German aid for NDF totals N$21 m

THE German government is providing support to the Namibia Defence Force totalling N$21 million from 2005 to 2008, which will include 150 computer workstations to computerise the logistics systems of the NDF, the German Embassy in Windhoek said yesterday.

A representative of Germany’s Defence Ministry, Hans-Hermann Mehrtens, just concluded the annual negotiations with Defence Permanent Secretary Peter Shivute. “The aim is to equip 150 PC workstations countrywide for the NDF with the necessary hard- and software for the running of a logistical system like material control, maintenance procedures and financial administration,” said Sergeant Major Herbert Strauch.”For this reason 150 Microsoft licences and 50 SAP licences – very specified computer software – were purchased initially.The SAP R/3 modules make the handling of all logistical processes such as material control, maintenance procedures and financial matters possible,” Strauch told The Namibian yesterday.The first 75 computers would be installed from this month until September after the successful completion of the pilot phase, Strauch added.The setting up of a database at the Luiperdsvallei military base was necessary for the running of a computerised logistics network for the NDF.Parallel to the installation of the hard- and software, the training of operators started after equipping two lecture halls at the Osona military school near Okahandja.The value of the pilot phase, including hardware, software and training, totalled N$10 million.The NDF locations concerned are Luiperdsvallei, the military school at Okahandja and military bases at Oamites, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein and Walvis Bay.During the second phase, 25 more workstations will be set up before the end of next year.Other components of Germany’s military aid to Namibia are 20 tonnes of medical equipment and materials, which arrived last year.The bulk of it went to the military hospital at Grootfontein, which has been supported by Germany for several years.Included in the N$21 million will be 10 four-wheel-drive military ambulances and four fully equipped containers that can be used as field hospitals.”The aim is to equip 150 PC workstations countrywide for the NDF with the necessary hard- and software for the running of a logistical system like material control, maintenance procedures and financial administration,” said Sergeant Major Herbert Strauch.”For this reason 150 Microsoft licences and 50 SAP licences – very specified computer software – were purchased initially.The SAP R/3 modules make the handling of all logistical processes such as material control, maintenance procedures and financial matters possible,” Strauch told The Namibian yesterday.The first 75 computers would be installed from this month until September after the successful completion of the pilot phase, Strauch added.The setting up of a database at the Luiperdsvallei military base was necessary for the running of a computerised logistics network for the NDF.Parallel to the installation of the hard- and software, the training of operators started after equipping two lecture halls at the Osona military school near Okahandja.The value of the pilot phase, including hardware, software and training, totalled N$10 million.The NDF locations concerned are Luiperdsvallei, the military school at Okahandja and military bases at Oamites, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein and Walvis Bay.During the second phase, 25 more workstations will be set up before the end of next year.Other components of Germany’s military aid to Namibia are 20 tonnes of medical equipment and materials, which arrived last year.The bulk of it went to the military hospital at Grootfontein, which has been supported by Germany for several years.Included in the N$21 million will be 10 four-wheel-drive military ambulances and four fully equipped containers that can be used as field hospitals.