馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Namibian government rejects plans for national road toll gates
via The Namibian1 min read
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced that the Namibian government has rejected plans to introduce toll gates on roads across the country. Nekundi stated that there is no government policy to implement e-tolls, clarifying that only ministers can announce government policies. He recalled that a study on e-tolls was conducted when he was deputy minister under John Mutorwa's leadership, and the proposal was rejected at that time. Road Fund Administration chief executive Ali Iipinge had previously stated that the toll gate proposal had not been approved by the government and remained on hold, pending the completion of the government's decision-making process. The proposal, first introduced in 2021, aimed to fund road maintenance through the installation of 21 to 23 toll gates, with a feasibility study estimating potential revenue of N$500 million to N$750 million annually, or up to N$3.9 billion over five years.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibian government generated N$68.4 million from the auction of horse mackerel and hake fish quotas. The Ministry of Finance announced the results of auctions conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform on May 22. Executive director of finance Oscar Capelao stated that N$68.4 million was raised from the sale of 11,037 tonnes of horse mackerel and 1,719 tonnes of hake. This total includes N$22,000 from application fees. Capelao noted a significant improvement in prices and no remaining metric tonnes. The auction received nine bids for horse mackerel and seven for hake, with demand exceeding the available tonnage for both freezer and wet catch. The fisheries ministry had previously reserved 35% of the total allowable catch of horse mackerel for the government. The horse mackerel fishing season will continue until the end of December, while the hake season concludes at the end of September.
Northern Graphite, a Canadian company, has finished moving its processing plant to the Okanjande mine near Otjiwarongo, Namibia. This move is in preparation to restart mining operations by the end of 2027. The plant was previously located 85km away at Okorusu, and the relocation, decided in 2023, aims to reduce transport logistics and costs. Okanjande, situated 20km south of Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region, holds a significant graphite resource. According to Northern Graphite chief executive Hugues Jacquemin, Namibia offers a politically stable environment and access to a deep-water port, providing competitive advantages. The company plans to reassemble the plant at Okanjande and secure capital to fund the restart of mining operations. Northern Graphite is pursuing an integrated mine-to-battery graphite business, which includes developing a battery anode material facility in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with a Saudi company. This strategy aims to establish a fully integrated supply chain and position the company as a global leader in secure, non-China battery materials, with the Namibian operations being a key part of this broader strategy.
Clinical psychologist Tony de Gouveia, practicing at Netcare Akeso Alberton, highlights that poor sleep is a significant factor in anxiety, depression, and decreased productivity. He emphasizes that sleep's impact on mental well-being is often underestimated, noting that it is crucial for cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, not just physical energy. De Gouveia states that between a third and half of people regularly fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. He identifies modern lifestyle habits, such as late-night "doomscrolling" and blue light exposure from screens, as growing threats to sleep quality. Stress is also a major disruptor, with racing thoughts delaying sleep onset. Women are statistically more prone to sleep difficulties due to physiological and social factors, including childcare responsibilities. De Gouveia advises against using alcohol or cannabis as sleep aids due to their disruptive effects on natural sleep cycles. He recommends establishing a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding devices and dimming lights 20 minutes before bed, limiting caffeine after lunch and fluids before bedtime, maintaining a cool and comfortable sleeping environment, ensuring a quiet space, and avoiding oversleeping or long daytime naps. He urges individuals with persistent sleep problems to seek professional help to rule out underlying physical causes or address stress and anxiety with a mental health professional.