THE PERIOD AFTER NAMIBIA'S INDEPENDENCE Part10(9026 total words in this text) (379 Reads) 
| 1999 |
The tough economic
conditions during 1999 are further deepened by an ever depreciating Namibia
Dollar. Especially the agricultural sector is not spared brought about by
high interest rates. With declining beef prices and rising input prices, the
agricultural debt soars to an all time high, to about N$ 1 billion. At a
financing rate of 17%, the interest burden plus 10% capital repayment will
amount to nearly N$ 300 million. Debt repayments will thus represent
approximately 35% of an estimated agricultural income of N$ 840 million. |
| 02.01. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, criticises plans by
the Ministry for Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism, to construct a 62 km
long asphalt road from Sesriem to Sossus Vley. This project was initiated by
the former Minister, Gerd Hanekom, who now serves as Economic Advisor to the
President. The Transport Ministry was never consulted in the planning and
building of this road. A paved road which is situated several hundred
kilometres from the next blacktop road makes no engineering sense. The
Ministry of Wildlife has no expertise to maintain such "white elephant". The
road will quickly develop in a potholed nightmare (which happened within two
years). |
| 03.01. |
The Namibian
Government announces a press embargo on all news from the war in the
Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). This embargo is, however, terminated on
11.01. |
| 08.01. |
Air Namibia concludes
an agreement of cooperation with South African Airways (SAA). This desirable
understanding is later unilaterally terminated by Air Namibia’s new Chief
Executive Officer, Jaafar Ahmad which drives the Namibian ailing national
air carrier deeper into bankruptcy. |
| 15.01. |
The war in the
Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) continues. The crash of a Namibian military
helicopter in the DRC causes five casualties.
Prime Minister, Hage Gottfried Geingob, appeals to the United Nations to
take serous steps to end the civil war in Angola. |
| 16.01. |
First peace
negotiations to settle the conflict in the DRC in Lusaka fail. |
| 17.01. |
A further round of
talks without the warring Congolese factions in order to end the war in the
DRC takes place in Windhoek. The negotiations end without result because the
President of Rwanda, Pasteur Bizimungu, is not arriving in time. |
| 18.01. |
Bizimungu arrives in
Windhoek. The peace negotiations result in a concept for a cease fire in the
DRC. President Nujoma submit the paper to the DRC President Kabila on 31.01.
and South Africa’s President Mandela on 24.02. |
| 25.01. |
In spite off all
governmental efforts last year, renewed demonstrations of Ex-PLAN soldiers
take place at the Ondangwa airport. These demonstrations are followed by
more demonstrations in Katutura (Windhoek). The conflict comes to an end
when the Government undertakes to create jobs for all registered ex-soldiers
in the Namibian Civil Service (April). |
| 29.01. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, moves in his
motivation speech before the National Assembly for the three reform road
sector reform bills (Road Fund Administration Bill, Roads Authority Bill,
Roads Contractor Company Bill) that the Ministry goes ahead with its
MWTC2000 Project in the African context in unbundling and commercialising
its various departments and turning the government owned roads construction
department into a profit orientated company (Roads Contractor Company (RCC)).
