NEFF defends support for Petroleum Amendment Bill

By: Envaalde Matheus

The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) says its support for the Petroleum Amendment Bill is aimed at advancing Namibia’s economic emancipation and does not amount to a blank cheque to the Executive.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NEFF parliamentarian Kalimbo Iipumbu said the party stands by its decision to support the bill.

“NEFF supported the Bill because we believe Namibia must begin treating its petroleum resources as a strategic national economic asset, and not merely as an opportunity for foreign capital,” he said.

The Bill provides for an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President and transfers certain petroleum related powers from the minister and Petroleum Commissioner to the Presidency and the new unit.

Iipumbu acknowledged concerns about the concentration of authority, accountability and possible political interference, saying these issues require parliamentary and public scrutiny.

“Indeed, opposition parties have previously walked out in protest over provisions concerning the Office of the President, resulting in the postponement of voting because the required quorum was not present,” he said.

He said NEFF would continue to demand transparency, parliamentary oversight, local content, employment and meaningful Namibian participation in the petroleum industry.

Iipumbu said the party believes political independence must be matched by economic control, arguing that the country’s petroleum resources should benefit the wider population rather than reproduce existing inequalities

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