Blog – Page 650 – Windhoek Observer

01 Nov

Nampol challenged by insufficient manpower

National NewsNampol challenged by insufficient manpower

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has shed light on a pressing issue facing the country’s law enforcement agency, a severe shortage of manpower. This revelation came during a preparatory meeting for the festive season crime prevention and road safety operations held at the police national headquarters in Windhoek yesterday. Shikongo disclosed that the current functional structure of the Namibian police force allows for a member count of approximately 28,000. However, he said the reality on the ground presents a stark contrast to this desired number. “We need to work on the…

01 Nov

NamLITS and stock brand awareness campaign extended due to overwhelming response

National NewsNamLITS and stock brand awareness campaign extended due to overwhelming response

Niël Terblanché The awareness campaign for stock brands and the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) has exceeded expectations in updating livestock keeper information and stock brands on the relevant database. Such an overwhelming response from farmers has led to the extension of the campaign by two months. According to Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR), the ministry, in collaboration with the Meat Board of Namibia, initiated the awareness campaign for stock brands and NamLITS on 17 July 2023, with an initial end date of 31 October 2023. “Earlier this…

01 Nov

RU affirms that workers have the right to change labour unions

National NewsRU affirms that workers have the right to change labour unions

Stefanus Nashama The newly established Revolutionary Union (RU) has clarified that workers who recently left other unions to join their ranks exercised their constitutional right to choose a labour union of their preference and did not commit any wrongdoing. RU’s Proletariat Central Secretary, Julius Natangwe, addressed the issue in response to the announcement by Carbon Twelve Mining workers, who expressed their intention to withdraw their membership applications with RU, indicating that they no longer required union representation for labour-related matters. Natangwe explained that the workers in question had not yet become official members of the union; they were in the…

01 Nov

Residents and stakeholders requested to assist in combating crime

National News

Niël Terblanché After a series of consultations and discussions involving various stakeholders, Swakopmund’s town council recently hosted a feedback session to address growing safety concerns and unveil initiatives aimed at tackling crime within the community. The gathering served as a platform for residents, government officials, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches, and law enforcement agencies to engage in dialogue regarding the pressing issue of crime prevention. “We want to bring all the stakeholders - central government, ministries, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches and the Namibian Police, together to identify the challenges we are facing in town,” stated Archie Benjamin, the Chief…

01 Nov

No final decision about mobile food kiosks in Swakopmund yet

National NewsNo final decision about mobile food kiosks in Swakopmund yet

Niël Terblanché The Swakopmund Municipality has moved to address recent media reports that have generated confusion regarding the municipality’s stance on mobile food kiosks operating within the town. According to Linda Mupupa, the municipality’s Public Relations Officer, it is essential to clarify that a final decision has not been reached on this matter, and the council is actively engaged in a comprehensive and all-encompassing public scoping process. “The primary objective of this public scoping process is to gather the perspectives and opinions of various stakeholders, with particular emphasis on mobile food kiosk business owners and interested members of the community.…

01 Nov

Shiimi’s tough balancing act

MainN$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies., Shiimi’s tough balancing act

Martin Endjala The highly anticipated mid-term year budget for the 2023/24 financial year, saw close to N$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies. Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, announced the development yesterday in Parliament while tabling the mid-term budget. These additional expenditure allocations Shiimi explained, represent the unforeseeable and unavoidable emergency items such as health, and drought among others which cannot be postponed until the tabling of the 2024/25 main budget next year. In addition, the operational budget was increased by N$2.5 billion, while the development budget remains unchanged at N$6.5 billion, and an additional…

31 Oct

Trade verification system to combat illicit activities

Observer MoneyTrade verification system to combat illicit activities

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), have unveiled the Trade Verification System (TVS) to enhance trade efficiency and combat illicit activities. The central bank and the agency said the digital initiative promises to revolutionise the country's trade processes, offering improvements in efficiency, transparency, and security in trade operations. The system will come into effect next month. BoN Director of Strategic Communications and International Relations Kazembire Zemburuka and Chief NamRa Strategic Communications and Support Engagements Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, in a joint media statement, explained that the international trade system, in particular, has been exploited by various…

31 Oct

Consumers get temporary relief as fuel prices remain unchanged

Energy, Observer MoneyConsumers get temporary relief as fuel prices remain unchanged

Niël Terblanché In a welcome respite for consumers, fuel prices in Namibia will remain unchanged in November. The Ministry of Mines and Energy made the announcement on Friday. The decision comes after a period of steep increases in the prices of consumer goods in the country. The Ministry of Mines and Energy explained the reasons behind this decision, citing significant declines in global oil prices during October. The decline was attributed to a reduction in fuel demand, which outweighed the OPEC+ decision to maintain a reduction in oil production, thus keeping the supply constrained. Diesel, which serves as an indicator…

31 Oct

Oshakati Hospital radiotherapy department to cost govt close to N$200 million

MainOshakati Hospital radiotherapy departmentto cost govt close to N$200 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja With only one state-owned Oncology Centre in Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is embarking on a major expansion project at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital Radiotherapy Department. This endeavour is set to cost the government almost N$200 million, marking a considerable investment in the country’s healthcare system. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula announced this project during a recent session of the National Assembly, where he revealed that the ministry is working in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other stakeholders to expand the oncology department at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital. “Equipment…

31 Oct

MoHSS to recruit thousands of people in the next five years

National NewsMoHSS to recruit thousands of people in the next five years

Erasmus Shalihaxwe As part of expanding Universal Health Care, the Ministry of Health and Social Services plans to recruit a total number of 6 186 new staff members over a period of five years. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, announced this in the National Assembly last week. Shangula was responding to questions posed to him by Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani, who wanted to know the current status quo with regard to Namibia’s Universal Health Coverage policy framework. The minister said that as a Member State of the World Health Organisation, and having subscribed…