FROM THE CABINET CHAMBERS
Some cabinet decisions issued at the ninth decision-making meeting
ReconAfrica drilling project
Cabinet took note of the progress made by ReconAfrica under the Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 73.
Cabinet directed the ministry of mines and energy to develop an efficient and effective public relations strategy with a communication plan for stakeholder’s engagement on the project, including constituency councillors, traditional leaders and local communities in the Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions. Cabinet directed the ministries of mines and energy (convener), environment, agriculture, water and land reform to jointly address the concerns regarding the issuance of permits and lease agreements for the drilling project in the Kavango basin and all other future drilling projects in communal areas with aquifers.
Covid-19 preparedness
Cabinet took note of the current epidemiological status of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Cabinet approved the following proposed measures to strengthen the national Covid-19 preparedness and response:
To create additional space at health facilities to admit Covid-19 patients; To increase capacity of medical gas-generating system to supply more oxygen and improve pressure to theatres, intensive care units (ICUs) and isolations units;
To bring on board additional health workers to support the National Covid-19 preparedness and response. The mobilisation and allocation of additional resources to strengthen Covid-19 testing capacity in the country. Cabinet took note and endorsed the required additional financial resources to implement the proposed measures.
Fishermen jobs
Cabinet approved that the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources grant 2 400 Metric Tons (MT) of hake quota to Hangana Seafood for the recruitment of the affected 290 employees.