The Roads Authority will plan and manage the national roads network. The
Road Fund Administration provides for an administration to manage a road
user charging system and to establish a road fund. All are to be implemented
within the next few months. Dierks is also the chairman of the Steering
Committee to implement the MWTC2000 Project and to push it to its
conclusion. The Road Traffic and Transport Bill would take longer as many
stakeholders in the transport sector would have to scrutinise it and
possible amendments be made. |
| End January |
The secessionist
struggle in the Caprivi Region escalates further. The first group of
escapees from October 1998 increases to 2 400 persons. |
| 05.02. |
The Ministry of
Works, Transport and Communication transfers the assets of eight major
airports (Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport, Eros (Windhoek), Rooikop (Walvis
Bay), Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Ondangwa, Rundu and Katima Mulilo) to the
Namibia Airports Company Limited (created 05.11.1998). The other 56 smaller
airports throughout the country will be considered at a later stage. The
Chief Executive officer of the new company is Tukondjelanee Elijah Nghihalua. |
| 11.02. |
Botswana grants, to
the annoyance of the Namibian Government, political asylum to the 15 leaders
of the secessionist conflict in the Caprivi Region, including Mishake
Muyongo, the chief of the Fwe community in the Caprivi Strip, Boniface Bebi
Mamili and the Regional Governor, Mabuku. |
| 15.02./05.03. |
The International
Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague hears the case on the disputed boundary
around the Kasikili Island which was a point of conflict between Namibia and
Botswana for so many years. |
| 24.02. |
The Deputy Minister
for Works, Transport and Communication, Klaus Dierks, opens four roads in
the once neglected areas in the former Ovamboland. These roads were built by
labour-based means in an effort to alleviate the unemployment situation in
Namibia’s north. Informal road contractors were trained during the
construction phase and the workers were recruited from the area and paid on
a task-work basis, in other words, for the actual piece of work completed.
The four roads are the roads from Onethindi to Oshigambo, from Oluno to
Uukwiyu, from Oshakati to Ompundja and from Onethindi to Olukonda. This
project which was financed by a grant from the German Kreditanstalt für
Wiederaufbau (KfW) included a bridge over the Oshana Ompundja. During a
visit with President Sam Nujoma in 1995 Dierks promised to the Ompundja
community that they would get such a bridge. In August 1997 labour-based
construction of the road from Oshakati to Ompundja had begun. |
| 05.03. |
Presidents Mandela,
Nujoma and Mugabe meet in Pretoria in order to find solutions to end the war
in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). |
| 09.03. |
Returning escapees
from Botswana report about concrete secessionist plans by the leaders of the
Caprivi conflict. |
| 10./12.03. |
President Nujoma
visits Botswana. |
| 18./23.03. |
Tanzania’s President,
Frederick Tulway Sumaye, visits Namibia. |
| 23.03. |
The SWAPO dissident,
Ben Ulenga, establishes a new political party, the Congress of Democrats
(COD). The new party originates from the political pressure group "Forum for
the Future" which was established in Windhoek in October 1998. The former
Namibian Ambassador in Germany, Nora Schimming-Chase is also a founding
member of the party. |
| 25.03. |
Namibia votes as
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council together with China and the
Russian Federation against the NATO bomb attacks on Yugoslavia. |
| 26.03. |
President Sam Nujoma
effects his fourth cabinet re-shuffle during his second term. The Minister
of Mines and Energy, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, becomes Minister for Labour,
after the death of Moses Makue 5Garoëb
in September 1997. The present Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy, Jesaya
Nyamu, becomes Toivo’s successor. The Deputy Minister for Works, Transport
and Communication, Klaus Dierks, becomes the new Deputy Minister for Mines
and Energy. The acting Minister for Labour, John Mueneni Shaetonhodi,
becomes Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication. Walter Kemba
is appointed as Deputy Minister for Labour. Bernhardt Esau replaces the
present Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Wilfried Emvula who becomes
Namibian ambassador in Paris. Siegfried Wohler becomes the new Deputy
Minister for Land, Resettlement and Rehabilitation. The position of Deputy
Minister in the Ministry of Defence remains vacant. |
| 29./31.03. |
The Kenyan President,
Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, visits Namibia. |
| 31.03. |
The National
Transportation Services Holding Company Act No. 28 of 1998 takes effect. The
new Namibian railway legislation regulates the ownership of railway
infrastructure which reverts back to the State and the operations of
TransNamib. |
| 06.04. |
Botswana grants 1 116
escapees of the secessionist conflict in the Caprivi Region political
asylum. |
| 07.04. |
The Minister for
Finance, Nangolo Mbumba, tables the Budget for the Financial Year 1999/2000.
