Nam needs 500 experts for aquaculture

* Fisheries and Marine Resources’ Minister Abraham Iyambo says in order for the aquaculture industry to flourish in Namibia, at least 500 professionals in the field of fisheries and marine resources are needed to be deployed as researchers and scientists.

In his address at the inauguration of the Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute (KIFI) on Friday, Iyambo explained that the aquaculture sector is a new, unexploited economic sector that has immense potential. “Aquaculture holds great potential for employment and foreign earnings’ generation,” he said, stressing that there is an urgency for countrywide food production, including fish.Iyambo called on the country’s tertiary institutions, namely the Polytechnic and University of Namibia, to join hands with the government in conducting research in aquaculture and food production in order to make Namibia a country of food prosperity.- Nampa Audit firm appointed to probe ancyl investment company * An audit firm will investigate the state of finances of the ANC Youth League’s investment arm Lembede Investment Holdings, it was announced yesterday.This was revealed by board chairman Pule Mabe, at a media briefing in Sandton following the appointment of a new board.”Gobodo [audit firm] is expected to present its findings and recommendations within the shortest time possible to allow the board to move with speed in the execution of its work.”It is an expressed intention of the board to take both remedial and corrective measures in building a better and viable investment holding company for the ANCYL,” Mabe said.The Independent on Sunday reported that the ANCYL wanted to know more about the company’s operations and investments.- Nampa-Sapa Lower income groups in SA need housing finance * Housing finance should be provided to lower income groups in South Africa, President of the International Union of Housing Finance, Cas Coovadia, said on Monday.”There is a pressing need to extend housing finance to lower income groups particularly given South Africa’s history.However we should be wary of creating portfolios of loans which are fundamentally unsound,” Coovadia said.He said loans should not be extended without taking into account the ability of the borrower to pay.Finance providers and government needed to address the problems of access to housing finance, rising household debt and the housing shortage in the country.Coovadia, who was speaking at the end of the annual international union of housing finance world congress, said government had a role to play in sharing some of the non-commercial risks and underwriting mechanisms to enable fixed rate products.He said this would instil confidence in the market and enable investment from non-originating financial institutions.- Nampa-Sapa”Aquaculture holds great potential for employment and foreign earnings’ generation,” he said, stressing that there is an urgency for countrywide food production, including fish.Iyambo called on the country’s tertiary institutions, namely the Polytechnic and University of Namibia, to join hands with the government in conducting research in aquaculture and food production in order to make Namibia a country of food prosperity.- Nampa Audit firm appointed to probe ancyl investment company * An audit firm will investigate the state of finances of the ANC Youth League’s investment arm Lembede Investment Holdings, it was announced yesterday.This was revealed by board chairman Pule Mabe, at a media briefing in Sandton following the appointment of a new board.”Gobodo [audit firm] is expected to present its findings and recommendations within the shortest time possible to allow the board to move with speed in the execution of its work.”It is an expressed intention of the board to take both remedial and corrective measures in building a better and viable investment holding company for the ANCYL,” Mabe said.The Independent on Sunday reported that the ANCYL wanted to know more about the company’s operations and investments.- Nampa-Sapa Lower income groups in SA need housing finance * Housing finance should be provided to lower income groups in South Africa, President of the International Union of Housing Finance, Cas Coovadia, said on Monday.”There is a pressing need to extend housing finance to lower income groups particularly given South Africa’s history.However we should be wary of creating portfolios of loans which are fundamentally unsound,” Coovadia said.He said loans should not be extended without taking into account the ability of the borrower to pay.Finance providers and government needed to address the problems of access to housing finance, rising household debt and the housing shortage in the country.Coovadia, who was speaking at the end of the annual international union of housing finance world congress, said government had a role to play in sharing some of the non-commercial risks and underwriting mechanisms to enable fixed rate products.He said this would instil confidence in the market and enable investment from non-originating financial institutions.- Nampa-Sapa