15 jul namib times e-edition

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N$4

namib times

SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6973 FRIDAY 15 JULY 2022 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net

Rising cost of fuel adds pressure on Fishing Industry Eileen van der Schyff

Farm 37 back in the picture Sharlien Tjambari Development of Farm 37, an area in Walvis Bay that was identified five years ago to ease housing challenges in the town which was put on a halt due to a lack of funds is now back on the table. Neville Itope, Governor of the cises, the Walvis Bay MuniciErongo region recently menpality is planning to make 7 143 tioned that during the 2022/-2023 erven available to the public.” financial year, the Municipality of Itope mentioned the MuniciWalvis Bay is planning to service pality of Walvis Bay further plans 202 erven at farm 37. to relocate people from the overOther extensions on the list are crowded areas through its deExtension 8 at Narraville, where congestion strategy. “These peo215 erven will be serviced, and 86 ple will be relocated to Portion 10 erven in Extension 3 of Meersig. erven available to the public. of Farm 37. The first groups of According to Itope, for 2022/- Itope said the Municipality of people will be relocated once all 2023 financial year, the Munici- Walvis Bay will also assist the communal services have been pality of Walvis Bay is also plan- Shack Dwellers Federation to provided to Portion 10 of Farm ning to invite the private sector service 237 erven at Narraville. 37. Currently, only electrical serthrough the expression of interest “It is further important to note that vices are outstanding, and the to service three blocks at Narra- there are three blocks/extensions Walvis Bay Municipality will in ville that will yield about 610 of which surveys are ongoing and due course go out on tender to erven. The private sector will also nine extensions are awaiting procure services of an electrical service six blocks during the next Urban and Regional Boards contractor for installation of financial year to make about 1 344 approval. Through all these exerContinue on page 2

The Namibian fishing industry is facing a perfect storm in the wake of the increasing cost of fuel, should the government not urgently consider the dropping of all taxes on fuel for the fishing sector to safeguard both jobs and food security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Newly established horse mackerel onshore processing facility, Princess Brand Processing, formerly known as Seaflower Pelagic at Walvis Bay, especially feels the pressure, because of the hundreds of employees currently employed at the company's onshore factory. This after the company supports and backs the National Development Plan (NDP5), and did their part in the fight against poverty, with the purpose of job creation. General Manager of Princess Brand Processing, Mr Adolf Burger said, “unfortunately the current price of fuel, together with very poor catches during winter months, brought us to the point of total non-viability to continue, and we are seriously considering to cease operations for the time being. We are busy to safeguard our employees, our most valuable asset, to the best of our ability, and trust we will weather the storm.” According to Burger, most horse mackerel are caught by freezer vessels which employs only a few men per vessel, however the company's onshore horse mackerel processing facility employs more than 600 Namibians. In an email to the Namib Times, Burger explained; “From January 2022 to date, our fuel cost increased with approximately 35 %. Considering the increase from a year ago, the numbers are even worse. We use about 12 tons of fuel per vessel per day, which is N$250 000 per day. Times two vessels it is N$500 000 per day. This amounts to N$3.5 million per week and N$15 million per month.” Burger concluded, “We can only pray for a solution as soon as possible to rescue the fishing sector and what it brings to our country and people.”

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Sports News

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