The budget mirrors the difficult economic situation caused by Namibia’s
participation in the war in the DRC and the involvement in the civil war in
Angola. The budget makes provision for an expenditure of N$ 7 715 million,
(N$ 6 784 million for 1998/99), an increase of 14,5% against 1998/99 which
is again more than the inflation rate for the year. The budget makes
provision for a general tax decrease of average five percent, which
indicates that this budget is a typical budget in a general election year.
The tax decrease is compensated by N$ 2 240 million from customs and levies
from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) which marks an increase of
32% against the previous financial year. The two sectors education and
health still receive the biggest share of the total expenditure, although in
real terms a decrease in the expenditure for these votes has to be noted.
The two sectors are heavily influenced by the rapidly spreading HIV-Aids
epidemic (The infection has reached a total number of 53 330 reported cases
in 1998 with an increase during the period 1986 - 1998 of over 1 000%.
Preliminary data recorded for the period January - October 1999 show the
number of infected reaching 12 665, bringing the total number of cases since
1986 to 65 895. The mean life expectancy of 57,7 years for 1991 decreased to
52,4 years). The main problem of the 1999/2000 budget is still the
over-proportional blown up civil service which now has to make provision for
9 000 registered Ex-PLAN soldiers and reaches the number of 78 249 civil
servants. PLAN soldiers over the age of 55 will receive a monthly pension of
N$ 500. The operational budget consists already of 86% of the total budget
with 58% for the salaries for the public service. Consequently the reform
policy of the Wage and Salary Commission (WASCOM) is declared as a failure
by Mbumba. The vote for defence reaches now N$ 559,2 million, an increase of
26,4% against 1998/99 which represents 7,2% of the total budget. This does
not include the expenditure for the war in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC)
which is financed from the emergency vote within the Ministry of Finance.
The coverage of interests for the increased debt jumps to 6,4% of the total
budget. The expected deficit of N$ 799 million is estimated with 4,2% of the
GDP and increases the total debts (N$ 4 500 million) from 23,4% to 23,5% of
the GDP. There is no sign in sight to replace the present First National
Development Plan (NDP1) with a Second National Development Plan (NDP2). In
place of this President Sam Nujoma initiates a long term development
strategy "Vision 2030". There is a decline of foreign donor assistance to be
utilised to finance development projects from close to N$ 46 million in the
financial year 1998/99 to only N$ seven million in the 1999/2000 Budget. |
| 08.04. |
Because the peace
efforts of Namibia and of several countries of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) are not successful to end the war in the
Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), a secret defence agreement is concluded
between Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe and the DRC. |
| 14.04. |
President Nujoma’s
further talks to find a solution for the DRC conflict in Botswana and Zambia
show no results. |
| 18.04. |
Litungu (Fwe
traditional title) George Simasiku, Mamili, becomes the new chief of
the Mafwe Traditional Authority in Linyanti. |
| 19.04. |
It is reported that
no significant progress had been made in the beginning of construction work
on the Northern Extension Railway Line from Tsumeb to Oshikango at the
Angola border although the US Trade Development Agency (TDA) sponsored
feasibility study on the railway line has found that there is enough traffic
to justify the link. The former Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and
Communication, Klaus Dierks, now the new Deputy Minister for Mines and
Energy, had earlier cautioned that the scale of the project would require
strong participation from foreign companies as a prerequisite for the
success of the railway line. The planning concept is to build the line with
labour-based techniques.
The first two test sections were built near Tsumeb and Oshivelo in the year
2000. They were built by labour-intensive means by the
subsidiary company "Patriot Construction" of the state-owned Development
Brigade Corporation which mainly makes use of ex-PLAN (People's Liberation
Army of Namibia) fighters. The full construction the
first phase (Tsumeb-Oshivelo-Omuthiya-Ondangwa: 246 km) started during
2001/2002.
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Pilot Project: 3 km from Km 0: Km 0: Southern Leg
of Fork-Junction: Joining the Existing Railway Line: Tsumeb - Otavi through
the Bobos Mountains: View to the Southwest: October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Pilot Project: 3 km from Km 0: Fill Section at Km
1: View to the South: October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Pilot Project: 3 km from Km 0: Excavation Section
at Km 2: View to the South: October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
  
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Manufacturing of Concrete Sleepers: Tsumeb: With
"Green Hill at Background: Grinaker-LTA/TransNamib Holdings Ltd. Joint
Venture: October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Manufacturing of Concrete Sleepers: Tsumeb:
Grinaker-LTA/TransNamib Holdings Ltd. Joint Venture: October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Equipment-Based Contract 1: from Km 3 to Km 48:
Fill Section at Km 5: Second A Layer under Construction: View to the North:
October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Equipment-Based Contract 1: from Km 3 to Km 48:
Fill Section at Km 25: Second A Layer under Construction: View to the North:
October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Equipment-Based Contract 1: from Km 3 to Km 48:
Fill Section at Km 25: Second A Layer under Construction: The Chief
Executive Officer: TransNamib Holdings Ltd., John Shaetonhodi, October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 l
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Equipment-Based Contract 2: from Km 48 to Km
91,68: Fill Section at Km 99: Formation Layer under Construction: View to
the South: October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Equipment-Based Contract 2: from Km 48 to Km
91,68: Bridge Excavation at Km 99: Bridge over Omuramba Ovambo, South of
Oshivelo: View to the North: October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
  
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: from Km 109,58 to Km
131: Construction of Formation Layer: Approx. Km 115: View to the South:
October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
   
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: from Km 109,84 to Km
131: Labour-Based Activities are based on Day-Tasks: 4 cub.metres per Task:
N$ 21,90/Task (approx. US$ 2,10): Working Hours: 05h00 to 14h00 due to the
Great Heat during the Summer Time: Up to four Tasks can be executed: October
2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: from Km 109,84 to Km 131:
Construction of Labour-Based Concrete Culvert (Pipe Culvert): Km 125:
October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: from Km 109,84 to Km
131: Approx. Km 125: Construction of First A- Layer by Labour-Based Means:
View to the South: October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: from Km 109,58 to Km
131: Construction of Formation Layer: Approx. Km 128: View to the South:
October 2002
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
   
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 1: Roads Contractor Company
(RCC): from Km 109,84 to Km 131: Labour-Based Activities are based on
Day-Tasks: 4 cub.metres per Task: N$ 21,90/Task (approx. US$ 2,10):
Construction of Formation: September 2002
Copyright of Photos: Wolfgang Hundemer
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 2: Roadhart: from Km 131 to
Km 149: Labour-Based Activities are based on Day-Tasks: 4 cub.metres per
Task: N$ 21,90/Task (approx. US$ 2,10): Excavation and Construction of
Formation: October 2002
Copyright of Photos: Wolfgang Hundemer
   
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 3: Storbou Construction:
from Km 149 to Km 167 (Omuthiya): Labour-Based Activities are based on
Day-Tasks: 4 cub.metres per Task: N$ 21,90/Task (approx. US$ 2,10):
Hand-Imported Construction of Formation: September 2002
Copyright of Photos: Wolfgang Hundemer
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 3: Storbou Construction:
from Km 149 to Km 167 (Omuthiya): Removal of an Anthill: September 2002
Copyright of Photo: Wolfgang Hundemer
 
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 4: Roadhart: from Km 167 (Omuthiya)
to Km 185: Roadbed Preparation and Compaction: September 2002
Copyright of Photos: Wolfgang Hundemer
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 4: Roadhart: from Km 167 (Omuthiya)
to Km 185: Labour-Based Activities are based on Day-Tasks: 4 cub.metres per
Task: N$ 21,90/Task (approx. US$ 2,10): Construction of Formation: September
2002
Copyright of Photo: Wolfgang Hundemer
Northern Extension Railway Line: Phase 1: Tsumeb -
Ondangwa: approx. 250 km: Labour-Based Contract 4: Roadhart: from Km 167 (Omuthiya)
to Km 185: Compaction of Formation Layer: September 2002
Copyright of Photo: Wolfgang Hundemer |
| 28.04. |
The Prime Minister,
Hage Geingob, opens the Fourth African Oil and Gas Trade and Finance
Conference in Windhoek. The conference is attended by the Minister for Mines
and Energy, Jesaya Nyamu, the new Mine's Deputy Minister, Klaus Dierks, the
Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),
Kaire Mbuende and Maxime Obiang-Nze, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Association of Petroleum Producers in Africa. |
| 03.05. |
Denmark grants
political asylum to Mishake Muyongo and the chief of the Fwe community in
the Caprivi Strip, Boniface Bebi Mamili. |
| 07.05. |
The Minister for
Works, Transport and Communication, Oskar Valentin Plichta, announces that
Zambia will soon sign an agreement to link both countries by means of the
envisaged Zambezi Bridge. This bridge would be a further milestone in the
completion of the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor. Land locked Zambia
would then be able also to use fully the Trans Caprivi Highway and to
transport good via the Port of Walvis Bay. The bridge would be built close
to Katima Mulilo (Wenela), on the Zambian side where the Zambezi River makes
a big oxbow-like curve. The costs of the project would be about N$ 60
million. This amount will be funded by a grant to the Zambian Government by
the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Due to the
precarious financial situation of Zambia, the country was unable to meet to
some of its loan commitments with the German Government. This nearly ruined
the Zambezi bridge project. Klaus Dierks, the then Deputy Minister for
Works, Transport and Communication, however managed to convince the German
Government of the necessity and urgency of the bridge earlier this year,
about two weeks before he was made Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy on
26.03. As a result German grant funding was made possible and the bridge
over the Zambezi can now be built.
  
Construction of the Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge
508) between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Built on Katima Rapids
(The Bridge is situated in Zambia, the West-Abutment is 10 m from Boundary
Beacon between Namibia and Zambia): Radius: 1 600 m: Incremental Launching
of the Deck over the entire Bridge from West to East has still to take
Place: Total Length of Bridge: 877,40m: 18 Piers and the West-Abutment have
been completed: Progress on February, 12th 2003: View from West to East:
Construction Time: 24 Months as from April 2002: Costs: approx. 9 US
$ Million: The Bridge is the last Missing Link in the Walvis Bay Corridor
from Walvis Bay to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of the Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge
508) between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: The Eastern Abutment is
excavated and the Foundation Base is prepared: Progress on February, 12th
2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
   
Construction of the Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge
508) between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: The Piers were
constructed with the Aid of a Causeway from both Sides of the River with an
Opening in the Middle of the River of 100 m Width during the Dry Season: The
Causeway, which is in the Process to be removed, consists of a Rockfilldam
and Precast Culvert Sections: The Abutments and 18 Piers were built from
the Causeway with the Assistance of Cofferdams, all on Spread Footings,
mostly on Hard Rock (Basalt) within the River (30 MPa Compression Strength;
Max. Heigth: 19,90 m above foundation, 14,40 m above Low Water, 2,60 m above
Highwater (100 Years Probability) ): Progress on February, 12th 2003: View
from East to West
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of the Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge
508) between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of
the Deck over the entire Bridge from West to East from West Abutment to East
Abutment: First Stage is to put the Reinforcement in to the Segment (Hollow
Prestressed Beam 31,4 m long and 10,10 m wide) in the "Reinforcing Bay":
Progress on February, 12th 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of the Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge
508) between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of
the Deck over the entire Bridge from West to East from West Abutment to East
Abutment: First Stage is to put the Reinforcement in to the Segment (Hollow
Prestressed Beam 31,4 m long and 10,10 m wide) in the "Reinforcing Bay";
Stage 2 (Day 1) sees the Erection of the Shuttering for Ground slab and the
two Webs of the Box Girder, after the assembled Reinforcing has been shifted
into the "Casting Bay"; At Stage 3 (Day 2) the casting of the Ground Slab
and the two Webs takes place; At Stage 4 (Day 3) the Shuttering is partly
removed and the Shuttering for the Top Slab is erected; Stage 5 (Day 4) sees
the Concreting of the Top Slab; Stage 6 (Day 5) is a Rest Day in order to
provide for the Hardening of the Concrete; At Stage 7 (Day 6) the
Prestressing for the Construction Stage of the Box Girder (3 Days
Compression Strength of the Concrete: 32 MPa) takes place and at Stage 8
(Day 7, momentary on Monday) the Launching of the 31,4 m Segment to the next
Position takes place.
