Month: August 2023

A 37-year-old suspect in the alleged fatal stabbing incident which took place on Thursday evening at Otjiwarongo, was arrested on Friday in the Tsaraxa-Aibes informal settlement while in hiding.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) head of community affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha on Saturday said the suspect allegedly stabbed to death Ismael Gawiseb, (age unknown) in a fight.

“It is alleged that the two were involved in an altercation at about 19h00 on Thursday in the Tsaraxa-Aibes informal area before Gawiseb was stabbed once in the chest with a kitchen knife,” said Mbeha.

The suspect fled the crime scene and went hiding in the same informal area where he was arrested, she said.

During his arrest on Friday, a knife suspected to have been used in the stabbing incident was found with him, and it was seized, said Mbeha.

Gawiseb’s next of kin were informed of his death, while the suspect is set to appear in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on Monday.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Namibian Government and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) will as of next week Tuesday, run a National Green Hydrogen Roadshow, to share information on the project with various stakeholders.

In a joint statement on Saturday, the roadshow is set to commence in the Khomas region and will subsequently tour major towns spanning all fourteen regions nationwide, before it concludes in October this year.

It said, the Hyphen project is being developed as the first step in the implementation of the government’s strategy to establish a large-scale green hydrogen industry in Namibia to support economic growth in the country with a total investment of US.dollar 10 billion, roughly the equivalent of Namibia’s annual Gross Domestic Product.

It is estimated that the project will create up to 15 000 new jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent jobs during its operation, with a target for around 90 per cent of these jobs to be filled by Namibians. Hyphen is further targeting 30 per cent of local procurement for goods, services and materials throughout both the construction and operational phases.

The roadshow meetings, according to the statement will be led by the Director-General of the National Planning Commission and Chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council Obeth Kandjoze, and hosted by the regional Governors, Chairpersons and Constituency Councillors, with presentations from Hyphen.

“Hyphen’s project is one of the largest green hydrogen projects globally, and will supply and contribute to the decarbonisation of Namibia’s energy systems, as well as export green ammonia to international markets,” it read.

It further noted that Hyphen is targeting the annual production of one million tonnes of green ammonia by 2027, with plans to increase annual production to two million tonnes by 2029, cutting 5-6 million tonnes in CO2 emissions every year.

Operating at full scale, Hyphen’s project could produce 350,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, the statement concluded.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The 11th National Fish Consumption Day (NFCD) will be held at Katima Mulilo, in the Zambezi Region next month.

This was announced at the launch of the event by the National Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) in Walvis Bay on Friday.

The event set to take place on 28 September is a collaboration between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), NFCPT and stakeholders. It was initiated in 2012 to promote fish consumption at the regional level but has over the years since been rolled out in 10 host regions.

NFCPT annually raises funds for regional educational development in the host region through this initiative, by procuring school items that are needed by that region.

Speaking at the event, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Derek Klazen commended the NFCPT’s efforts in demonstrating the commitment of stakeholders in the fishing industry to contribute to achieving quality education for the children.

“I would also like to commend the Trust for its efforts to establish its footprints in all parts of our country by establishing fish shops in all the regions and I am happy to announce that the Trust plans to inaugurate its newly-built fish shop in Ondangwa later this month,” he noted.

Klazen further explained that Namibia aims to achieve at least 20,4 kilograms of fish consumption per person per year, which translates to about 47 000 Metric Tons (MT) consumed within Namibia per year.

“Ultimately, we want to see at least 30 per cent of horse mackerel Total Allowance Catch or about 100 000 MT, sold locally.

This policy objective is informed by the fact that the sale of fish locally will stimulate economic activities and promote enterprise development,” he expressed.

The minister went on to say that the 100 000 MT of fish is intended to be sold by Namibians in fish shops and on the streets, in different forms such as dried, smoked, frozen and canned, which are all value-addition activities meant to create jobs for Namibians.

Zambezi Region Governor Lawrence Sampofu in his acceptance speech said the region has many schools struggling with acquiring school supplies and will therefore benefit from the funds generated from the event.

