Page 954 – News Stand

19 Feb

Alternative channels: affordable and accessible to all

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedFNB Namibia, FNB Points of Presence

Staff Writer “Over the past few years, FNB Namibia has focused on developing a strong financial service offering, with special emphasis on digitisation, says Rodney Forbes, Executive Officer: FNB Points of Presence. “This means that we are constantly finding ways and means to ensure that every customer of ours has access to banking services without a physical branch”. Forbes advised that the digitisation strategy of FNB has been successful thus far and has cemented the outlook of the bank that expanding and increasing its branch and ATM footprint is not part of the bank’s overall digitalisation strategy. “We review our…

19 Feb

Health ministry rules out test for Chinese vaccine

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Maria Hamutenya Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) says no compatibility tests will be made on the donated Chinese vaccine, which is set to arrive in Namibia soon. This comes after the Chines Ambassador Zhang Yiming yesterday, (Thursday) announced that it will be donating 100 000 Covid-19 vaccine doses on the request of the Namibian government. Despite findings that another Covid-19 drug developed by AstraZeneca and also due to arrive in Namibia at the end of the month under the COVAX facility is less effective on the new Covid strain, the ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, is adamant there…

19 Feb

Government stands firm on Air Namibia liquidation

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Finance minister, Government, Iipumbi Shiimi

Andrew Kathindi The Government is not backing down from its decision to voluntarily liquidate Air Namibia, after Finance Minister, Iipumbi Shiimi, yesterday (Thursday) defended government’s stance on the matter. “At this stage, the country’s economy can no longer afford to perpetually provide financial support to Air Namibia at the expense of supporting economic growth and critical social services. It is, therefore, with that consideration that government took a decision to file for the voluntary liquidation of Air Namibia,” said the Finance minister. This comes as Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa was also quoted by the local media saying government will not…

18 Feb

Govt to lose N$600m in quota fees …as 1100 jobs are threatened

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedFishcor, Government Gazettes, Seaflower Pelagic Processing (SPP)

Staff Writer African Selection Fishing Namibia (AFSN) Chairperson and Seaflower Pelagic Processing (SPP) majority shareholder, Adriaan (AJ) Louw, says N$ 600 million in quota fees alone, over the next 12 years, could be lost to Government, should it proceeds to approve the attempted termination of the joint venture between National Fishing Corporation of Namibia Limited (Fishcor) and AFSN. The businessman confirmed that over and above the quota fees of N$ 48 million per year, Fishcor could also lose their 40 percent share in the investment made. Employment of 655 workers will also be in jeopardy, while another 450 workers already…

18 Feb

BoN maintains Repo rate unchanged

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyBank of Namibia (BoN), Governor Johannes !Gawaxab

Staff Writer The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Namibia (BoN) resolved to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3.75 percent, Governor Johannes !Gawaxab, announced yesterday, on Wednesday. “The MPC is of the view that the rate remains appropriate to continue supporting domestic economic activity, while at the same time safeguarding the one-to-one link between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand. This decision was taken following a review of global, regional and domestic economic and financial developments.” Namibia’s stock of international reserves as on the 31st January, 2021, according to BoN, stood at N$34.4 billion compared…

18 Feb

Learners COVID-19 cases spike

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHealth and Social Services Ministry (MOHSS)

Kandjemuni Kariimui COVID-19 is starting to increase in schools with the Health and Social Services Ministry (MOHSS) announcing 288 leaners and eight teachers have been infected with the virus since Monday. This is despite assurances by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture in January that 90 percent of schools in the country were ready to re-open and receive students. Among the new confirmed cases, the Ekule Senior Secondary School in the Omuthiya District has recorded the highest Covid-19 cases with up to 101 learners testing positive. The Oshikoto Region as a whole has a total of 112 positive learners,…

18 Feb

NUNW guns for Jooste

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyLeon Jooste, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila, Public Enterprises minister

Maria Hamutenya and Kandjemuni Kamuiiri The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) is demanding the immediate dismissal of Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste. According to a petition handed over to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and SWAPO Secretary-General, Sophia Shaningwa, yesterday, on Wednesday, NUNW Secretary-General Job Muniaro, among others, is accusing the minister of violating his oath of office. In the petition, Muniaro alleged that Jooste had carried himself “in a dishonest manner, by under representing and deliberately misdirecting the Cabinet to take a decision that is tantamount to violation of Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution on state policy. Maintaining…

17 Feb

Pest Control Using Homemade remedies

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedGood Agricultural Practices

Hanks Saisai Crop production is an activity that involves the cultivation or tilling of land to enable people to grow their own food for self-sustenance. However, farmers can encounter several challenges before they can harvest their desired produce. One of the most predominant challenges are pests and diseases. Pests are organisms that attack crops by eating them or causing diseases. When growing crops, it is of great importance that farmers acquire knowledge of the types of pests that may attack and cause damage to crops. There are mainly four types of pests; chewing pests which eat and chew on crop…

17 Feb

LPM digs into CoW over land

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, Landless People’s Movement (LPM), LPM Councillor, Sade Shireen Gawanas

Staff Writer The Landless People's Movement (LPM) is accusing the City of Windhoek councillors of not prioritising land delivery in the city despite a high demand and limited supply of houses in the capital. LPM Councillor, Sade Shireen Gawanas, said although the City was currently sitting on thousands of square kilometres of land, which could be used to address the capital’s ballooning housing waiting list, nothing was being done. “Sitting in this council for the past two months, we have noticed that some issues and agendas are being pushed while there is no proper studies, investigations done. The total town…

17 Feb

NamRa secrecy irks NAPWU

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), NamRA

Andrew Kathindi The Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) has accused the Ministry of Finance of being secretive and failing to consult in the establishment of the Namibia Revenue Agency’s (NamRA) HR structures, amid concern the agency could become a gravy train for top management. According to the union, the agency is trying to create a management structure where a select few will benefit from bloated benefits, not in line with existing government pay structures, defeating its intended purpose. In a letter to the Finance Ministry Executive Director, Erica Shafudah, which is in the possession of Windhoek Observer, the public workers…