National News – Page 290

08 Dec

Namcor completes annual marine tanker offshore jetty drill test

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamcor completes annual marine tanker offshore jetty drill test

Martin Endjala The National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor) has announced the successful conclusion of its Annual Marine Tanker Jetty Offshore Industrial Drill test. The drill, conducted in collaboration with the Namibian Port Authority (Namport), the Namibian Navy, Namibian Police Force, Walvis Bay Municipality Traffic Department and the Walvis Bay Fire brigade, took place at the Namcor offshore Tanker Jetty on 1 December 2023. Namcor Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Manager Paulo Coelho said that this year’s drill was centred around a comprehensive offshore emergency response procedure, covering firefighting, evacuation, search and rescue operations. He added that the objective was to evaluate…

08 Dec

Namibia Affirms commitment to combat corruption

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia Affirms commitment to combat corruption

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia, while commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day, reiterated its commitment to the continued fight against corruption. During the event held in Katima Mulilo this week, Director-General for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Paulus Noa, underscored the global initiative launched by the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2003, emphasising the shared responsibility of individuals in putting an end to corruption. Noa stressed the significance of Namibia’s adherence to the Convention since 2006, with the ACC leading the annual commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day. The core mandate of the ACC, he asserted, includes the investigation of corruption allegations and taking…

08 Dec

Namfisa imposes cap on some medical aid…Medicial aid industry worth N$1.9 billion

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamfisa imposes cap on some medical aid…Medicial aid industry worth N$1.9 billion

Staff Writer The Namibia Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has embarked on proactive measures aimed at securing the long-term sustainability of the medical aid fund industry. In response to the escalating challenges posed by rising medical aid contribution rates, Namfisa says it is dedicated to members’ well-being and industry sustainability, and has implemented a temporary cap on some funds’ annual contribution increases, limiting it to a single-digit percentage (maximum increase of 9.99%). The industry has been given until 20 March 2024, to submit additional contribution increase applications along with realistic medium-term strategies to address the sustainability of the funds. Namfisa…

08 Dec

Payment delays are a major concern

info_e12wt4csNational NewsPayment delays are a major concern

Stefanus Nashama Alex Shimuafeni, the Statistician-General of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), said that addressing payment delays, primarily due to verification processes, was a significant concern during the enumeration and post-enumeration survey periods. Apart from other challenges faced during these two critical phases, Shimuafeni shared these insights at a media conference held yesterday in Windhoek, providing an update on the 2023 population and housing census and the post-enumeration survey. “Fieldworkers faced compensation issues, and advocates, along with key stakeholders, worked tirelessly to resolve them,” Shimuafeni stated. To expedite the verification process and maintain accuracy, the NSA recruited additional temporary staff.…

08 Dec

Namibia urged to prioritise environmental sustainability

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Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, Melania Ndjago has stressed the need for Namibia to bolster its commitment to environmental sustainability. Drawing inspiration from discussions at the Nevsky International Ecological Congress held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, earlier this year, Ndjago outlined several key recommendations in a report aimed at fostering a green and sustainable future for Namibia. The first recommendation advocates for the government, specifically through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, to construct or reinforce legal corridors that encourage and support organisations, individuals and businesses to operate in an environmentally…

08 Dec

NamPower pioneers innovative electricity storage solution

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamPower pioneers innovative electricity storage solution

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) has concluded the acquisition process of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the Omburu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). According to Tangeni Kamangula, NamPower’s Manager of Corporate Communication and Marketing, the state-owned utility company is set to sign the contract for the establishment of the BESS project with the Shandong Electrical, Engineering and Equipment Group and Zhejiang Narada Power Source joint venture next Wednesday. Kamangula indicated that the signing of the contract will officially launch a new aspect of NamPower’s ability to provide electricity to the nation. The Omburu Battery Energy…

08 Dec

Namibia is advancing digital inclusion

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has set itself the ambitious goal to provide aims to provide broadband speeds of at least two Megabits per second (2Mbps) to 95 percent of the population by 2024 to enhance its digital infrastructure and to empower marginalised citizens in a rapidly evolving digital world as well. The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has been hard at work and has been making significant strides in implementing the National Broadband Policy and its Action Plan. This initiative which was launched in February 2020, is a testament to the country’s commitment to bridging the digital divide,…

07 Dec

RP warns the government against secret negotiations with the WHO

info_e12wt4csNational NewsRP warns the government against secret negotiations with the WHO

Stefanus Nashama Henk Mudge, the President of Namibia’s Republican Party (RP), has issued a warning to the Namibian Government to not engage in secret negotiations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Mudge, while addressing a press conference in Windhoek, expressed concern about WHO’s proposed amendments to the existing International Health Regulations of 2005 and the introduction of a New Pandemic Treaty. Mudge raised apprehensions about the WHO, describing it as an unelected body consisting of what he called “arrogant billionaires” known as the Globalists who are pushing a One World Government agenda. According to him, their ultimate goal is to…

07 Dec

LPM annoyed by Petroleum Commissioner for declining invitation

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLPM annoyed by Petroleum Commissioner for declining invitation

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has expressed disappointment with Maggy Shino, the Petroleum Commissioner, for declining an invitation from the party to make a presentation at its upcoming policy conference. The invitation, extended to Shino by the LPM’s Deputy Leader and Chief Strategist, Henny Seibeb, aimed to shed light on Namibia’s oil and gas strategy, local economic empowerment and beneficiation. Seibeb said the party regrets Shino’s response and labelled it as displaying a disregard for the nation’s citizens. “Regrettably, your response to our invitation has been received with disappointment, exhibiting a disregard for our nation’s citizens, coupled with an…

07 Dec

CoW set to lose N$524 million through debt relief program

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCoW set to lose N$524 million through debt relief program

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek (CoW) Council has announced a debt relief program for eligible residents and businesses, which will see the city losing a total amount of N$524 million of revenue. Deputy Mayor, Joseph Uapingene announced this yesterday while giving highlights from the Ordinary Council meeting held last week. He said the program will offer 100 percent interest cancellation for pensioners and 50 percent interest cancellation for businesses, residential debtors and other debtors. “The program will start in 2024, and the exact date and application details will be shared with the public later. The council hopes that this…