Africa-Press – Namibia. MINISTER of labour, industrial relations and employment creation Utoni Nujoma says because residents of the Omusati region assisted Angolan citizens with food and clothing last year, residents of the Omusati region should now, in turn, ask Angolans for fuel.
MINISTER of labour, industrial relations and employment creation Utoni Nujoma says because residents of the Omusati region assisted Angolan citizens with food and clothing last year, residents of the Omusati region should now, in turn, ask Angolans for fuel.
Nujoma was speaking at the inauguration of the Tukwathela Mother’s Shelter at Outapi earlier this week, which was built by the Social Security Commission (SSC).
While handing the key to the shelter over to officials, including Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala, former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, and executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe, Nujoma said the shelter will not only serve the community of the Omusati region, but also Angolan citizens.
“We see our neighbours coming here, so there will be something for them.
“I hear our people are getting a little petrol from there [Angola], so that is quid pro quo. Neighbours must help each other. Thank you very much,” Nujoma said.
He made the same call after delivering his keynote address.
“The governor was just telling me a few months ago we had almost 3 000 Angolan refugees here, and the governor and his team were really providing help to our neighbours.”
“So, sometimes, like now when you are in need, you can also ask the neighbours for a little bit of petrol or diesel, or how do you feel?” Nujoma said.
The minister thanked the Omusati community for always assisting Angolan citizens.
Nujoma yesterday did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo could not be reached for comment, while the executive director of mines and energy, Simeon Negumbo, said he was in a meeting and could not comment.
In April this year, Alweendo said it disturbs the governments of both Namibia and Angola that Namibians buy fuel in Angola illegally and export it to Namibia without Angola’s permission.
“Both governments are concerned – not only the Namibian government. It’s another thing to go and fill your car there,” he said at the time.
In his budget speech, Alweendo said importing illegal fuel from Angola into Namibia hampers Namibia’s economy.
“For example, our roads are being maintained by a fuel levy that is collected from the purchase of fuel from fuel retailers.
“However, when motorists buy illegally imported fuel, no levy is being collected, and as a result, our ability to maintain our roads is diminished,” he said.
Nujoma was speaking at the inauguration of the Tukwathela Mother’s Shelter at Outapi earlier this week, which was built by the Social Security Commission (SSC).
While handing the key to the shelter over to officials, including Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala, former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, and executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe, Nujoma said the shelter will not only serve the community of the Omusati region, but also Angolan citizens.
“We see our neighbours coming here, so there will be something for them.
“I hear our people are getting a little petrol from there [Angola], so that is quid pro quo. Neighbours must help each other. Thank you very much,” Nujoma said.
He made the same call after delivering his keynote address.
“The governor was just telling me a few months ago we had almost 3 000 Angolan refugees here, and the governor and his team were really providing help to our neighbours.”
“So, sometimes, like now when you are in need, you can also ask the neighbours for a little bit of petrol or diesel, or how do you feel?” Nujoma said.
The minister thanked the Omusati community for always assisting Angolan citizens.
Nujoma yesterday did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo could not be reached for comment, while the executive director of mines and energy, Simeon Negumbo, said he was in a meeting and could not comment.
In April this year, Alweendo said it disturbs the governments of both Namibia and Angola that Namibians buy fuel in Angola illegally and export it to Namibia without Angola’s permission.
“Both governments are concerned – not only the Namibian government. It’s another thing to go and fill your car there,” he said at the time.
In his budget speech, Alweendo said importing illegal fuel from Angola into Namibia hampers Namibia’s economy.
“For example, our roads are being maintained by a fuel levy that is collected from the purchase of fuel from fuel retailers.
“However, when motorists buy illegally imported fuel, no levy is being collected, and as a result, our ability to maintain our roads is diminished,” he said.
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