2 oct namib times e-edition

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namib times

SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6883 FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER 2020 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net

What sits behind the failure of Government quota auction? The auction of Government fishing quotas has ended in an embarrassing episode for fisheries minister Albert Kawana. The auction raised N$8,46 million [the auction was supposed to raise N$627 million had all bidders honoured their financial commitment]. The reason for the auction's failure was described yesterday as “cocktail of troubles”. Firstly, Government's persistent [and rapidly] deterioration consultation process with the fishing industry. Secondly, the fishing industry itself which does not support the auction of Government fishing quotas. Thirdly, Namibia's “tenderpreneur culture” which is guaranteed to scuttle any good intentions. In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Dr Kawana had to concede the auction was unsuccessful. Of the 72 000 metric tons horse mackerel quota, 1 517 metric tons sold. A mere 100 tons of the 11 000 hake quota were sold, and monk fared much better with 300 metric tons of the 390 metric tons offered for auctioning sold. “Out of the highest successful bidders, only five bidders managed to take up their offers and settled their payments obligations which amounted to N$8 446 000”, the minister is quoted from the press statement. Dr Kawana expressed hope for more bidders to honour their payment obligations for the auction”. From Dr Kawana's statement an inference can be drawn that more Government fishing quota auctions will follow, and that measures will be implemented for bidders to first deliver guarantees for payment and properly plan ahead, before they can take part in the bidding process. “We believe that the auction is still the best option for our Government Objective fish Quota”, the minister is quoted under point 6 of the press statement. Under point 15 of the statement: “We have learnt good lessons from this auction and that will be valuable going forward. In the future, punitive measures will be introduced including requirements for payment guarantees or bid securities before participation in the auction. This will ensure that bidders meet their financial commitments and mitigate the risk of speculative bids. In addition, more time will be given to bidders to arrange their finances. Furthermore, bidders will be required to prove that they have access to fishing vessels”. Stakeholders in the fishing sector said on Wednesday night and Thursday it was no surprise to

them that the auction ended on this note. “Several weeks ago, when Government announced it raised N$627 million on the auction my first reaction was – were these promises to the tune of N$627 million or actual money deposited into the State Revenue Fund? My suspicions proved me right: The auction bagged a mere 1,27 % of the promised N$627 million”, says one stakeholder. From the remaining reactions by stakeholders, the following came strong to the forefront. Dr Kawana as Fisheries Minister and the Namibian Government in general must as a matter of urgency mend the fences with the fishing industry. There is anger and mutual issues of distrust between GovernContinues on page 2

Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association ready for elections Walvis Bay has a resident's association again. The Association is officially known as the Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association (JWBRA) and will participate in the local authority elections during November this year. The Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association is registered at the Electoral Commission of Namibia and is currently in the process to list candidates who will be representing the Association's

Public urged to start donating blood as matter of urgency

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Health and Safety essentials for !Nara Primary

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Nampol Unit Commander arrested for corruption The public of Walvis Bay reacts with shock and anger at the arrest of the unit commander of the Walvis Bay Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), detective warrant officer Jafet Simon on a charge of corruption.

Detective Warrant Officer Jafet Simon is a Unit Commander for the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) and is stationed at the Walvis Bay Police Station. His accomplice is Farhan Khatri, a Pakistani national working for import vehicle dealer Jan Japan (picture page 2).

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Jafet and an accomplice, Farhan Khatri, attempted to bribe a senior state prosecutor in Swakopmund for a not-guilty verdict in a rape and human trafficking trial in which this Pakistani national is the accused. The duo further attempted to persuade the state prosecutor to relax Khatri's bail conditions and to return his passport as he intended to travel to Pakistan. Not only is the Namibian public's disdain for corruption growing rapidly, but the fact that a police officer would commit a corrupt act to benefit an alleged sex offender and human trafficker further damages the relationship of trust between the public and the Namibian Police. Khatri is a manager at import car dealer Jan Japan in Walvis Bay. According to the Anti-Corruption Continues on page 2

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FirstRand Namibia HOPE funds hands over 25 ICU patient monitors

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NOVANAM Back In The Swing

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