with the KfW, the German Development Cooperation, to develop infrastructure to mitigate challenges presented by climate change. During the signing ceremony this week, both institutions announced that the loan will be used to develop climate-related infrastructure, such as renewable energy, water and low-carbon transport projects. The agreement follows the first credit line amounting to approximately N$240 million, which was signed between DBN and KfW in December 2018. DBN Chief Executive Officer, Martin Inkumbi said the first credit line after being successfully placed in…

01 Sep

A third of the Namibian population faces starvation

ObserverMainA third of the Namibian population faces starvation

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government will spend N$892.4 million on a food relief program, agricultural support, and water provision to prevent the starvation of a third of Namibia’s population. During the introduction of the latest Namibia Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (VAA) 2023/24 Report, which was compiled by the Executive Director within the Office of the Prime Minister, I-Ben Nantangwe Nashandi, it came to light that the number of people that will face food insecurity will rise to 695 000 in the next six to seven months. This is a significant increase from the current estimate of 579 000 people…

31 Aug

High mineral prices drive port volumes

ObserverObserver MoneyHigh mineral prices drive port volumes

The Namibian Ports Authority says the mineral commodities are a key driver of Namibian ports cargo volumes. There is a high correlation between global commodity prices and cargo movement through the port, the Authority stated. It stated that where the commodity prices are favourable, it drives increased mining activities and an uptick in volumes throughput through the ports supporting these activities. Commenting on the minerals that are exported via Walvis Bay, the Authority, said in 2022, the copper price increased by 17.8% to an average of US$9,985 per metric tonnes during the first quarter of 2022. The increase was due…

31 Aug

Namibian uranium to drive energy transition

ObserverObserver Money

Uranium extracted and processed at the Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) in Namibia’s Erongo Region will be harnessed to supply nuclear power plants, propelling the global shift towards a sustainable, carbon-free energy future. The mine is slated to recommence operations in the coming year. Paladin Energy, the owner of LHM, has stated that at peak output, the mine will annually yield sufficient uranium fuel to sustain over ten 1,000 MWe (Megawatt Electrical) nuclear power plants. Over the mine’s operational lifespan, attaining equivalent power through coal-fired electricity would result in an annual average of 58 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This…