Blog – Page 864 – Windhoek Observer

27 Mar

ECN facing a budgetary shortfall of N$60 million

Main

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia will need almost N$500 million in the coming financial year to conduct voter education and voter registration for the next cycle of National and Presidential Elections slated for November 2024. This is according to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjivi, who motivated a budget allocation of N$421 930 000 for the successful implementation of ECN programmes for the next year. He pointed out that the budget ceiling will leave the ECN with a shortfall of N$60 million. Despite this shortfall, he stated that the ECN will have to discharge its duties…

27 Mar

Financing of the ACC is vital for Namibia

National NewsFinancing of the ACC is vital for Namibia, N$81 688 000 for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC

Niël Terblanché The impact of corruption is severe and if it is allowed to persist the phenomenon has a detrimental impact on economic growth, healthcare, and social and economic infrastructure development, and may even negatively affect Foreign Direct Investment. While presenting arguments for the budgetary allocation of N$81 688 000 for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Peter Katjavivi said that foreign Investors may not invest in Namibia if authorities in the country are not financially empowered to curb corruption and related crimes. In addition, Namibia has been undergoing the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group…

27 Mar

RFA to assist with repair of Walvis Bay roads

FeaturedN$6, RFA to assist with repair of Walvis Bay roads

Niel Terblanche The transport of high volumes of cargo through Namibia’s main harbour has had a devastating effect on the streets of Walvis Bay. In this regard, the Road Fund Administration has agreed to increase its funding to the Walvis Bay municipality for the maintenance and repair of streets that have been steadily degrading. The Walvis Bay Municipality recently received N$6, 7 million to fund maintenance and repair projects. The Mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes said during the most recent council meeting that the transportation of heavy cargo has had a devastating effect on the drivability of especially streets…

27 Mar

Parliament requires more funds to review laws

National NewsParliament requires more funds to review laws, Peter Katjavivi

Martin Endjala The allocation of a share of the National Budget to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises is seen as an enabling tool for Parliament to review some of its legislative laws that are deemed outdated or no longer applicable in an era of modernization. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi during his speech in motivating budgetary allocations said that the National Assembly will require a N$182 million budget allocation of which N$167 million is earmarked for its operational needs while N$15 million will be directed towards its development programmes. Katjavivi said that this will be…

27 Mar

Two men murdered, three murder attempts over the weekend

National NewsTimoteus Ndiiluka Pius, Two men murdered

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Two men were murdered while three other men sustained injuries in attempted murder incidents over the weekend, according to the police’s weekly crime report. On Friday, at about 23h30, 23 years old Timoteus Ndiiluka Pius allegedly died on the spot after he was stabbed at Oshithashembungu village in Omusati region. It is alleged that Pius, while on his way from Ondumbo location to his house ,realized that his cellphone was missing and went back to the shebeen. “An argument erupted between the deceased and the suspect in connection with the cellphone and a fight broke out. In the…

27 Mar

Police seize smuggled contraband from Angola

National NewsPolice seize smuggled contraband from Angola

Niel Terblanche During the execution of Operation Amazing March, members of the Namibian Police stationed in the Omusati Region confiscated contraband from a smuggler at a temporary roadblock over the weekend. According to the incident report provided by the Omusati Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, the discovery of 84 plastic bags containing 1 680 sachets of Best Whisky and 150 cartons containing 1 500 packets of Yes cigarettes led to the arrest of the driver of the vehicle at the roadblock. According to Basson, the driver was apprehended on the main road between Ruacana and Kamanjab near Oshifo. Upon…

27 Mar

Sports minister wants projects completed

National News, SportsHPP 2 and MTEF, n NDP5, Sports minister wants projects completed

Niel Terblanche The Minister of Sports, Youth and National Services says she addressed the staff members of her Ministry, National Youth Council, National Youth Service and the Namibia Sports Commission, of whom she requested to complete and implement current programmes in the coming financial year. Agnes Tjongarero, during her motivation for the ministry budget allocation encouraged management to align themselves with the 2023/2024 Annual Plan and the current strategic plan to focus on the completion of ongoing programmes and projects as reflected in NDP5, HPP 2 and MTEF. “This Ministry has a number of outstanding programmes and projects which, for…

24 Mar

Swapo is out of touch -Amupanda

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Stefanus Nashama Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist and 2024 Presidential Hopeful, Job Amupanda said the ruling party SWAPO is now old, tired, fatigued and unable to understand modern realities and aspirations, despite still appreciating its past achievements.Amupanda, who earlier this month was elected to serve on the City of Windhoek’s Management Committee, indicated that the ruling party is a “grandmother” that did good things while she was growing up.“It is a well-known approach of the African people that it is the responsibility of the youth to take over from their grandparents,” he said.The activist said in an interview with this publication…

24 Mar

Geingob expresses condolences following Soldiers’ deaths

National NewsGeingob expresses condolences following Soldiers’ deaths

Niel Terblanche President Hage Geingob lamented the deaths of three members of the Namibian Defence Force who died as a result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on the main road between Omuthiya and Oshivelo, a day after the country celebrated its 33rd year of independence. The President extended his condolences to the families of the three soldiers, who have since been identified as 42-year-old Paulus Nadhipite Nuuyoma who hailed from the Oneshoko Village in the Oshitayi area of the Oshana Region, 30-year-old Teopolina Aipanda who hails from the Ohamunyela Village in the area of Ombalantu in the Omusati…

24 Mar

There is no miracle of loaves and fishes at events

EditorialThere is no miracle of loaves and fishes at events

This year’s embarrassment of an insufficient Independence Day budget was evident when the annual post-speech and program food handouts went sideways in Outapi. Who wouldn’t want something like a biblical miracle to provide more loaves and fish for the masses to eat at such a festive event? Reality check: in our secular world, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The loaves and fish—or brötchen and boerewors—for the masses have a price tag that the government can no longer afford. What happened with food chaos at underfunded Independence Day celebrations must serve as a wake-up call. Please note…