Govt, bar owners meet for showdown booze talk

ESTER KAMATI OTJIWARONGOFollowing an uproar over the ban imposed on shebeens, the trade ministry has sought to quell fears, saying Covid-19 regulations are by no means a tool used to disadvantage their businesses and livelihoods.A high-powered delegation from the ministry, which included deputy executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, met representatives of the Namibia Shebeen Association in Otjiwarongo yesterday to devise a mutually-beneficial solution between government and business owners who have requested that regulations be relaxed for the trade of liquor and operation of shebeens and bars.The meeting took place just over a week after shebeen owners held a peaceful demonstration and called on government to review the regulations which prohibit the on-site consumption of alcohol at bars and allow bar owners to trade only between 09h00 and 18h00 from Monday to Friday.The association was asked to draft a proposal on their proposed interventions which details how they would adhere and enforce Covid-19 regulations if granted their request to trade on site. The proposal will then be presented to Cabinet.Nghipondoka-Robiati said restrictions on alcohol sales have a direct impact on government.“If you don’t operate, there are no taxes Mr Shimi [finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi] is going to collect.“We administer the Liquor Act but we are also responsible for stimulating economic growth,” she said, adding that N$920 million was contributed to the economy in 2019 by the liquor industry. Over N$700 million in taxes was contributed in the same year.“We want to work hand in hand.”Nghipondoka-Robiati added that the shebeen industry needs to be formalised for better regulation.UnfairA shebeen owner lamented that the playing field is not level, as shebeens operate at the same time as wholesalers, which gives wholesalers an advantage.Otjiwarongo constituency councillor Maralyn Mbakera added that shebeens are also a contributor to reduction in unemployment and emphasised the importance of working together to reach a consensus and work out enforceable measures.“The intention of the president was not to punish anyone. The measures were put in place to curb the spread of the virus.“If not for those regulations, we would have been a wiped-out nation by now,” she said.Shebeen owners were also urged to not only look at measures to be enforced on the client but among the owners and staff as well.“The status quo has been that the government has tried to meet you halfway and balance the economic situation with the social. It has also been noted that there has been some backdoor selling, which is not in line with regulations,” Helvi Petrus, director of commerce at the trade ministry, said.“The onus should be on you to ensure that the adherence takes place.”ester@myzone.com.na

Govt, bar owners meet for showdown booze talk

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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Govt, bar owners meet for showdown booze talk

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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