Page 632 – Windhoek Observer

30 Apr

Halted infrastructure projects to cost Govt

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, lockdown

…TransNamib juggles lockdown decline in transport demand Andrew Kathindi The decision by the government to halt construction activity in the country as part of the lockdown regulations could come back to haunt it. It has emerged that the government may be obliged to pay millions more to complete the various infrastructure projects. The current lockdown prohibits a gathering of more than 10 people. Non-essential workers must stay at home. This has halted construction projects, including national road works countrywide. “With these works halted across the country, such as the Okahandja highway and Hosea Kutako upgrades and social infrastructure development at…

29 Apr

Air Namibia to reassess COVID-19 impact

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Covid-19

Andrew Kathindi Air Namibia Acting MD Elia Erastus said the airline will review the full impact of COVID-19 on its operations after 36 months even though they’ve managed to fully retain staff and pay salaries during the lockdown. Erastus revealed that Air Namibia has had zero revenue generation in the last month. He was hopeful the relaxation of lockdown regulations would allow the airline to focus on internal flights and generate some revenue. Erastus said the national airline will focus on regional flights to curb competition. He points out that the negative ripple effect of COVID-19 on airline operations is…

29 Apr

China debt relief not on the table-Shiimi

ObserverObserver MoneyChina, Covid-19, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi

Staff Writer Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi says government has not considered appealing for debt relief from China, in light of the increased financial burden that the emergence of COVID-19 has had on government coffers. This comes as government has continued to dig deep to fund various grants to assist those that have been hardest-hit by the effect of COVID 19 such as businesses and workers in tourism, construction and other service sectors. “It is not something that we have looked at and we don’t have a government position on that,” the finance minister said. Of the N$93 billion that government…

29 Apr

Prepare for the re-opening of Namibia now

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Fisheries Ministry, Namibia

The time to reset minds, attitudes businesses to a post-COVID-19 reality is now. Fisheries Ministry executive director Moses Maurihungirire allowed Erongo Marine Enterprises to go to sea despite the ban. Allowing one freezer vessel to go out while others remain on lockdown is not the way to re-open the economy. It is a poor start, but a start nonetheless. We can do better. Now that one vessel is out, the sea should be open for the other vessels as quickly as practicable. The last thing needed now is even more hostility on the docks due to the accurate perceptions about…

28 Apr

Maersk Sheerness docks at Walvis Bay

ObserverUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) on Friday received the largest vessel to ever dock in Namibian waters, the 335.41 meters long, 43.16 meters bean and a 7500 TEU capacity Maersk Sheerness. Namport’s Executive for Commercial Immanuel !Hanabeb said, “ the arrival of this vessel is of great significance, not only to the Ports Authority but to the entire country, as this is not only consistent with our values and drive to becoming Africa's Number 1 Port Authority but also places Namibia in a more competitive position as it now can accommodate bigger vessels.” He said the shipping industry has over…

28 Apr

Meatco donates corned beef

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Meatco

Staff Writer Meatco has donated 25 000 tins of corned beef to be distributed amongst Namibians that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Meatco CEO, Mushokabanji Mwilima the distribution of the corned beef will be left in the hands of the Regional Council who will oversee the distribution of the parcels to those who need them most. “Meatco will remain pragmatic during this time of need, I don’t want to go in too much detail for now. I just want to reiterate our willingness to assist however little; we are assisting our fellow Namibians/human beings with…

28 Apr

Namibia faces malnutrition headache

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, malnutrition, Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN)

Andrew Kathindi Nutrition experts have warned that cases of malnutrition in the country could rise due to increased job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are food secure as a nation but household’s access to food is becoming a challenge as financial resources are not available due to the ongoing loss of income and employment,” said Senior UNAM Lecturer, Nutritionist and founding Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) Board Member, Charlotte Keyter. She said the ongoing retrenchment and loss of income for those in the informal sector because of the COVID19 pandemic was impacting on…

28 Apr

SSC rolls out salary protection scheme

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Employment and Salary Protection Scheme, Social Security Commission (SSC)

…recipients must agree to not retrench for three months Andrew Kathindi The Social Security Commission (SSC) has officially unveiled the National Employment and Salary Protection Scheme for COVID-19 to cater for nine hard-hit sectors, including domestic workers. This relief package which comes to the value of N$623 million is being delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, which will provide N$400 million in cash from the taxpayer collections, with the balance coming from the SSC. SSC Executive officer Milka Mugunda said the sectors most hard hit by the pandemic will benefit, but the rollout will start with the tourism,…

28 Apr

Govt still to act on De Klerk extradition

ObserverObserver MoneyAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Marén de Klerk

Staff Writer Despite numerous announcements by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Windhoek Observer can reveal that no action has been taken with regards to extraditing accused Fishrot connected lawyer, Marén de Klerk from South Africa. De Klerk left the country in January after being questioned by the ACC and never returned. He is wanted by the authorities to answer questions about his alleged role in the Fishrot scandal. It is alleged De Klerk may have syphoned funds to the tune of N$50 million from the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) through the trust account of his law firm, De…

28 Apr

The climate of inconsistency

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Government

The state of emergency remains and the lockdown is not supposed to end until midnight May 4th. But, it is getting harder to tell that this is a time of world and national medical crisis from the increase in public movement on the streets. As usual in Namibia, the climate of inconsistency strikes again. With an infectious disease at stake, one wonders if people believe that stupidity is a contamination suit against germs. Everyone is passionate and burning with enthusiasm when programs begin, but as time passes, urgency is the first casualty. This is not only a Namibian 'thing'. It…