Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Modestus Amutse, made the following announcements on 3 October regarding the latest Cabinet decisions:
Submission of bilateral cooperation engagements held in London, England, from 17 to 19 July 2024: Submitted by the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade.
Cabinet took note of the bilateral cooperation engagements held in London, England, from 17 to 19 July 2024 and congratulated the following recipients of prestigious awards during the engagements:
a) Lucia Iipumbu honoured as the African Trade and Investment Minister of the Year 2024.
b) Governor of Otjozondjupa region, James Uerikua, honoured with an award recognising his leadership and outstanding contribution to Otjozondjupa region and Namibia’s development.
c) Governor of Erongo, Neville Andre Itope, honoured with the Best African Governor of the Year 2024.
Cabinet endorsed the request by Commonwealth secretary general for Namibia to host the next Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting (CTMM).
Cabinet directed the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade to make the necessary budgetary provisions to provide transportation and security services for the Commonwealth Ministers and their officials attending the CTMM.
Cabinet further directed the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade to coordinate with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; Information and Communication Technology; International Relations and Cooperation and other relevant offices/ministries/agencies (OMAs) in preparation for the CCTM to ensure successful hosting of the event.
Requests for approval for Namibia to
host the joint meeting for Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) partnerships platform and the commemoration of the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security: Submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
Cabinet approved that Namibia hosts the joint meeting of Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Partnerships Platform and the Commemoration of the 15th African Day for Food and Nutrition Security in Windhoek, from 29 October to 1 November 2024.
The meeting would be conducted under the theme: “Empowering Africa for the 21st Century: Building Capacity for Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems for Sustainable Development”.
Cabinet further directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to make the necessary budgetary provisions for the cost of the venue and transportation for VIP delegates to the above-mentioned events.
Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of the Republic of Namibia and the government of the United Republic of Tanzania on trade cooperation: Submitted by the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade.
Cabinet took note of the draft MoU between the government of the Republic of Namibia and the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Cabinet further authorised the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade to sign the Memorandum of Understanding during the 4th Session of the Namibia-Tanzania Joint Commission of Cooperation scheduled to take place in March 2025 in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Entering the MoU will provide an opportunity for Namibia to increase the volume, value and range of goods and services exported to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Development and launch of the social protection programmes booklet: Submitted by the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.
Cabinet took note of the Social Protection Programmes Booklet which serves as a roadmap for providing simplified information on Namibia’s social safety nets that the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare will launch during the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year as part of its mandate to promote gender equality, eradicate poverty and support the socio-economic development of targeted groups.
Repeal of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act no. 66 0f 1965): Submitted by the Minister of Justice.
Cabinet approved the proposed recommendation to repeal the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act No. 66 of 1965) and endorsed, in principle, the policy document thereof.
Cabinet reaffirmed Decision No. 2nd/27.02.24/003 and directed the Ministries of Justice; and Finance and Public Enterprises to implement the following interventions to address a number of various pressing socio-economic challenges:
Implement an urgent programme to clear the backlog of the deceased estates at the Masters and at Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF);
Implement a small claims court, as a matter of urgency, to decongest the courts;
Review the regulations for trust accounts to protect the public from possible abuse by lawyers who administer the trust accounts;
Review the management of the Guardian Fund; and
Fill the vacancies in the legal sector to clear the court backlog and ensure access to justice.
Amendment of the Legal Aid Act,
01990 (Act No. 29 0f 1990): Submitted by the Minister of Justice.
Cabinet approved in principle, the proposed amendments to the Legal Aid Act, 1990 (Act No. 29 of 1990) and to proceed with the next steps in the law-making process.
The proposed amendments will enhance the service delivery and operational efficiency within the Ministry of Justice; address the growing demands by allowing delegation of decision-making powers; and enhance access to justice by increasing the coverage of persons through the inclusion of applications that are in the public interest and affect the livelihoods of citizens.