Walvis Bay – Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

22 Jul

We could have prevented this – Haufiku

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi The situation Namibia is in, and in particular, Walvis Bay, could have been avoided had preparations been done earlier, this according to former Health Minister, Dr Bernard Haufiku. The former minister, who at the beginning of the pandemic in Namibia was appointed as the National Coordinator for COVID-19, a decision that was later rescinded, told Windhoek Observer that he presented several scenarios to curb the spread of COVID-19 in April however all fell on deaf ears. This comes as the country has recorded 36 new cases on Wednesday, taking the tally to 1,402 positive cases and seven deaths.…

21 Jul

COVID death headaches

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi Government has again been caught ill prepared when it comes to the COVID-19 issue, as it emerged that no contingency plans were made in case the country recorded deaths. This comes as the country as of today (Monday) had now recorded four deaths according to the Ministry of Health, with thirteen cases extremely critical and in need of oxygen support. This comes as the Walvis Bay community has been up in arms with the local authority over its decision to bury the first COVID-19 death in the town. The Ministry leading the COVID-19 task force maintained its role…

17 Jul

Walvis Bay, Swakop classes to resume

ObserverObserver MoneyArts and Culture, Covid-19, Ministry of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, Swakopmund and Arandis, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has announced that face-to-face classes for grade 11 and 12 in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis will resume on Monday, the 20th of July despite rising cases of COVID-19 in some of the towns. Walvis Bay is currently the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the country with 40 out of the 46 cases recorded on Friday being from the costal town. On Wednesday, of the 72 new cases recorded, two were from Swakopmund and 68 were from Walvis Bay. Executive Director in the Education ministry, Sanet Steenkamp said although the return of…

10 Jul

Namibia records first COVID-19 related fatality

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay State Hospital

Staff Writer Namibia has recorded its first COVID-19 related death after a 45-year old male died on Wednesday the 8 July, three days after presenting himself at the Walvis Bay State Hospital. This comes as it emerged the deceased was only tested for the virus after he died. He had complained of dizziness, difficulty in breathing and a cough three days after he was previously seen at a health care facility. “On the 6th July 2020, the patient’s condition deteriorated. The patient complained of respiratory ailment. He showed signs of severe renal failure and sepsis. On the 8th July 2020…

07 Jul

Govt turns to mass houses for quarantine

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer Unallocated mass houses in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund could be turned into quarantine facilities amid rising COVID-19 cases and insufficient isolation centers. “I have requested the Governor to investigate the feasibility of using the unallocated mass houses in Swakopumd and Walvis Bay to place people there. The Governor has reported that 60 mass houses are available at Walvis Bay and 100 at Swakopmund we will determine how to utilize those,” President Hage Geingob said. “Isolation of positive Covid-19 cases in terms of locations must be done in ways that do not introduce or increase harm to the community.…

03 Jul

Schools to reopen Monday

ObserverObserver MoneyErongo, Ministry of Education, Swakop, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Education has reiterated its decision to re-open schools on Monday 6 July, following a 2-week delay in its initial phase in plan after a learner in Mariental tested positive for COVID-19 last month. The basic education minister, Anna Nghipondoka told Parliament on Thursday that aside from one region, schools countrywide were ready to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday. “The main concern we have is grade 11 and 12, especially in Erongo because now we are only having 6 schools, 4 in Erongo and 2 in Omusati that cannot open. In Erongo, Swakop and Walvis are…

01 Jul

NovaNam sends 1,800 employees home

ObserverObserver MoneyLüderitz, NovaNam Fishing Company, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer NovaNam Fishing Company has sent home 1,800 permanent workers on forced leave attributing the move to government’s decision to halve its fishing quota. Although the Windhoek Observer could not confirm the fishing company’s previous allocation, sources said the company had notified workers on Monday that they should stop reporting for work until it concludes negotiations with government over the slashing of its allocation. “Nobody knows when we’re coming back; they said they need to talk to government. That is why when they told us to go home; they didn’t put up a due date when we can resume…

26 Jun

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a policy; it is confusion

ObserverNational Newsfisheries minister Albert Kawana, Walvis Bay

In May, fisheries minister Albert Kawana announced that the government will allocate certain horse mackerel and hake quotas to six companies. To get these quotas, companies were supposed to hire about 1,300 fishermen who lost their jobs due to the Fishrot scandal. In addition, the government has buckled to pressure and awarded quotas to new rights holders from the over 5,000 submissions that were received during the national casting call for applications for fishing quotas two years ago. To satisfy these situations, the government has decided to rob Peter to pay Paul. This has made matters worse. To spread the…

26 Jun

Port of Walvis Bay receives record size vessel

ObserverUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer The Namibian Ports Authority received one of the largest vessels to ever dock in Namibian waters; CMA CGM operated MV Mediterranean Bridge, with the length of 335.63 meters. This comes after the Port of Walvis Bay successfully handled a trial call of the first 9,000 TEUs Maersk Sheerness with the length of 335 meters in April. The Mediterranean Bridge is discharging 1,781 TEU’s and loading 697 TEU’s, which amounts to a record of 2,478 TEU’s handled on a single vessel at the Port of Walvis Bay and the vessel is scheduled to depart on 25th June 2020. Amando…

25 Jun

Namport records increases in cargo shipments

ObserverUncategorisedLüderitz, Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) announced that it has handled one million tons of cargo carried along its four trade corridors from 01 April 2019 until 31 March 2020. Immanuel !Hanabeb, Executive: Commercial at Namport said the Port of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz had contributed equally to the success by recording 5,561,999 tons of cargo handled during this last financial year 2019/2020. “The largest portion of growth is reflected by the 100 percent increased activity along the Trans-Oranje Corridor as 204,301 tonnes of manganese ore was exported via the Port of Lüderitz. The benefit of the Trans-Oranje corridor…