Blog – Page 684 – News Stand

20 Jun

Food imports to cost developing countries dearly

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has stated that the world food import bill is forecast to reach a new record this year. According to a report by the FAO, it is estimated that the global food bill will rise to US$1.98 trillion in 2023, up 1.5 percent from 2022. It rose by 11 percent in 2022 and 18 percent in 2021. The report states that the most economically vulnerable countries will be severely impacted by higher food prices that are driven by dampened demand. According to the FAO, food imports by advanced economies…

20 Jun

Interpol must redouble cooperation to combat transnational crime

info_e12wt4csNational NewsInterpol must redouble cooperation to combat transnational crime

Niël Terblanché Various heads of Interpol’s National Central Bureaus (NCB) of southern Africa gathered in Swakopmund to share their knowledge and experience in combating all forms of transnational organised crime in the Southern African Development Community During the official opening of the meeting the head of Interpol’s Regional Bureau in Harare, Sello Moerane, said the meeting represents a unique opportunity for senior police officers to come together as a community of law enforcement professionals from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, and to share our knowledge and expertise in the fight against organised crime. “As we face an ever-evolving crime threat…

20 Jun

Walvis Bay aims for increased investment by developing residential land

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWalvis Bay aims for increased investment by developing residential land

Niël Terblanché The Walvis ay Town Council’s budget for the 2023/2024 financial year will focus mainly on the development of land for housing development. Other areas where the budget is going be spent are in the improvement of service delivery, much-needed infrastructure repair, the replacement of vehicles and social projects. Richard Hoaeb, the Chairperson of the management committee while delivering the council’s budget speech said the local authority tabled a N$609 million capital budget for the coming financial year. He said that a total of N$312 million is anticipated to be spent during the coming financial year, while the remaining…

20 Jun

Court dismisses Murder accused Americans’ acquital application

info_e12wt4csMainCourt dismisses Murder accused Americans’ acquital application

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Two American nationals who stand accused of murdering Namibian national, Andre Heckmair in Windhoek in 2011 suffered another blow in the High Court yesterday, after their application for a discharge in accordance with section 174 was dismissed. The two men wanted the charges against them withdran, citing the state did not acquire sufficient evidence against them, when it concluded it’s case. Judge Christie Liebenberg in his ruling yesterday said the state has made out a prima facie case against Marcus Thomas and Kevan Townsend to which they should answer. “The approach to circumstantial evidence is not to consider…

19 Jun

ECN confirms recovery of two missing laptops

info_e12wt4csNational NewsECN confirms recovery of two missing laptops

Stefanus Nashama The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that two of its missing 117 laptops were recovered in the logistics store room at its headquarters. This was confirmed by the ECN Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Theo Mujoro, in response to a letter of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member, Ivan Skrywer, who wrote to the ECN after the party was informed by close sources that two of the 117 laptops that went missing in January 2023 were recovered. Mujoro confirmed the recovery of the two laptops and said that the recovery was reported to the investigation officer.…

19 Jun

Electricity Control Board irked by Nampower blackouts

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board has reiterated that it will not support any debt collection plan that compromises lifesaving services and people’s livelihoods going forward. “In the future, any debt recovery plan by any licensee which compromises the lifesaving services and interruption to customers in good standings will not be supported by the ECB,” said the ECB Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise in a statement. Kahimise’s position follows NamPower’s announcement last month, about its debt collection plan to disconnect defaulting customers’ electricity as a measure to collect debt owed to it which stands at N$1.5 million, if defaulters do…

19 Jun

Presidency thanks Geingob for his exceptional leadership

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPresidency thanks Geingob for his exceptional leadership

Staff Reporter The Presidency has thanked President Hage Geingob for his steadfast, inclusive and visionary leadership as Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Founding Prime Minister and the third President of the Republic of Namibia. The vote of thanks came on the commemoration of the day on 18 June 1989 when President Geingob returned to Namibia after 27 years in exile. Upon setting foot on Namibian soil Geingob got down on his hands and knees and kissed the soil of the land. President Geingob led the first group of senior SWAPO freedom fighters, who would play a pivotal role in the…

19 Jun

Pocurement laws delaying delivery of affordable housing

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPocurement laws delaying delivery of affordable housing

Niël Terblanché Dina Namubes, the Mayor of Swakopmund has indicated that the cumbersome nature of Namibia’s Procurement Act has delayed the delivery of affordable housing to residents of the coastal town. Almost two years after the last of the first two phases of the Build Together Group Project was completed, the third Phase of the Build Together Group Project was launched by Namubes during a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday. During the ceremony, the Swakompund Municipality handed over 80 erven to beneficiaries to start the construction of their own homes. Phase 1, which consisted of 30 houses, commenced in May 2020…

19 Jun

Engineers feeling left out in decision-making

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEngineers feeling left out in decision-making

Martin Endjala The Engineering Professionals Association of Namibia (EPA) demands its presence at decision-making tables in order to better contribute to society with a strong voice. The EPA launched its five-year Strategic Plan which will serve as a roadmap for the next three years and the EPA Secretariat and Council is being urged to give full effect to the Strategic Plan. “The Engineering Fraternity needs to be heightened in Africa, particularly in Namibia. Engineers need to be recognized and involved in the decision-making role in society and not just be implementors of projects. This is something that the Engineering Fraternity…

19 Jun

Khomas Regional Council Budgets N$1,6 million for pit latrines

info_e12wt4csNational News6 million for pit latrines, Khomas Regional Council Budgets N$1

Stefanus Nashama The Khomas Regional Governor, Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, said the Khomas Regional Council has set aside N$ 1.6 million for pit latrines, for distribution to rural communities which are not near running water. In her State of Region address last week, Mcleod-Katjirua said that for the 2023/24 financial year, the regional council will implement a hybrid model of environmentally friendly dry pit latrines for those not close to water and flushing toilets for the communities close to water. Although the Governor did not specify the number of pit latrines and flushing toilets to be constructed in the rural communities, she…