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of the
Deck: Third Stage: The Segment (31,4 m long) which is casted and prestressed
and ready to be pushed needs for the Launching Process a "Launching Nose
(Mass 60 Tons)" in order to minimise Positive and Negative Bending Moments
during the Launching Process: Progress on February, 12th 2003:
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of the
Deck: Seventh Stage: The Segment No. 7 (31,4 m long) which was casted and
prestressed and is today pushed over Pier No. 7 with an average Launching
Speed of 10 m/hour: View on top of Pier 7 to the West (Katima Mulilo Side):
Progress on May, 19th 2003:
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
   
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of the
Deck: Seventh Stage: The Segment No. 7 (31,4 m long) which was casted and
prestressed and is today pushed over Pier No. 7 with an average Launching
Speed of 10 m/hour: View on top of Pier 7 to the East (Sesheke Side) :
Progress on May, 19th 2003:
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
The Reinforcing Steel in the Reinforcing Bay will
be pushed into the into the Casting Bay which is to be seen in the
Foreground: Progress: May 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: Incremental Launching of the
Deck: Seventh Stage: The Segment No. 7 (31,4 m long) which was casted and
prestressed and is today pushed over Pier No. 7 with an average Launching
Speed of 10 m/hour: View from the western Abutment: The total Deck Mass is
currently 5 000 t: With a Friction Value of 0,02% the Launching Force is 100
t (initially: 300t): At the End, with the total Length of the Box Girder
pushed over the River into the final Position, the total Deck Mass will be
13 000 t with a Launching Force of 260 t (750 t): Progress on May, 19th
2003:
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
During the Launching Process the Prestressing
Strings have to be grouted from Time to Time: Progress: May 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
  
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: View to the East: Progress on
May, 19th 2003:
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
 
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: View to the West: Progress on
May, 19th 2003:
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks
Construction of Zambezi River Bridge (Bridge 508)
between Katima Mulilo and Sesheke in Zambia: View to the East from the
Katima Mulilo Side: The Box Girder Deck will reach the Sesheke Bank in
August/September 2003: After this Date the final Bridge Bearings have to be
mounted and the entire Bridge has to be prestressed for the Design Traffic
Loads: The Bridge will be completed on Schedule and opened to Traffic during
April 2004
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks |
| 14.05. |
Hompa Kassian
Shiyambi is inaugurated as new Gciriku Chief in Ndiyona in the Kavango
Region. |
| 25.05. |
Sixty one escapees of
the secessionist conflict in the Caprivi Region return from Botswana to
Namibia. |
| 28.05. |
The Deputy Minister
for Mines and Energy, Klaus Dierks, is successful to secure preliminary
pledges from the European Union in Brussels for the funding of the first
Windpark power generating project in Sub-Saharan Africa at Lüderitz (at
least 20 MW to be economically feasible). He proposes the project as a
keynote speaker at the Africa Energy Forum in Amsterdam. In a second
development Dierks announces that a large Indian government and business
delegation visits the country looking for partners to start a factory to
construct solar panels. This could boost Namibia’s image to become the
leading African country for renewable energies. This could accelerate rural
electrification by means of sun energy. A proposed Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency Test Facility (REEE) would conduct performance and quality
testing of renewable energy technologies before they would be disseminated
in Namibia. |
| 29.05. |
A scandal is caused
