National News – Page 119

12 Sep

NamPower focuses on battery storage solutions

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBattery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Ben Mingeli

Hertta-Maria Amutenja NamPower’s Senior Manager of Generation Projects, Ben Mingeli, emphasised the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in mitigating potential intermittency issues. Mingeli said this earlier in the week during the ceremony for an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the 100 MW Rosh Pinah Solar Power Plant. Mingeli said NamPower anticipates challenges in managing intermittency from renewable energy sources, particularly solar, as the company expects solar capacity to exceed 100% of midday demand in the coming years. To address these challenges, the utility is developing and constructing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), including the 54MW Omburu…

12 Sep

Walvis Bay harbour enters a new era

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian Ports Authority, Terminal Investment Namibia

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s journey to solidify its position as a key logistics hub in Southern Africa took a major leap forward with the official handover of the container handling operations at the new container terminal in the Walvis Bay harbour to Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN). This strategic partnership between the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and TiN, set to commence on 10 October, will enhance Namibia’s maritime competitiveness while strengthening its role in regional and international shipping. TiN is a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Terminal Investment Limited (TiL). According to a joint statement issued by Namport and TiN on Wednesday, the concession…

12 Sep

Collaboration set to strengthen investment framework and tax compliance

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamRA, Nangula Uaandja, NIPDB, Sam Shivute

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an effort to improve Namibia’s investment climate and tax compliance. This collaboration is set to enhance the efficiency of income tax and VAT registration processes while streamlining the investment process for foreign investors. The MoU signed on Wednesday, reflects both institutions’ commitment to strengthening tax compliance and promoting foreign investment, with a clear focus on fostering economic growth in Namibia. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute stressed the importance of facilitating a conducive environment for investors. “We want…

11 Sep

Katutura Hospital unveils N$16.5 million dialysis unit

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDr. Kalumbi Shangula, Katutura Intermediate Hospital

Niël Terblanché The Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek now boasts a state-of-the-art dialysis unit. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, officially commissioned the unit on Wednesday that was built at a cost of N$16.5 million. Shangula said that the new facility represents a giant step forward in providing life-saving treatment to Namibians suffering from chronic kidney disease, a condition that requires regular dialysis for patients whose kidneys are unable to filter blood effectively. “With over 85% of the Namibian population relying on public healthcare, the establishment of dialysis services at Katutura Intermediate Hospital addresses a long-standing…

11 Sep

Disaster strikes at Aussenkehr

info_e12wt4csNational NewsFelicia Motinga

Martin Endjala On Wednesday afternoon multiple shacks in the Aussenkehr informal settlement, primarily made of reed, were destroyed after a fire broke out in one of the houses. According to a report provided by the Namibian Police, the blaze, driven by a strong wind, destroyed 72 shacks before the fire could finally be extinguished. The cause of the fire at this point is not yet determined and an investigation in this regard has been launched. Felicia Motinga the assigned Popular Democratic Movement party’s (PDM) chairperson in the Karas region confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the fire broke out around…

11 Sep

MP pushes for N$100 000 fine on farmers neglecting road safety

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has proposed a fine between N$80 000 and N$100 000 for commercial farmers who fail to maintain a proper fence to keep animals away from roads that ends up causing road accidents. The proposal was made by Nico Smit while contributing to the Roads Bill debate in parliament on Tuesday. He said families are losing their loved ones and vehicles because of road accidents caused by animals that are supposed to be kept inside the fence but are allowed to roam freely on national roads. “There must be a fine for commercial and…

11 Sep

Rukoro group dragged to court for illegally seizing NUDO offices

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Kadhila Amoomo, who represents the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO), has formally cautioned Barry Rukoro and six others to refrain from calling themselves the party leaders and interfering with party leadership activities. Additionally, Rukoro's team received instructions to stop using the party letterhead or risk legal action. According to summons documents seen by the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday, the defendants (Rukoro and others) unilaterally seized the plaintiff's (NUDO) rental premises at Clemence Kapuuo Street, Windhoek, between August and September 2024. The lawyers claim that the group incorrectly assumed leadership. Under a lease agreement between the plaintiff and the…

11 Sep

LPM concerned about land allocation delays and maladministration

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJoyce Muzengua

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has raised concerns about delays and administrative challenges in the allocation of farming units to cooperatives, following the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform's announcement regarding Farm Kunibes No. 88 last month. Joyce Muzengua, the head of the human rights desk of the LPM, expressed concerns about the ministry's handling of the land allocation process, citing systemic maladministration. “One would definitely look at the time of application as to when these applications were done and how long it took for them to approve these applications. Contemporary applications are done over two to…

11 Sep

NEFC launches manifesto

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hilarius Hamutenya The Namibia Empowerment Fighting Corruption party (NEFC) will launch its first-ever election manifesto during its congress in Windhoek. The party was established in 2020 by Kenneth Iilonga, its founding president. Iilonga participated in the Local Authority and Regional Council election in 2020 in Walvis Bay. He contested as the candidate for the Walvis Bay Urban Constituency which was won by Deriu Benson of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). Iilonga said his party’s manifesto will include people with disabilities. ”We did not see people with hearing challenges being nominated in the list of parliament despite we have so many…

11 Sep

Serious concerns about Health Professions Bill in its current form

info_e12wt4csNational NewsKalumbi Shangula, Popular Democratic Movement

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Popular Democratic Movement’s (PDM) member of parliament, Nico Smit, said the current form of the Health Professions Bill raises significant concerns that could hinder the effective practice of healthcare professions rather than support it. Smit was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday while contributing to the proposed health professional bill debate, which was introduced by Minister of Health and Social Service Kalumbi Shangula recently. Smit stated that the bill presents several critical areas of concern that require a deeper evaluation to ensure the legislation effectively supports and regulates Namibia's healthcare professionals without imposing unnecessary barriers or compromising professional…