National News – Page 344

01 Sep

Namibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia needs to upscale its artisan skills: Kasete

Martin Endjala Chambers of Mines President, Zebra Kasete, has implored Government and industry players to reinvigorate artisan training programmes in the country to upscale skills to align them with the demands of emerging industries such as oil and gas and green energy. He said artisans in Namibia have good entry skills, but lack expertise in new industries which could be a serious concern if not addressed immediately. Kasete made this call on Wednesday at the official opening of the 10th Mining Expo in Windhoek under the theme “Namibia’s Role in the Sustainable Supply of Minerals to Support the Global Energy…

01 Sep

Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBryan Eiseb, e Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Solar Revolving Fund targets to finance 400 off-grid households

Martin Endjala The Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Bryan Eiseb, has announced that the Solar Revolving Fund (SRF) aims to finance 400 off-grid households during the current financial year. Eiseb made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the service level agreement between the ministry and the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. He said for this objective to be achieved, the ministry has established strategic alliances with various Regional Electricity Distributors that allows consumers living in known areas to make use of available financing program and subsidy, to enable…

01 Sep

CRAN Board commits to performance agreements

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCRAN Board commits to performance agreements, Dr Peya Mushelenga

Niël Terblanché The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has taken a decisive step towards enhancing governance and accountability by signing Performance and Governance Agreements. The signing ceremony, overseen by ICT Minister, Dr Peya Mushelenga, signifies a commitment to transparent and effective operations in the best interest of the Namibian public. During the signing ceremony, Mushelenga emphasized the importance of acting with fairness, good faith and transparency. The minister urged the directors to prioritise the principles of accountability and maintain an independent perspective while focusing on delivering valuable services to the public. Highlighting the crucial role that CRAN plays in…

01 Sep

Lack of roads will hinder the progress of the Rundu abattoir

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLack of roads will hinder the progress of the Rundu abattoir, Rundu Abattoir

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Kavango East Region Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo said the region needs to address critical issues of road infrastructure to avoid hindrance to the progress of the recently inaugurated Rundu Abattoir. Amidst the excitement over the new state-of-the-art abattoir facility, Wakudumo highlighted the essential role roads play in ensuring the abattoir’s success and broader economic benefits during the official handover yesterday. Wakudumo expressed gratitude for the facility’s establishment, recognising its capacity to slaughter 80-120 cattle per day, contributing significantly to the livestock sector’s growth and the region’s economic growth. However, he didn’t shy away from voicing his concerns about the…

01 Sep

Corruption at the heart of NAMCOL staff resignation: Amupanda

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCorruption at the heart of NAMCOL staff resignation: Amupanda

Stefanus Nashama Affirmative Repositioning Movement Leader, Job Amupanda has criticised Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) for failing to hold accountable an employee who was reported to have misappropriated N$305,770.00 of student funds. The activist leader accused the institution of organising the employee’s resignation without taking serious action because there were people from high offices involved. “The corrupt chain has organised that the accountant resigns,” he said. Amupanda said while NAMCOL is claiming to have a zero-tolerance stance against theft, fraud and corruption, he has been informed that someone had started deleting information regarding the matter to protect the ‘corrupt…

01 Sep

Tantalum mining to commence next year

info_e12wt4csNational News

Martin Endjala Swanson Tantalum Mining production is set to commence with mining operations between October and November 2024. With a feasibility study already completed and a final investment of USD7 million in finance already secured together with all necessary permits the company is ready to start production. Acadia Minerals Chief Executive Officer Philip Le Roux explained that a large number of well-mineralised pegmatites are also present on the property and the potential of the occurrences is highlighted by extensive, small-scale mining activities where tantalum, beryl and spodumene were extracted from the pegmatites. He was speaking at the 2023 Mining Expo…

01 Sep

DBN signs concessional loan agreement to mitigate climate challenge

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDBN signs concessional loan agreement to mitigate climate challenge, Development Bank of Namibia (DBN)

Stefanus Nashama The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) on Wednesday signed a N$600 million concessional loan agreement with the KfW, the German Development Cooperation, to develop infrastructure to mitigate challenges presented by climate change. During the signing ceremony this week, both institutions announced that the loan will be used to develop climate-related infrastructure, such as renewable energy, water and low-carbon transport projects. The agreement follows the first credit line amounting to approximately N$240 million, which was signed between DBN and KfW in December 2018. DBN Chief Executive Officer, Martin Inkumbi said the first credit line after being successfully placed in…

31 Aug

Billions budgeted for upgrade of Telecom infrastructure

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBillions budgeted for upgradeof Telecom infrastructure, Stanley Shanapinda

Stefanus Nashama Telecom Namibia has revealed its plans to invest N$2.3 billion in the upgrading and replacing of the company’s ageing infrastructure over the next five years, to improve and maintain its service delivery to clients. Telecom Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Shanapinda, made the revelations this week during an interview with Windhoek Observer. According to Shanapinda, the money would be spent through the rollout of fibre, replacing the Fixed Mobile Convergence Core, Operations Support Systems, Business Support System and mobile expansion. He said the company is obliged to invest 15 percent of its revenue in capital projects to maintain…

31 Aug

Vandals destroy TransNamib infrastructure in the South

info_e12wt4csNational NewsStanding Committee on Economics and Public Administration, Vandals destroy TransNamib infrastructure in the South

Hertta-Maria Amutenja TransNamib, the national railway company, finds itself grappling with a surge in vandalism and significant infrastructural damage that has taken a toll on the country’s vital railway networks in the southern regions. While engaging TransNamib staff, Members of Parliament on the Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration have been briefed on the daunting task of maintaining rail infrastructure that is persistently subjected to severe damage and vandalism in areas like Luderitz and Keetmanshoop. In a resolute effort to revitalize Namibia’s railway sector, the Standing Committee has embarked on a series of onsite visits to Luderitz and Keetmanshoop…

31 Aug

WHO Secretary-General engages in bilateral talks during Namibian visit

info_e12wt4csNational NewsDr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Secretary-General engages in bilateral talks during Namibian visit

Niël Terblanché Namibia on Wednesday welcomed the Secretary General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on a consequential two-day visit. At the start of the visit, Dr Ghebreyesus paid a courtesy call to President Hage Geingob at State House. President Geingob commended the WHO’s commitment to global health concerns and acknowledged Dr Ghebreyesus’s exceptional leadership within the organisation. The visit is characterised by a series of significant engagements with top officials, aimed at reinforcing collaborative efforts in tackling global health challenges and celebrating Namibia’s achievements in healthcare advancements. Dr Ghebreyesus praised President Geingob’s steadfast leadership and…