by the extravagant wedding celebration of the Minister for Fisheries and
Marine Resources, Abraham Iyambo because he accepts high gifts from the
fishing industry to pay for the festivities. Consequently the DTA requests
the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate whether this represents a
conflict of interest (03.06.). Iyambo defends his actions as normal and
appropriate (21.06.). President Sam Nujoma puts the discussion to rest by
defending the minister (30.06.). The findings of the Ombudsman, however,
comes to the conclusion that indeed the affair represents a conflict of
interest (end of 1999), without any further consequences. |
| 09.06. |
In the National
Assembly the long overdue Communal Land Reform Bill is tabled. This piece of
legislation addresses the misuse of land in the communal areas where the
politically and socially strong members of society exploit an area not
regulated by law so far on expense of the weak. |
| 15.06. |
On his way to the
inauguration of the newly elected South African President, Thabo Mbeki, the
new Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, stops over in Windhoek. |
| 18.06. |
The Deputy Minister
for Mines and Energy, Klaus Dierks, makes known that the planned 750 MW Kudu
gas power plant near Oranjemund will be constructed until the year 2005 (the
Shell concern which is responsible for the development of the gas power
plant, withdraws, however, for economic reasons in 2002. Due to the rising
Namibian electricity requirements the possibility of the establishment of a
Lower Kunene Basin Hydro Power Plant becomes a distinct possibility. Except
the Baynes Mountains and the Epupa Falls there are several more sites for
such a hydro power station for approx. 300 MW). Dierks also announces that
he received assurances from the European Union in Brussels that the union
would continue to support Namibia’s mining sector under the Sysmin II system
(French: Système Minièr)(Sysmin I: until the year 2000). It was agreed that
funds of the Sysmin II could be used to build the road from Aus to Rosh
Pinah and Oranjemund as an asphalt road in order to serve the new Scorpion
Mine near Rosh Pinah and the Kudu Gas Field. Funds from Sysmin II could be
furthermore used to dredge the Port of Walvis Bay to a depth of 12,8 m in
order to make it even more competitive as a regional hub. Other Sysmin II
projects include an environmental management plan to rehabilitate old mining
sites and to continue with the geological mapping of Namibia. |
| 23.06. |
Immanuel Gottlieb
"Maxuilili" Nathaniel dies in a car accident near Walvis Bay.
 
Memorial for Gottlieb Nathaniel near the Accident
Spot at the Junction of Main Road 36 with District Road 1983 east of Walvis
Bay
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks |
| End June |
President Sam Nujoma
visits the People’s Republic of China, followed by a visit to India
(21./23.07.) and Malaysia as well as Singapore and Mauritius
(30.07./01.08.). |
| 07.07. |
The efforts at the
diplomatic front to end the war in the DRC show first results. A cease fire
agreement is signed in Lusaka. Namibia is one of the signatories. |
| 13.07. |
President Sam Nujoma
announces that Namibia will withdraw her troops from the DRC the moment an
international peace keeping force will be effected in this war torn country. |
| 31.07. |
The COD determines in
chaotic elections its party leadership. Ben Ulenga is elected as Chairman.
The former Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry, Tsudao Gurirab,
becomes Secretary-General. |
| 02.08. |
Fifty members of the
secessionist Caprivi guerillas return to Namibia. They attack the police
station, the military base and the radio station of the Namibian
Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Katima Mulilo. There are several
casualties and injuries on both sides. President Sam Nujoma calls a state of
emergency in the Caprivi Region (until 25.08.). Some people, accused to be
involved into the secessionist plot, are apprehended, incl
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