Air Namibia, the national carrier of Namibia would like to celebrate the life of Mr Martin Andreas, Air Namibia’s Station Controller at Ondangwa Airport.
Martin has been devoted to Air Namibia for close to four decades, and leaves a stable station behind as he enters his retirement on Friday, 31 March 2017.
From humble beginnings, Martin joined Air Namibia (Namib Air at that time) on 10 February 1978 as a Refueller for aircraft at Eros Airport. He was responsible for quality control of aircraft fuel before refuelling the aircraft.
I had to make sure that the fuel is not mixed with water before refuelling.
When fuel for aircraft has been transported, it needs to be stable for a while before refuelling, to ensure that dirt and unwanted substances remain at the bottom of the container, while clean oil emerges at the top,” he explained his entry position at the national airliner.
Three years later, in 1981, Martin was transferred to the workshop division, working as an Engineer Assistant. He was primarily responsible for maintenance of jet engines, replacement of jet tyres and greasing of jet bearings. He served in this position for two years, before he was reassigned back to be a Refueller. Apart from being a Refueller,
Martin was also responsible for training and mentoring new Refueller trainees mainly on how to test the quality of jet fuel before refuelling. He held this position for 4 years, from 1983 till early 1987.
A highlight in his career that Martin will always keep close to his heart was when he was appointed as Petrol Station Manager for fuelling jetliners’ in mid-October 1987.
This appointment meant that he had to be transferred to Oshakati in Oshana region.I was very delighted with this appointment, as I was entrusted with more responsibilities that are very critical to the daily management of the national airline. It was also a great opportunity to reunite with my family in the north, he proudly said.
It was in April 1994 when Martin was appointed as the Station Manager for Ondangwa Airport, after the airliners offices moved from Oshakati to Ondangwa earlier that year.
He served in this position up until his retirement. His day to day work is to oversee the smooth running of the station, making sure that flights depart on the scheduled time and daily work, including managing staff under his wing.
As Martin reflects on 39 years of his time at Air Namibia, he recalls various developments that took place at the national airline. I have seen Air Namibia growing from small company to a bigger and better company over the years,he narrated.
He continued, When I started in 1978, the company was known as South West Airways, and later renamed Namib Air the very same year. Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, Namib Air was renamed Air Namibia.
In the early years, Air Namibia only had 4 small aircrafts: a 5 seater, 8 seater, 22 seater and the biggest being a 55 seater aircraft. Today, Air Namibia boasts a fleet of 10 aircrafts operating nationally, regionally and internationally.
Advocate Mandi Samson, Air Namibia’s Acting Managing Director described Martin as a humble leader who serves customers with a sense of humility, selflessness and commitment.
Martin’s attention to detail, while keeping the broader picture in mind, has been invaluable. His willingness to put in extra time and effort to complete tasks within deadlines has demonstrated commitment to achieve excellence.
During his career, he acquired valuable skills in the aviation field through countless training courses and workshops. Martin narrates, For 39 years I worked at Air
Namibia, I have gone through multiple training courses; from Airport operation training to ground handling, aircraft loading and other supervisory trainings.
Although I have been empowered over the years, I am a firm believer that information needs to be shared for the smooth running of the business. To that effect, I have been able to successfully impart the experience, knowledge and skills I have gained over the years to my colleagues,he specified.
Joining the aviation industry at a youthful age of 21 and spending most of his lifetime at Air Namibia, Martin said that he will always be grateful and indebted to Air Namibia for being part of his life. Filled with mixed feelings, he said: Although this employment has occupied most of my life, it has empowered me to be a responsible manager, mentor and friend.
I have acquired business acumen skills, invaluable experience and of course, I have been able to provide for my family. In a nutshell, this opportunity has made me a better person in life.
In his final words, Martin said: I will miss my Air Namibia family, more especially my colleagues at Ondangwa, and the friends I have made over the years. But closer to the heart, I will miss the beautiful landing and taking off of our aircraft.
As I go on retirement, I would like to wish the company all the best with its current and future plans.
Adv. Samson extended words of appreciation to Mr Martin on behalf of the national airline; Air Namibia would like to extend our best wishes to Martin in his new endeavours. Martin will be greatly missed by the passengers and colleagues alike.
We have all benefited from his hands on proactive approach and management style. Air Namibia wishes Martin a happy retirement.
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Showing posts with label ondangwa airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ondangwa airport. Show all posts
Monday, 5 June 2017
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
NAMIBIA: Govt Approves N$7b Airport
Works Permanent Secretary Willem Goeieman
THE Namibia Airports Company has awarded a tender to construct a new international airport worth close to N$7 billion to a Chinese state-owned company.
This deal is not only about the contract signed in a questionable manner at a time when the state is struggling financially, but the agreement also means that well known broker Knowledge Katti might allegedly rake in more than N$100 million for being the middleman in this deal.
The tender was last week awarded to Chinese government-owned firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation for N$6,8 billion, Namibia Airports Company spokesperson Dan Kamati confirmed yesterday.
Kamati said the government will “fully fund” the project worth N$6,8 billion (U$478 million). This amount is an increase from the N$5 billion quoted by the same company last year.
“A letter of award has been issued to the successful bidder AFECC by government through the Ministry of Works and Transport. It will not be an entirely new airport but rather a major upgrade and expansion of the Hosea Kutako International Airport,” said Kamati.
He added that the project will cater for a new runway as well as a double story terminal for international passengers.
According to Kamati, the current terminal will cater for domestic flights and will also have new VIP and business lounges.
“There will be a new fire station for the airport, a new air traffic control tower and a new car parking area,” Kamati said.
Works permanent secretary Willem Goeieman denied allegations that his ministry did not want the project to go ahead due to funding constraints and added that the project has been on the cards for the past three years.
Informants however insisted that the tender was cancelled before Goeieman came into the office in July this year.
Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation is China's construction and mining company.
The Chinese company beat fellow parastatal China Harbour Construction Engineering to the deal after their N$4 billion bid failed even though they made it to second place. Those close to the losing Asian company said they were once recommended to get the airport deal before they were elbowed out last year.
Like many other mega-contracts, this one is also affected by allegations of cronyism, fronting and another way to pocket tax payers' money.
A source who declined to be named said there is a clique of NAC board members who fast-tracked the process of this tender by falsely using President Hage Geingob's name, claiming that the head of state wants the new international airport project completed soon since the Ondangwa airport has already been inaugurated.
Richard Frankle & Partners Quantity Surveyors were brought in to recommend the appropriate company to get the tender.
The catch is here: NAC board member Frieda Aluteni is close to Lesley Hindjou, a quantity surveyor at Richard Frankle and Partners.
Katti is related to Aluteni, which is why some people have expressed that they are not surprised that Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation got the billion-dollar job because of a cartel of lobbyists consisting of Katti, Aluteni and others.
Even though Katti denied his interest last year on social media, saying that he has “no time to play middlemen in the new airport” tender, a source insisted that Katti - the globe-trotting broker - is in this airport deal and stands to pocket over N$100 million.
Brokers are now commonly being involved in mega state tenders. They are not partners and will not be officially named but they get handsome commissions for pushing through deals.
The Namibian reported last year the airport parastatal had already hand-picked Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation as the successful bidder for the tender of the airport even though an advert placed in the media called for tenders from interested parties.
It was also reported that the construction of the airport would be financed with a soft loan from the Chinese government, on condition that a Chinese company is chosen for the project.
The airport tender has had a shady past since last year.
Revelations that the government is set to spend N$6 billion or N$7 billion on the construction of the new airport fuels the perception that Hage Geingob's administration continues to spend on unnecessary projects like the airport while health institutions continue begging for money.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi said in 2013 that his ministry needed about N$3 billion to turn hospitals such as Katutura into state-of-the-art health facilities, an amount the ministry did not have.
Considering that the suspended mass housing project wanted to build 10 000 houses for N$2,9 billion in two years, the N$6 billion set to be splashed on the airport is equal to building over 20 000 houses in four years.
This deal is not only about the contract signed in a questionable manner at a time when the state is struggling financially, but the agreement also means that well known broker Knowledge Katti might allegedly rake in more than N$100 million for being the middleman in this deal.
The tender was last week awarded to Chinese government-owned firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation for N$6,8 billion, Namibia Airports Company spokesperson Dan Kamati confirmed yesterday.
Kamati said the government will “fully fund” the project worth N$6,8 billion (U$478 million). This amount is an increase from the N$5 billion quoted by the same company last year.
“A letter of award has been issued to the successful bidder AFECC by government through the Ministry of Works and Transport. It will not be an entirely new airport but rather a major upgrade and expansion of the Hosea Kutako International Airport,” said Kamati.
He added that the project will cater for a new runway as well as a double story terminal for international passengers.
According to Kamati, the current terminal will cater for domestic flights and will also have new VIP and business lounges.
“There will be a new fire station for the airport, a new air traffic control tower and a new car parking area,” Kamati said.
Works permanent secretary Willem Goeieman denied allegations that his ministry did not want the project to go ahead due to funding constraints and added that the project has been on the cards for the past three years.
Informants however insisted that the tender was cancelled before Goeieman came into the office in July this year.
Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation is China's construction and mining company.
The Chinese company beat fellow parastatal China Harbour Construction Engineering to the deal after their N$4 billion bid failed even though they made it to second place. Those close to the losing Asian company said they were once recommended to get the airport deal before they were elbowed out last year.
Like many other mega-contracts, this one is also affected by allegations of cronyism, fronting and another way to pocket tax payers' money.
A source who declined to be named said there is a clique of NAC board members who fast-tracked the process of this tender by falsely using President Hage Geingob's name, claiming that the head of state wants the new international airport project completed soon since the Ondangwa airport has already been inaugurated.
Richard Frankle & Partners Quantity Surveyors were brought in to recommend the appropriate company to get the tender.
The catch is here: NAC board member Frieda Aluteni is close to Lesley Hindjou, a quantity surveyor at Richard Frankle and Partners.
Katti is related to Aluteni, which is why some people have expressed that they are not surprised that Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation got the billion-dollar job because of a cartel of lobbyists consisting of Katti, Aluteni and others.
Even though Katti denied his interest last year on social media, saying that he has “no time to play middlemen in the new airport” tender, a source insisted that Katti - the globe-trotting broker - is in this airport deal and stands to pocket over N$100 million.
Brokers are now commonly being involved in mega state tenders. They are not partners and will not be officially named but they get handsome commissions for pushing through deals.
The Namibian reported last year the airport parastatal had already hand-picked Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation as the successful bidder for the tender of the airport even though an advert placed in the media called for tenders from interested parties.
It was also reported that the construction of the airport would be financed with a soft loan from the Chinese government, on condition that a Chinese company is chosen for the project.
The airport tender has had a shady past since last year.
Revelations that the government is set to spend N$6 billion or N$7 billion on the construction of the new airport fuels the perception that Hage Geingob's administration continues to spend on unnecessary projects like the airport while health institutions continue begging for money.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi said in 2013 that his ministry needed about N$3 billion to turn hospitals such as Katutura into state-of-the-art health facilities, an amount the ministry did not have.
Considering that the suspended mass housing project wanted to build 10 000 houses for N$2,9 billion in two years, the N$6 billion set to be splashed on the airport is equal to building over 20 000 houses in four years.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
NAMIBIA: Eros Airport
About this NAC Airport
Eros Airport is five (5) km from Windhoek’s central business district (CBD), and is the busiest airport of NAC in terms of aircraft movements. Its reliable fuel supply makes it a favourite stopover destination for pilots and air travellers.
Apart from being the centre of aircraft maintenance, the airport is also Namibia’s hub for general and leisure aviation.
Amongst the key services available at Eros Airport is common cargo, fire station, ground handling and car rentals. Prime, but affordable land for prospective developers is available for warehouses, office blocks and hangars, offering close proximity to Windhoek’s CBD.
Scenic and pleasure flights can also be taken from the Eros Airport. Due to its proximity to the city, Eros Airport is limited to domestic flights to destinations such as Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Katima Mulilo, Rundu and many other tourist destinations across Namibia.
Recently completed various capital projects at this airport include:
• Access control system towards northern hanger facilities
• Expansion of the apron and interanal security fencing
• Upgrade of perimeter fencing
Future capital projects, such as building of a bigger fire station, a blast fence at the airport and the extension of apron floodlights are envisaged.
Runway information
Runway Category : 3C
Runway Length : 2 229 m
Runway Width : 30 m
Secondary Runway Length : 1000 m
Secondary Runway Width : 30 m
Fire Fighting Category : 4
Fuel information
The NAC have contracted the following service providers for efficient supply of fuel to the airlines at Eros Airport: Jet A1 fuel, AV Gas by Puma Energy (Pty) Ltd.
Facilities
Restaurant
Car rental
Long and short term parking
Ground handlers
Refuelling facility
Eros Airport is five (5) km from Windhoek’s central business district (CBD), and is the busiest airport of NAC in terms of aircraft movements. Its reliable fuel supply makes it a favourite stopover destination for pilots and air travellers.
Apart from being the centre of aircraft maintenance, the airport is also Namibia’s hub for general and leisure aviation.
Amongst the key services available at Eros Airport is common cargo, fire station, ground handling and car rentals. Prime, but affordable land for prospective developers is available for warehouses, office blocks and hangars, offering close proximity to Windhoek’s CBD.
Scenic and pleasure flights can also be taken from the Eros Airport. Due to its proximity to the city, Eros Airport is limited to domestic flights to destinations such as Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Katima Mulilo, Rundu and many other tourist destinations across Namibia.
Recently completed various capital projects at this airport include:
• Access control system towards northern hanger facilities
• Expansion of the apron and interanal security fencing
• Upgrade of perimeter fencing
Future capital projects, such as building of a bigger fire station, a blast fence at the airport and the extension of apron floodlights are envisaged.
Runway information
Runway Category : 3C
Runway Length : 2 229 m
Runway Width : 30 m
Secondary Runway Length : 1000 m
Secondary Runway Width : 30 m
Fire Fighting Category : 4
Fuel information
The NAC have contracted the following service providers for efficient supply of fuel to the airlines at Eros Airport: Jet A1 fuel, AV Gas by Puma Energy (Pty) Ltd.
Facilities
Restaurant
Car rental
Long and short term parking
Ground handlers
Refuelling facility
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