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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6598 FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER 2016 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Desalination - time for talk is over Erwin Leuschner The panel consisted of eight experts stemming from various organisations and institutions, each giving a brief presentation if desalination is indeed a sustainable solution to Namibia's water crisis. “We are in dire straits, but we shouldn't be afraid and rather embrace desalination. There is no other option,” said Dewald Duvenhage, GM Engineering Services at the Municipality Swakopmund. His view was shared with the other panellists, saying that desalination is indeed the only option to ensure a constant water supply. “If we wish to discuss this topic we need to ask ourselves if we want national development decoupled from rain,” said Detlof von Oertzen, an independent specialist and Director of VO Consulting. Von Oertzen presented an interesting idea/ concept, to solve not
only the water crisis for the coast and the capital Windhoek, but at the same time address food and electricity security. “We need to decentralize development. I suggest the establishment of industrial corridors,” von Oertzen said. He suggests that one such industrial corridor could be established between Swakopmund and Windhoek. “If we build a desalination plant and feed water to the
capital, we can have agricultural and agrotechnical developments along the way,” he said. To address the energy crisis, he suggested the development of renewable energy sources in these corridors. The option of establishing a new desalination plant to solve the water crisis was first considered in 2004. This was said by Willem Venter, Head, Planning and Water Continues on Page 2
Paratus power station to be upgraded to 40mw Floris Steenkamp The Paratus power station in Walvis Bay, currently decommissioned because of its aged generating equipment, could return to its former glory in the foreseeable future, according to the Managing Director of Nampower Mr Kahenge Haulofu. Mr Haulofu made this statement on 14 October this year at the inauguration of Nampower's new substation at Walvis Bay, which also coincides with Nampower's twentieth anniversary (Nampower was founded on 1 July 1996). Moreover, in its new state the power station will have an output of 40 megawatts, almost double to that of newcomer Anixas Power Station that was commissioned at Walvis Bay in 2011 with an installed output of 22,5 megawatts. Anixas power station is situated next to Paratus station. Paratus power station served Walvis Bay for decades since the seventies, but due to ageing equipment could not sustain its installed output of 24 megawatts. It had to be de-rated to 12 megawatts and eventually the power station was mothballed. According to Mr Haulofu Paratus would in the foreseeable future receive brand new, state of the art electricity generating units, anticipated to have an output of 40 megawatts. Continues on Page 2
inside SWAITEX FNB Bonanza
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Murder at Swakopmund Page 4
HAN and NCCI S/mund condemns rise in crimes targeting tourists Erwin Leuschner The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) and the Swakopmund branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) are appealing to the coastal business community and general public to join forces with both institutions to address the issue of the rising crime committed against tourists. “This cannot go on and something needs to be done,” said Anett Kötting from HAN yesterday at a press conference in Swakopmund. Paul Njambula, Chairperson of the NCCI Swakopmund branch, added that “we do not tolerate the increase in crime committed against tourists.” “It is not acceptable by Namibians. Enough is enough,” he said. The press conference was held in the wake of a number of incidences of crimes committed against tourists over the past few days in the coastal tourism town. Some overseas tourists were robbed at knife point, others had their valuables stolen during their sleep (namib times reported). “If we don't change our attitude, we will lose jobs in the tourism sector. We simply cannot afford to have crime increase,” Njambula said. While condemning the rising crime rate he noted that the tourism sector is currently doing well due to the favourable exchange rate for overseas visitors. “Every tourist coming to Namibia creates an average of three jobs. If a single tourist is attacked, we lose these valuable jobs. We need to change our attitude,” Njambula added. Kötting, who also serves on the re-established Police Public Relations Committee (PPRC), said that various points have been put together to Continues on Page 2
First ICDL Centre
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Hocker Vom Locker Page 16
The Dome Classic
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