Page 737 – Windhoek Observer

03 Apr

Global unity needed to battle cybercrime

National News

Niël Terblanché The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Modestus Amutse, called on United Nations member states to urgently finalize the Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Criminal Purposes. Amutse spoke at the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum where he said that unity will be a critical step forward in the global fight against the ever-evolving threat of cybercrime. He highlighted the need for a unified and robust legal framework to prosecute cybercrime perpetrators effectively. The deputy minister emphasized that the complexity and borderless nature of cyber threats demand a cohesive effort…

03 Apr

President Mbumba commissions new Delimitation Commission

National News

Niël Terblanché In order to reassess and possibly reshape the electoral landscape, President Nangolo Mbumba officiated the commissioning of the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commissioners at State House. This key event marks the beginning of the fifth Delimitation Commission's work since Namibia gained independence, reflecting the nation's commitment to ensuring equitable representation and governance. Presidential Press Secretary, Alfredo Hengari said that the commission's task is to evaluate the current regional and constituency boundaries. He added that this assessment aims to determine the necessity for modifications to enhance development planning and ensure effective governance. “The initiative is grounded in the Constitution…

03 Apr

SIM card suspension causes pandemonium

Main

Niël Terblanché The completion of the mandated SIM card registration exercise, as directed by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has left thousands of mobile phone users temporarily disconnected from network services. This follows the March 31st deadline, which marked the end of an extensive campaign aimed at enhancing security and customer verification processes within the country's telecommunications sector. Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Namibia's largest mobile operator, reported a registration compliance rate of 83.3 percent, having successfully registered 1,613,893 SIM cards. However, 323,236 users failed to meet the deadline, rendering their SIM cards suspended, but not deactivated, pending compliance.…

03 Apr

PDM condemns exorbitant electricity prices

National NewsPDM condemns exorbitant electricity prices

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has expressed concern towards the costs of electricity, emphasising the urgent need for transparency and accountability from all involved stakeholders. PDM Member of Parliament Hidipo Hamata, said there should be clarity on the factors contributing to the inflated prices, while underscoring the necessity for both government and regulatory bodies to prioritise the welfare of people“We demand an end to the delays and bureaucratic hurdles faced by consumers, particularly in remote areas in accessing essential infrastructure such as transformers. Every Namibian has the right to reliable and affordable electricity, and no one should be subjected to undue…

03 Apr

Namibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit

Energy, National NewsNamibia to host inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia is set to host the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) in Windhoek, from 3 - 5 September 2024. Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board Senior Manager for Marketing, Branding & Communications Catherine Shipushu announced this today in Windhoek.She said the summit will be hosted under the theme “From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution”. Adding that the summit will focus on the strategic role Africa expects to play in the global hydrogen market and will facilitate collaboration and advance dialogue across policy, investment and the emerging hydrogen value chain.“Following the initial announcement made as…

02 Apr

Okahandja suffers as the tide of copper theft rises

National News

Niël Terblanché During the early hours of a Sunday morning, the residents of Smarties Extension 9 in Okahandja were shaken awake by an explosion before being engulfed in darkness once again. As the sun rose, the grim reality became apparent: three copper cables, lifelines of electricity to their homes, were severed from a transformer, leaving the community powerless and in despair. This theft, described by onlookers as "barbaric," signals a burgeoning crisis not unique to Okahandja but reflective of a distressing trend across nations. Okahandja is struggling with an escalating wave of copper cable theft. This malaise isn't merely a…

02 Apr

Namibia aims to strengthen inland fisheries

National News

Niël Terblanché In order to bolster the sustainability and productivity of inland fisheries, Namibia's Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has laid out a comprehensive plan for the 2024-2025 financial year, seeking over N$61 million in funding. Minister Derek Klazen highlighted the ministry's proactive approach towards understanding and enhancing the nation's aquatic resources through detailed biological surveys conducted across major rivers and water bodies, including the Zambezi, Kwando, Kavango, and Orange Rivers. During his budget motivation, Klazen said that the past financial year saw the ministry engage in a multifaceted strategy to nurture the aquaculture sector. This included the implementation…

02 Apr

Namibia and Türkiye go ahead with new Parliamentary cooperation

National News

Niël Terblanché In order to foster improved international collaboration, Namibia and Türkiye have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering parliamentary cooperation. This historic event took place in Istanbul, with Professor Peter Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, and his Turkish counterpart, Professor Numan Kurtulmuş, leading the ceremony. The MoU signifies a mutual commitment to upholding core values such as respect for human rights and the promotion of global peace. Professor Katjavivi emphasized this shared vision, while Kurtulmuş expressed an eagerness to deepen ties between the two nations. While speaking about the current low volumes…

02 Apr

Environment ministry underperforms in Water Point rehabilitation

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja In a recent report by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke, on the accounts of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) for the financial year ended 31 March 2023, it has been revealed that the ministry has under-achieved in the rehabilitation of water points, with the Ministry reporting zero actual achievements against a target of three. The ministry’s Accounting Officer cited a lack of funding and challenges experienced in the Etosha National Park, a targeted area, as primary reasons for this shortfall. According to the report, while some targets were met satisfactorily, such as the percentage progress made…

02 Apr

Government avails N$183 million to settle debts incurred during free water supply during COVID-19

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development of Namibia, has availed N$183 million to be paid to regional councils, local authorities and NamWater for costs incurred in free water supplied to vulnerable groups of society during the Covid-19 lockdown period in 2020. Minister Erastus Uutoni, announced recently that the money is part of the N$ 2.5 billion allocated to his ministry for the 2024/25 financial year. Another amount of N$113 million is to assist local authorities in paying compensation for land that was allocated and occupied under customary land rights but has since become part…