Day: July 23, 2023

PM Abiy Attending International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome, Italy Given its strategic position in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a source, transit, and destination for migration, Office of the Prime Minister said.

Accordingly, Ethiopia has taken several policies, legal and institutional measures to enhance migration governance, as well as to address irregular migration and human trafficking.

“The Conference aims to govern the migration phenomenon, combat human trafficking and promote economic development based on a new model of collaboration between states,” the Italian government said in a statement.

The conference is also expected to discuss many projects, including those in agriculture, energy, and education, according to media reports.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen said the implementation of the peace agreement is making steady progress.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the recognition given to the African Union as a whole in a recent closure event; bestowed a certificate of recognition to the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), leadership and the team for critical contributions for the success of the AU-led and Ethiopian-owned peace process and the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Speaking on the occasion Demeke said, the implementation of the agreement is making steady progress and the Government is committed for its full and timely implementation.

With the support and contribution of the AU the remaining tasks will also be realized, he added.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, on his part, expressed his gratitude on the recognition for the success of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

The conflicts in some other African countries can also be resolved taking a leaf from Ethiopian experience, he said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala said the region’s police holding cells are overcrowded.

Endjala made the remarks whilst delivering his State of the Region Address (SORA) recently for the financial year 2022/23.

According to Endjala, overcrowding in police holding cells worsens due to the growing trend in inmates’ pollution density.

He noted that the cell capacity in Outapi, Okahao, Ruacana, Tsandi, Onandjaba, Etayi, Oshifo and Oshikuku is 309, but they are currently accommodating 609 inmates.

“The delayed criminal cases in court is partly contributing to congestion of the police holding cells,” he said. Only seven of 16 police stations in the region have detention centres.

Endjala indicated that due to extensive repairs of holding cells, Outapi Police Station still lacks the capacity to house convicts.

Regarding the maintenance of law and order in the region, Endjala said it is still under control.

He said that this is due to vigilance and cooperation between residents and the law enforcement agents.

However, Endjala indicated that increasing assault offences and domestic violence remain a grave concern.

“Though the crime rate in the region fluctuated, with stealing cases ranking first. The numbers of theft and home invasions with intent to steal have alarmingly risen,” he added.

He cited that the rise in stock theft occurrences were reported, particularly in Uukolonkadhi district, where stolen animals were taken into the Republic of Angola.

Meanwhile, cases of illegal immigration and smuggling of contraband goods are on the increase.

Additionally, he said that other criminalities have increased by 10 per cent since 4 079 offences increased to 4 529, while the number of assaults involving domestic violence has slightly increased with 257 incidents.

Further, a total of 112 rape cases were recorded during the period under review, with the majority child victims.

Other cases were 653 theft, 513 housebreaking and theft, 477 assault GBH, 447 other assaults (common assault and assault by threat), 257 domestic violence, 232 stock theft, 226 fraud, 129 theft of cell phones and 111 robbery.

Endjala said in order to reduce crime, the police are activating and increasing foot and vehicle patrols to upsurge their visibility and improving crime detection.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

NamPower’s long-awaited three power generation units for the new Anixas II Power Station with a combined generation capacity of 54MW of electricity arrived at Walvis Bay on Friday.

A media statement issued by the office of the Managing Director of NamPower on Sunday, stated that the electricity will use either liquid fuel or natural gas.

The purpose of this power station is to support the security of supply in the Namibian grid as it provides firm, dispatchable power when needed during times of energy supply shortages to support larger integration of intermittent renewable energies such as solar and wind, the statement read.

The expected completion of the project based in Walvis Bay is the end of May 2024.

Anixas I and Anixas II combined will give a total capacity of approximately 75MW, which will make the Anixas plant sufficient to meet the demand of the Erongo Region in its entirety.

According to NamPower, the power plant runs on Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), which replaces HFO, however it has the capability to also run on natural gas when it becomes available in Namibia, which is the preferred way to go, as a transition fuel of the future.

Each of the three engines weigh 350 tonnes and each of the three generators/alternators are close to 70 tonnes.

As per determination from the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2018 , this project forms part of a group of 220MW of projects of which all the other projects are renewable energy projects (solar, wind and biomass) comprising 170MW of the 220MW portfolio.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Katima Mulilo residents have received free community internet services after Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and the Katima Mulilo Town Council signed a memorandum of understanding in an effort to shape the Zambezi capital into a digital town.

Launching the community Wi-Fi on Thursday, Zambezi Region Governor Alfea Sampofu noted that the internet services will transform the Katima Mulilo Town into a smart town, digitally wise, adding that this will be a game changer among the residents.

The service is available in the central business district of the town, and to use, residents and visitors will just have to activate their Wi-Fi, without a password required.

Katima Mulilo Town Council Chief Executive Officer Raphael Liswaniso at the signing noted that the move of providing free Wi-Fi services to the residents is aimed at harnessing technology whilst shaping a better future for them.

“The free Wi-Fi will cover the whole central business district area, therefore residents can now do bank transactions and pay for their municipal services online without any difficulties,” he noted.

MTC Manager for Product and Enterprise Solutions, Elton Katangolo noted that Katima Mulilo, being a border town, having free community Wi-Fi, will play a pivotal role in attracting and assisting tourists with better services.

Katangolo indicated that his company will still expand the services as the need arises.

Meanwhile, Kabbe Urban Regional Councillor Kennedy Simasiku called on MTC to provide more centres in the region to cater to the needs of its customers, especially those registering their SIM cards, as many struggle with this due to constraints like transport and time, and long queues.

Katima Mulilo is one of the first few towns which have rolled out the community free Wi-Fi for its public.

To this, the Katima residents have expressed excitement, with the hope that young people here will not have to suffer and struggle to access internet services in search for better opportunities, including sending online applications.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency