Africa-Press – Namibia. PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday called on those involved in the oil and gas sector to conduct their operations transparently, ensuring respect for Namibia and its people.
She made these remarks in a speech delivered on her behalf at the third Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday
The event was attended by various government leaders and industry stakeholders.
She said that the country’s natural resources belong to the nation, and their development must always serve the public good.
“I therefore call on all industry stakeholders to conduct their operations with honesty, integrity, and full transparency, in a manner that shows genuine respect for Namibia and its people,” she said.
The president openly welcomed industry players who come to Namibia with an honest, clear, and long-term partnership mindset.
However, she cautioned that the country’s administration will be keeping a close watch on all developments to ensure strict adherence to laws, regulations, and policies.
“But let me also caution, our government will always closely monitor all activities in the sector to ensure international oil companies and their contractors adhere strictly to our laws, our regulations, and most importantly, our local content policy,” she said.
“We will not tolerate practices that undermine the Namibian people’s rightful share of the benefits,” she warned, underscoring zero tolerance for actions that diminish Namibians’ benefits.
Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the oil and gas sector must unite rather than divide Namibia, empowering rather than marginalising its citizens.
“The true measure of our success will not be in the number of barrels extracted, but in the number of lives uplifted,” she said.
Also speaking at the conference, deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, said Namibia’s oil and gas discoveries had brought hope not only for the country, but for southern Africa as a whole.
“If managed well, those resources can be a key enabler for industrialisation, infrastructure growth, skills development, and poverty eradication in the region,” he said.
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