Day: May 19, 2023

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LAPSSET Corridor Ministerial Meeting Adopts Juba Commitments, Roadmap to Its Implementation

The third LAPSSET Corridor Program Ministerial Meeting concluded today with the adoption of the Juba Commitments and the road map for the implementation of the LAPSSET project.

The Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Program is Eastern Africa’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure project bringing together Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

The third LAPSSET) Corridor Program Ministerial Meeting was held in South Sudan, Juba under the theme “Fast-tracking LAPSSET Implementation for Peace, Growth, Sustainable Development and Regional Integration” in Juba, South Sudan for the last three days.

The high-level representatives of the footprint countries made their closing remarks commending the host country, South Sudan for the warm hospitality accorded to their respective delegations as well as UNECA for taking on the key role of coordination for realizing this meeting.

During the closing ceremony, Dhenge Boru, State Minister of Transport of Ethiopia, made remarks where he emphasized the pertinence of the LAPSSET project in boosting economic cooperation and regional integration.

He also called on member states to take their respective leading roles in expediting the implementation of the project and stressed Ethiopia’s relentless commitment in this regard.

The state minister, as part of expediting the LAPSSET, also mentioned a historic contractual agreement signed between Ethiopia and South Sudan for the highway construction in the presence of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In his closing speech, General Madut Biar Yel, Minister of Transport, highlighted South Sudan’s priority projects for the LAPSSET corridor development and affirmed his country’s commitment to work towards its realization.

The closing ceremony was graced by high representatives from the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Kenya, and UNECA in the presence of Bacha Debele, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, and Nebil Mahadi, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.

The LAPSSET corridor development 4th Ministerial Meeting will be held in Kenya next year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Farmworker dies in house fire

The half-burned body of 47-year-old Peter Swartbooi was discovered on Farm Diamond in the Klein Aub area by his employer Thursday morning.

In a crime report released by the Namibian Police on Thursday, it is alleged that Swartbooi died in a house fire that is suspected to have been caused by a candle.

According to the crime report, the employer went looking for him at his house when he did not show up for work. He then saw the burnt house and found the deceased lying next to the bed.

The exact cause of the fire is still unknown and no foul play is suspected.

The next of kin have been informed as police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Capricorn Foundation donates to Women at Work’s hospitality course

The Capricorn Foundation recently contributed N.dollars 350 000 to Women at Work’s second intake graduation event, which saw eight students graduating after completing an eight-week hospitality course.

In a media statement issued on Friday, Capricorn Foundation Coordinator Veripura Muukua stated that the mission of Women at Work is to be the catalyst for change in the lives of unemployed Namibian women by providing high-quality basic skills training and facilitating suitable, stable employment through its employment bureau.

“The Capricorn Foundation is excited to make a difference in the lives of these ladies by helping them with the opportunity to improve their skills and a chance in the job market. This is also contributing to reducing the Namibian unemployment rate and promoting economic advancement,” she said.

She explained that the foundation contributes to the hospitality course, which is available to young people who have not completed their education and consequently find it difficult to find employment.

The course consists of four components: life skills, cleaning skills, laundry skills, and cooking skills. Students spend six weeks at the training centre doing practicals and theory, followed by two weeks in an internship.

Muukua said students must achieve a 60 per cent pass rate in the examinations.

According to Women at Work General Manager, Pat Sivertsen, eight of the nine students from the first intake this year are already employed.

“This just goes to highlight the impact that Women at Work has on communities and its role in combating poverty and unemployment in Namibia,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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BoN disburses N.dollars 85.9 million in SME recovery loan scheme

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has disbursed N.dollars 85.9 million worth of loans in the re-launch of the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Economic recovery loan scheme.

A statement issued on Friday by the bank’s director of communications and international relations, Kazembire Zemburuka, said the re-launching of the scheme was in response to economic challenges faced by SMEs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The SME economy recovery loan scheme is starting to play a significant role in supporting the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Namibia,” said Zemburuka.

He said that since the re-launch the scheme has attracted applications from 200 SMEs countrywide.

Zemburuka explained that BoN is the latest institution to offer the scheme for its existing clients.

The loan scheme involves the allocation of N.dollars 500 million to eligible SMEs and SMEs can seek loans from N.dollars 50 000 to N.dollars 10 million.

Zemburuka added that the loans are disbursed at a rate equivalent to the current prime lending rate, with a reduction of 50 basis points and less stringent conditions.

He concluded that 80 out of the 200 SMEs that have submitted their applications have been granted loans, while the remaining 120 applications are undergoing review.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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