Survey warns of certification and safety gaps in oil sector

Survey warns of certification and safety gaps in oil sector

Allexer Namundjembo   A new Industrial Baseline Survey (IBS) says Namibia is not yet ready for large-scale oil and gas production because it lacks key technical certifications, strong health-and-safety systems and reliable compliance checks. The findings were shared in virtual session hosted by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).  The meeting, open to both NCCI members and non-members, centred on the nation's readiness for the upstream oil and gas sector. The IBS was launched in December 2024 and officially endorsed by the government. It was commissioned by NCCI and conducted by Deloitte Namibia, with contributions from the Ministry of…
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Airlink doubles Walvis flights

Airlink doubles Walvis flights

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Airlink has introduced a second daily flight between Johannesburg and Walvis Bay, boosting air connectivity between Namibia’s west coast and South Africa’s economic hub.  The additional service began on 4 July. Namibia Airports Company (NAC) chief executive officer Bisey /Uirab, speaking on behalf of Air Connect Namibia, said the added frequency supports Walvis Bay’s position as a key trade, investment, and tourism centre in Southern Africa. “This new Airlink expansion offers travellers improved air access to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. It is a strategic link that reinforces Walvis Bay's role as a Southern African trade, investment and tourism…
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NFA commends U20 women’s team for youth games performance 

NFA commends U20 women’s team for youth games performance 

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has congratulated the under-20 girls' national football team for for finishing fourth at the recently concluded USC Region 5 Youth Games. NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said on Tuesday that te teams performance inthe 10-nation tournament is a commendable achievement for the youth team. “The young Brave Gladiators displayed exceptional determination and skill throughout the competition, demonstrating significant progress and potential for Namibian women's football,” he said. Namibia lost 1-0 to South Africa and again Los 1-0 to Botswana in the third-place playoff. Moetie said the players showed talent, resilience, and fighting…
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Fuelgate: Elindi blames Namcor for faulty asset valuation

Fuelgate: Elindi blames Namcor for faulty asset valuation

Justicia Shipena Businessman Peter Elindi told the Windhoek Magistrates’ Court on Monday that he should not be blamed for the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor)’s internal asset valuation, which the state claims was flawed. “It’s not my problem if they did a bad job,” Peter said in his evidence-in-chief with his lawyer, Sisa Namandje. Elindi was testifying in his bail application in the ongoing N$480 million Namcor corruption and bribery case. He distanced himself from a valuation conducted by Namcor’s engineering and technical department, which the state has labelled a “sham”. Namandje referred to court documents alleging that the…
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Weddings off limit in pension purse

Weddings off limit in pension purse

Justicia Shipena Members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) will not be allowed to use their pension savings to pay for weddings. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi confirmed this during a press conference on the pension-backed home loan scheme (PBHLS), held on Monday. He said pension savings may also not be used for business ventures or any other non-housing-related expenses. “A member can access that money to finance their wedding; it is not allowed, and we unfortunately will not be able to allow the member to access money for that purpose, nor for other purposes, even including businesses,…
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Parliament to subpoena defiant institutions

Parliament to subpoena defiant institutions

Allexer Namundjembo Public and private institutions that ignore parliamentary invitations will be subpoenaed. The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources, Tobie Aupindi, warned on Monday.  Speaking at the opening of a capacity-building workshop with stakeholders in Swakopmund, Aupindi said the committee's engagements are a constitutional obligation, not a formality or courtesy.  “Some institutions think they are doing the committee a favour by attending. No, you are not. Some even send junior staff without executive powers or decision-making authority. That must stop," he said.  The committee oversees all matters related to the country's natural resources.  It comprises 24…
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Top court quashes High Court order in Oniipa land fight

Top court quashes High Court order in Oniipa land fight

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court has overturned a High Court ruling that ordered retired school principal and Oniipa resident Matheus Nuuyuni to remove fences  he had put up on several plots of land in Oniipa.  The court ruled that the Oniipa Town Council failed to prove it had possession of the disputed erven, which is required for a spoliation order. Nuuyuni, who held customary land rights before Oniipa was proclaimed a township, was compensated N$50,280.04 and given erven 115, 116, and 132 as part of a negotiated agreement with the Council.  Later, he fenced off additional plots, 114, 117, 118,…
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‘State came to court with dirty hands’ – Namandje

‘State came to court with dirty hands’ – Namandje

Justicia Shipena Defence lawyer Sisa Namandje has accused the state of abusing its power in the multi-million dollar Namcor corruption and bribery case.  He argued that the arrests were unnecessary and done to satisfy public pressure, not based on legal grounds. “The state, with respect, came to Court with dirty hands. It used the legal processes for an ulterior purpose. Accordingly, it will be against public policy to assist the state in such circumstances,” Namandje told the Windhoek Magistrates Court on Monday. He is representing businessman Peter Elindi, his brother Malakia Elindi, and Malakia’s wife, Lydia Elindi. The three are…
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Luvindao says tobacco quit programmes need improvement

Luvindao says tobacco quit programmes need improvement

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Health minister Esperance Luvindao says while tobacco cessation programmes exist in Namibia, they are not yet effective or systematic.  She made the remarks on Monday, during a parliamentary workshop on tobacco and alcohol tax reforms held in Windhoek. “Cessation is integrated into the substance use disorder treatment programme. However, application is not systematic, and we are committed to finalising the guidelines for tobacco cessation and strengthening the tobacco cessation programme,” Luvindao said. The tobacco product control act of 2010 and its 2014 regulations provide a legal framework for tobacco control, including bans on advertising and health warnings on…
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Energy conference rolls out career platform for youth

Energy conference rolls out career platform for youth

Staff Writer  The third Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC 2025) will introduce a half-day programme aimed at preparing young Namibians for careers in the country’s energy sector.  The new initiative, Future Generations Masterclass, was  launched in partnership with the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF). It designed to equip students, graduates, and young professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving oil and gas industry. The conference, which runs from 12 to 15 August in Windhoek, is themed “From Exploration to Action – Positioning Namibia as the Next Energy Frontier”.  It will feature global energy leaders, investors,…
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