Namibia Roundup: Asylum seekers rejected, relief food, fuel price hikes

Namibia rejects asylum seekers from UK

Namibia has rejected an offer to accept asylum seekers from the United Kingdom into the country. The Southern African country indicated that it was approached by Britain to be part of the asylum agreement, a request they declined. Republikein indicates that the Namibian Ministry of International Relations’ Executive Director, Penda Naanda confirmed this. Namibia’s decision comes following Rwanda’s acceptance of a UK deal to bring asylum seekers to the country.

Gender Ministry auditing

Namibia’s Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare has been criticised after reportedly paying N$328,900 ($17,548) for a warehouse that remained vacant for 11 months, as revealed in an audited report by auditor general Junias Kandjeke. The payment was made for the financial year ending March 31, 2023. Situated in Prosperita, Windhoek, the warehouse incurred monthly payments of N$29,900 ($1,595), totalling the said amount despite being unutilised from April 2022 to February 2023, the report noted. Kandjeke emphasised that inquiries revealed the non-utilisation was due to regional activities catering to the marginalised, raising concerns about fiscal prudence and resource allocation within the government sector, the Namibian reports.

Relief meals tested

Tests will be conducted to determine the safety of unsifted maize meals which are part of the drought relief programme. The head of the Directorate of Disaster Risk Management, Hellen Likando confirmed that the items are stored at a warehouse in Rundu and will be analysed to ensure they are safe for human consumption. This follows safety concerns raised about the meal, some of which are said to have made some beneficiaries sick, Namibian Sun reports.

Electricity generation

The first project under the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) 400 kV expansion programme has been completed. The project seeks to extend NamPower’s utility infrastructure by more than 800 kilometres. Prior to this, the power company officially launched its Auas-Gerus line which was the first to be completed and cost N$870 million ($46m), the Namibian reports. The project aims to meet the evolving electricity needs of the country.

Fuel price hikes

The Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that fuel prices will be increased from May 2. Petrol prices will increase by 70 Namibian cents per litre and diesel by 40 Namibian cents per litre. Local news outlet Allgemeine Zeitung reports that new prices in Walvis Bay are N$23 ($1.23) for petrol per litre and N$22.17 ($1,18) per litre for 50 ppm diesel and N$22.37 ($1.19) for 10 ppm.