Ref: 13/6/26
10 July 2007

MEDIA BRIEFING FROM CABINET CHAMBERS

Cabinet took the following decisions at the 11th 2007 meeting of the 4th Government held on 3 July 2007.

1. NAMIBIA’S ACCESSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCH- KEEPING FOR FISHING VESSEL PERSONNEL (STCW-F), 1995:
The above-mentioned Convention is aimed at promoting safety of life and property at sea and at the protection of the marine environment by establishing a common agreement on international standards of training, certification and watch-keeping for personnel employed on board fishing vessels. These standards are considered to be the highest practicable safety standards for personnel on board fishing vessels.

The Convention obliges state parties to promulgate laws, orders and regulations and to take all other steps necessary to give the Convention full and complete effect. This is aimed at ensuring the safety of life and properties at sea and the protection of the marine environment, and that seagoing fishing vessels are qualified and fit for their duties.

In line with the Convention, Namibia already promulgated new Education, Training and Certification of Namibian Seafarers Regulations in 2004.

By acceding to the Convention, Namibia will benefit in the following ways:
Bring to the attention of the International Maritime Organisation and the international community the fact that Namibia has incorporated the relevant safety standards into its domestic laws and has promulgated regulations to give effect to the Convention;
It will give effect to the relevant articles in the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communication and Meteorology which requires from SADC member states to affirm their intention to apply international standards and recommended practices of the IMO and to participate in the formulation of new standards and practices for maritime safety;
Qualify for technical assistance and training of administrative and technical personnel in terms of the Convention;
Namibian fishermen will enjoy employment preference when seeking employment onboard fishing vessels trading in the waters of other parties to the Convention; and
Namibian maritime and fisheries qualifications would enjoy automatic recognition as complying with the international standards during the Port State Control in the ports of other parties to the Convention when Namibian vessels visit foreign ports.

Cabinet, therefore, endorsed Namibia’s accession to the Convention and mandated the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication to table it in the National Assembly. Cabinet also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effect the accession on behalf of Namibia.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication at telephone number 2088111.

2. UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAMIBIA WILDLIFE RESORTS LIMITED TURNAROUND STRATEGY AND CHALLENGES:
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism did a presentation to Cabinet on the implementation of the Namibia Wildlife Resorts Limited (NWR) turnaround strategy that was approved by Cabinet in June 2006 by Cabinet Decision No. 12th/2006.06/006.

With respect to management, NWR underwent a re-organisation and restructuring exercise and all key positions in the senior and middle management cadre were filled, including that of Resort Managers for key facilities, such as Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni, Waterberg and the Sossus Dune Lodge.

The generally polarized, disinterested and disillusioned workforce of NWR that the new management inherited are receiving continuous training to transform the culture of the company into a dynamic, enthusiastic, skilled and client-centered team. Significant progress has been made in changing the general morale and skills of staff through improved intra-company communications, focused training and through the appointment of qualified and experienced personnel in vacant positions.

Due to the important role of information technology in the tourism industry, NWR appointed a competent IT manager in July 2006. Since then, significant progress has been made in upgrading both the hardware and software infrastructure to achieve a harmonious, integrated information management environment.

NWR is also upgrading or have completed the upgrading of its facilities at the Waterberg camp, in the Etosha National Park, at the Sossus Dune Lodge, the Sesriem Campsite and the Ai-Ais Hot Springs.

Special attention is also given to financial management, marketing and diversification.

Despite the progress, NWR is still facing challenges with respect to its other resorts, outstanding VAT and asset transfer.

Cabinet noted the positive changes at NWR and directed the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to seek advice from the Treasury Cabinet Committee on the financing of projects that are not catered for in the NWR turnaround strategy, its outstanding VAT of N$12.5 million and the asset transfer from Government to NWR.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at telephone number 2842184/2287.

3. DROUGHT SITUATION IN THE ERONGO REGION (DAURES AND OTJIMBINGWE CONSTITUENCIES), KUNENE REGION AND THE CAPRIVI REGION (WESTERN CAPRIVI):
An inspection done in the Erongo, Kunene and Caprivi regions between 4 and 30 June 2007 by the Cabinet Secretary on the instruction of the Prime Minister, revealed that the Daures and Otjimbingwe constituencies in the Erongo and Kunene regions and the Western Caprivi are severely affected by drought and water shortages.

Most household depends on livestock and crop production for food security and income. Due to the drought, elephants, quelea birds and floods only a few crop production farmers have harvested something for own consumption this year. These people, especially in the areas of Western Caprivi, partly Katima Mulilo Rural and the Kabbe constituencies have nothing else to fall back on.

In areas such as Otjimbingwe and the Daures constituencies, people have been without water for period of two to six months. Extended drought conditions and ensuing water shortages in these areas will cause severe stress on both people and livestock, especially in the areas of Otjimbingwe, Daures and parts of Kunene and Western Caprivi. Livestock is already in a fair to poor condition for this time of the year.

Most of the affected areas require food assistance and emergency grazing and water supply where possible.

In the Caprivi and Erongo regions a total of 13 002 households or 78 012 people are affected.

Cabinet, therefore, noted the prevailing drought situation in the affected parts of the country and directed the Emergency Management Committee to use the N$20 million which was already provided from the Contingency Fund to cater for the drought in the affected areas. Cabinet also mandated the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to activate the Katima/Kongolo water pipeline to provide water to the affected areas. Cabinet approved that the National Emergency Management Committee implements and coordinates the emergency programme for six months and also directed Regional Councils to register all identified affected populations in their respective regions/constituencies.

Further information can be obtained from the Office of the Prime Minister at telephone number 2879111.

4. ANNUAL REPORTS:
- 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF NAMIBIA;
- MEATCO NAMIBIA ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2006/07
Cabinet noted the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Development Bank of Namibia and authorised the Minister of Finance to sign it. Cabinet also noted the 2006 Annual Report of the DBN and gave permission for its tabling in the National Assembly.

Cabinet also noted the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006/07 for Meatco Namibia and authorised the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to table it in the National Assembly.






LOINI-NYANYUKWENI KATOMA
PERMANENT SECRETARY