The day will include an array of activities such as school activations, school tournaments, fish sale promotions, cooking competitions, a gala dinner and market day.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Curbing national security threats such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) in the maritime domain will improve food security, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla said on Thursday in Lagos.

Ogalla made the declaration at the handover of six Glass Reinforced Plastic Riverine Boats manufactured for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development by the Naval Dockyard Ltd.

Ogalla said the boats would be used to access riverine communities to monitor and support agricultural activities and ensure food security.

“This occasion is particularly special as it connotes several landmark moments that exists between the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

“The relationship between both government institutions is based on mutual interests and shared values that date back in history.

“The production of the boats for the ministry demonstrates the existing collaboration and synergy between both institutions of government to promote food and environmental security,’’ he said.

He added that the boats were conceptualised, designed and built to suit the requirements of the ministry as well as the environment in which they are to operate.

“These boats are part of the first steps the Nigerian Navy has made towards indigenising ship construction and maintenance.

“The vessels are primarily tailored to effectively serve the ministry’s need in reaching coastal maritime communities and boosting agriculture and food production,’’ he said.

Ogalla added that the occasion was symbolic as it underscored the strength and importance of collaboration between government agencies.

“In this case, it is the Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture implementing policies and programmes of the central government to ensure overall prosperity of society.

“The collaborative relationship between the Navy and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture can be emulated; it enables agencies of government to work together seamlessly to enhance national security,’’ Ogalla stressed.

In his remarks, Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the boats would facilitate fisheries monitoring, surveillance, collection of and production of data and consequently aid the elimination of IUUF.

Sanwo-Olu was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Gboyega Soyanwo.

He noted that IUUF was a major threat to the nation’s fisheries resource.

“These illegal activities do not only disrupt fish biodiversity in the state’s aquatic ecosystem, it also adversely affects the livelihood of more than 150,000 fisher-folks operating in 325 artisanal fishing communities.

“This subsector of fisheries currently contributes 177,459 tons of fish representing about 85 per cent of the annual fish production of Lagos State.

“The vessels received today will make it possible for us to actively monitor the waters and take swift action against those who seek to exploit our marine resources unlawfully,’’ he said.

He added that the boats would also facilitate the collection of fisheries data which are essential for planning, design, and implementation of appropriate interventions to develop artisanal fisheries in the state.

“These strategic efforts and other initiatives will contribute to substantial improvement in fish production within the state and set a remarkable precedent for others to follow.

“The patrol boats will undoubtedly bolster these endeavours, enabling us to achieve even greater milestones in the years ahead.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for its unwavering support and for recognising the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle IUUF.

“It is my firm belief that we can successfully combat IUUF, improve artisanal fisheries, positively impact coastal and estuarine communities and create a thriving and sustainable future for all,’’ he stressed.

He called on stakeholders in the subsector to reaffirm their collective commitment to the responsible management of fisheries resources and the protection of the environment for future generations.

“Lagos State with a population of more than 24 million people is faced with numerous challenges which cannot be left to the state government alone.

“I solicit more collaborative efforts from the Federal Government, the private sector and donor agencies to facilitate an inclusive development of the state,’’ he said.

In her remarks, Director, Special Duties at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Fausat Lawal expressed gratitude to the Navy for its commitment and dedication to protecting national marine resources.

She said the Navy’s diligent efforts had led to the arrest of numerous individuals involved in IUUF.

“As we take possession of these boats, we are strengthening our enforcement capabilities and also sending a clear message to those who engage in IUUF that their actions will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

“I express my appreciation to the skilled individuals involved in the construction of these boats.

“Their expertise and dedication has resulted in these vessels that are functional and built to withstand the challenges of Nigeria’s coastal environment,’’ she said.

The director said that the carrier boats would be distributed to four coastal states of Lagos, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

“Let us use this occasion as a catalyst for further collaboration, innovation and commitment to the sustainable management of our shared fisheries resources,’’ she admonished.

Also speaking, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor said the patrol boats would provide security that would help to reduce poverty, enhance food security and enhance rural development.

Offor said Akwa Ibom would continue to work with the Nigerian Navy to improve the livelihood of people in riverine communities.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria