Day: November 24, 2023

The chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Association (CNFA), Matti Amukwa has called out Government for allocating Governmental Objective quotas to entities that are not right holders.

The chairperson was referring to among others the auction of governmental objective quotas of horse mackerel to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Amukwa during the Annual Fishing Industry Address in Walvis Bay on Thursday expressed concern on behalf of the industry, saying some Namibians do not benefit from their own ocean resources as a result of this.

‘I wish to clarify that Namibian fish belongs to all Namibians and not just right holders. Right holders are not entitled to Namibian fish at the exclusion of other Namibians. What we are saying is that the law in the Marine Resources Act of 2000, Section 33 provides mechanisms on how all, not a few, Namibians can benefit from Namibian fish, whether or not they are actively fishing,’ he expressed.

Amukwa explained that this mechanism amongs
t others includes the distribution of taxes and levies paid by fishing right holders to all Namibians through the national budgeting process.

‘We agree to governmental objectives and indeed the industry has been at the forefront in supporting Namibians in times of drought, floods and other calamities. We also support the process to stabilise support for governmental objectives from the fishing industry through existing right holders, as provided for in the law,’ he said.

There is however no need to create other quota holders for governmental objectives, contrary to the law, when this objective can be realised through existing right holders, he added.

Amukwa requested that if Government wants to create new rights and quota holders outside the provided Act, then it should be done through a revision of the Act through Parliament and with full stakeholder participation.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Road Fund Administration (RFA) on Friday donated N.dollars 9 million and 22 vehicles to the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) as part of their corporate responsibility.

During the handover ceremony in Windhoek, the Inspector General of the police force, Lieutenant-General Joseph Shikongo said the vehicles will assist NamPol in its quest to render quality service to the Namibian people and visitors alike.

‘Such donations will definitely assist us to ensure police visibility on our national roads. I find it imperative to reiterate that NamPol and RFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 11 October 2021, for the funding of the operation of traffic law enforcement,’ he said.

Shikongo emphasised that the donated vehicles are not just assets on wheels but are symbols of the trust that the public places in the police. He added that it is NamPol’s duty and obligation to ensure their judicious use and maintenance.

At the same occasion, RFA Chief Executive Officer, Ali Ipinge, said that as a road infrastructur
e maintenance funding organisation, the RFA seeks to ensure efficient and equitable funding of road maintenance with the limited resources they collect through road user charges.

‘We take note that more is needed to meet the demanding challenges of policing a modern society that is tech-savvy and finding many means to evade law enforcement. Making strides in road safety initiatives will require concerted efforts from all multi-faceted stakeholders,’ he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Over 300 men from the ||Kharas Region attended the third Namibia national men conference held under the theme ‘Zero male suicide, promoting positive masculinity’ on Thursday.

The one-day conference held at Keetmanshoop was organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.

In a speech read on his behalf, Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs and Marginalised Communities, Royal |Ui|o|oo urged men to encourage each other in a positive way, adding that they should share positive experiences that are helpful for others to learn from and promote a culture of non-violence.

‘Let us seek help when going through disappointments, rejection or any other situation that we find ourselves in. I am confident that as men we can strive for a culture of non-violence, we can resolve conflict with no violence,’ he said.

Statistics provided at the conference indicate that between August 2022 and June this year, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 623 suicides of which 511 ar
e men, translating to 82 per cent.

According to |Ui|o|oo the aim of the conference is to create platforms for men to discuss issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and issues of gender equality. It also aims to promote greater involvement of men in prevention of GBV and HIV and AIDS, safe motherhood, fatherhood initiatives, promote positive gender norms and positive change.

Speaking to this news agency, Ulrich Dawids, a farmer said the conference was a good platform for men to openly speak about issues affecting them without fear of being judged, urging the gender equality ministry to consider hosting it at a rural set up to have more people involved.

‘It should also be held in rural communities, where we can set up talks among men for us to learn from each other on how to deal with these issues because there are real problems, we see them within our families and communities and we need to know where we can go for help instead of resorting to violence,’ he said.

Participant Maurius Shikongo said: ‘This pla
tform enlightens us to deal with emotions because in society as the boy child we are taught to suppress our emotions and we do not know how to express ourselves. The boy child is not prepared for how to deal with toxic relationships, financial pressure and other issues. As men we need to love ourselves and take on what we can handle.’

Other topics the men deliberated on included how they feel laws of Namibia favours women and the girl child over men and boys, lack of employment as countries are moving into artificial intelligence, the issue of paternity, and the role of churches.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Helao Nafidi Town Council on Thursday re-elected Darius Shaalukeni as the town mayor, for the next 12 months.

Shaalukeni will be deputised by his fellow Swapo Councillor Penexupifo Matias, while Sackaria Haimbili, Fillipus Shimumunyen and Lucia Nghililewanga all Swapo remain members of the management committee.

Meanwhile, Independent Patriots for Change (IPCs) Loide Hamutenya and Elago Thomas both remain ordinary council members.

Haimbili was also re-elected as the chairperson of the management committee.

In his acceptance speech, Shaalukeni said that effective and efficient delivery is the core of their mission in the town with the hope to ensure all residents are provided the desired service.

‘We will work tirelessly to streamline processes, eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and ensure that essential services are delivered promptly and with the utmost professionalism to our inhabitants,’ he said.

He added that the goal of his party is to create an environment where residents can thrive, business c
an flourish and the equality of life for everyone is continually improved.

Further, Shaalukeni called on cooperation from all stakeholders, local business people and the inhabitants of the town in order to address challenges faced by the town for development.

He stressed: ‘By working hand in hand we will build a town worth desiring for both the locals and visitors’.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency