Africa-Press – Namibia. MINES and energy minister Tom Alweendo has removed Erasmus Shivolo from his position as mining commissioner, amid claims about bribery that have rocked the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Shivolo has been replaced as mining commissioner – a position he has held for 14 years – by Isabella Chirchir with immediate effect, Alweendo announced in a statement on Friday.
Chirchir is the current deputy director of mining in the ministry.
Alweendo did not give a reason for the removal of Shivolo in his statement.
However, reports have been circulating in the media about officials from the ministry allegedly having been involved in underhanded dealings around mining and exploration licences issued by the ministry.
The mining commissioner’s office has also been criticised by private investors complaining about no approval of exploration licences or unnecessary delays which have resulted in investors losing their licences.
According to the ministry’s website, Shivolo holds a bachelor of science degree in materials science engineering and a bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology in the United States.
He has served in several positions in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, including as chief engineer, deputy director and director of mines.
He has been the mining commissioner since 2008 and is also a deputy executive director in the ministry. It is not clear if he will retain that position or not.
Shivolo has been replaced as mining commissioner – a position he has held for 14 years – by Isabella Chirchir with immediate effect, Alweendo announced in a statement on Friday.
Chirchir is the current deputy director of mining in the ministry.
Alweendo did not give a reason for the removal of Shivolo in his statement.
However, reports have been circulating in the media about officials from the ministry allegedly having been involved in underhanded dealings around mining and exploration licences issued by the ministry.
The mining commissioner’s office has also been criticised by private investors complaining about no approval of exploration licences or unnecessary delays which have resulted in investors losing their licences.
According to the ministry’s website, Shivolo holds a bachelor of science degree in materials science engineering and a bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology in the United States.
He has served in several positions in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, including as chief engineer, deputy director and director of mines.
He has been the mining commissioner since 2008 and is also a deputy executive director in the ministry. It is not clear if he will retain that position or not.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
