Observer Money

Small retail importers not protected from counterfeits confiscation
12 May

Small retail importers not protected from counterfeits confiscation

ObserverObserver Money,
Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), yesterday destroyed counterfeit goods valued at over N$5 million, which were confiscated following their illegal importation into the country. NamRa spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu told the Windhoek Observer that Small Enterprises or online boutiques locally known as "Order with me", that have gained momentum over the last few years are not protected from confiscation of counterfeit goods. Thus, they should familiarise themselves with the law to insure they order genuine instead of knockoff products to avoid confiscation. He added that "the counterfeit goods might be harmful to society as such goods would have not…
Read More
12 May

Mining sector prone to Illicit Financial Flows

ObserverObserver Money, , ,
Obrein Simasiku The extraction or mining sector is one of the most vulnerable to Illicit Financial Flows (IFF), because African authorities lack the expertise and the skills to seal loopholes, which in turn affects the economy and developmental growth of host countries and the continent. "The dependence of African countries on natural resources extraction for exports and revenues makes us extremely vulnerable to illicit financial flows. These sectors are prone to IFFs, trade mispricing including abusive transfer pricing, secret and poorly negotiated contracts and overly generous tax incentives," stressed Finance Deputy Minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende. She said this today when addressing…
Read More
Namibia, SA selected on IPU Russia/Ukraine task force
12 May

Namibia, SA selected on IPU Russia/Ukraine task force

ObserverObserver Money, , , , ,
Martin Endjala The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has elected Namibia and South Africa, as the only African countries to form a task force mandated to resolve the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflicts. This was revealed yesterday by the National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi during a courtesy visit from the members of the South African National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on a benchmarking visit to the National Council. Speaker Katjavivi with his counterpart Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula from South Africa, are the only leaders the IPU has vetted as representatives from Africa. Katjavivi pointed out that the gesture from the world’s parliamentary body,…
Read More
LPM wants corporates to develop communities
12 May

LPM wants corporates to develop communities

ObserverObserver Money, , ,
Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement is questioning the level of commitment of corporates to develop local communities where they operate. LPM says businesses, particularly mining companies are not ploughing back into the communities where they do business, resulting in the mushrooming of informal settlements across the Country. The party wants these companies to be held accountable. These sentiments were expressed by LPM Deputy Leader Henny Seibeb and the Youth Student Command Element leader Duminga Ndala. During today’s press conference held at the LPM headquarter in Windhoek under the theme mining and local development they particularly singled out Usakos, Omaruru…
Read More
Nekongo warned not to neglect SPYL ……breaks silence on youth league endorsement
12 May

Nekongo warned not to neglect SPYL ……breaks silence on youth league endorsement

ObserverObserver Money,
  Obrein Simasiku The Secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League may lose his influence over the organ when he goes to the National Assembly, after his appointment as a member of Parliament by President Hage Geingob.This is because Ephraim Negongo will now be required to focus on two jobs, while he should be preparing for his campaign to be re-elected in his current portfolio. Negongo is replacing the former Minister of Public Enterprises, Leon Jooste, but as an ordinary MP. Political analysts the Windhoek Observer spoke to says going to parliament for two-and-a-half years may impact negatively on his…
Read More
05 May

Government accused of “greenwashing”

ObserverObserver Money,
Tujoromajo Kasuto A survey conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Research Associate Dietrich Remmert, has accused the Namibian government of ‘’greenwashing’’ as a global leader in efforts to combat global warming and climate change. The report, which was released today, investigates how Namibia's tourism industry can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the report, Remmert argues that the ambiguities and contradictions that are allegedly evident in the government's pursuit of resource extraction projects such as oil and gas exploration, while presenting Namibia as a global leader in environment protection and sustainability are "disingenuous and…
Read More
N$15 million paid for human wildlife conflict
06 Apr

N$15 million paid for human wildlife conflict

ObserverObserver Money,
Staff writer The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has paid out N$ 15 126 402 on human wildlife conflict cases over the past three years. This is according to statistics released to the Windhoek Observer yesterday by Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson. The figures indicate that since 2019 to date the ministry has disbursed N$7 890 550 to conservancies, N$2 454 402 for livestock losses, N$2 291 450 for crop damages, N$2 000 000 for loss of life and N$490 000 for injuries caused by human wildlife conflict. Furthermore, the statistics indicate that there were 20 case of people…
Read More
28 Mar

Basic Income Grant could have supported the economy during lockdown …as government borrowed N$30.6 m daily

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Tujoromajo Kasuto A new report by Simonis Storm Securities (SSS), reveals that a temporary basic income grant would have gone a long way in providing support to those who lost their jobs, businesses or income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Once economic indicators demonstrated a meaningful recovery, the basic income grant could have been phased out to avoid dependency and to encourage people to seek employment. This policy intervention would have increased government debt and widened the budget deficit, but it would have supported the economy given that consumer spending is 70 percent of the Gross Domestic…
Read More
Redline an inhumane, discriminatory – AR
11 Feb

Redline an inhumane, discriminatory – AR

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Martin Endjala THE Veterinary Cordon Fence generally known as the Redline does not belong in a liberated unitary state, as it limits movement of people, that is protected in the Namibian constitution. This sentiment was expressed by the leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement leader Job Amupanda and lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who labeled the Redline as inhumane and discriminatory. The two were speaking at a public discussion in Windhoek, as part of the ongoing legal battle to have the Redline declared unconstitutional. “This redline is tantamount to violating human dignity and it perpetuates permanent damage to a person’s core”, said…
Read More
UNAM u-turns on mandatory vaccine notice
11 Feb

UNAM u-turns on mandatory vaccine notice

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Tujoromajo Kasuto THE University of Namibia (UNAM) has clarified that the mandatory vaccination that was imposed on students at the Rundu campus was merely an administrative error that has been corrected. The university came under fire in the last 24 hours after it was reported in the media that the university had imposed a mandatory vaccine mandate for students to be accepted into the hostel. Unam Spokesperson John Haufiku, says the university’s position on vaccines has not changed and remains voluntary. “Even at Rundu students who are not vaccinated are allowed in the hostel. I think what happened was that…
Read More