Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani has said the decision by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to place the management of the oil and gas under her office is insufficient.
Nandi-Ndaitwah announced on Saturday that the oil and gas industry will be placed under the Office of the President.
For years, the similarly-contentious green hydrogen sector has been managed by former president Hage Geingob’s economic adviser, James Myupe, without designated legislation to regulate it.
Venaani yesterday said Nandi-Ndaitwah should rather tell the nation whether her administration will renegotiate the terms of existing oil agreements.
“First and foremost, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah must tell this country if she is willing to renegotiate the oil deals where we are receiving 10%. Whether she moves it to her office or any other office, the bottom line is we need to renegotiate our oil deals – is she willing to do that?” Venaani asked, in an interview with The Namibian.
Venaani said a willingness by the president to renegotiate oil deals to help address the country’s needs would indicate that her presidency is moving in the right direction.
Venaani claimed that countries like Papua New Guinea were able to successfully negotiate oil deals that gave the country higher stakes in the oil industry.
“We need to renegotiate our oil deals before drilling starts,” Venaani said.
Spokesperson of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme Jona Musheko said this weekend that it is misguided to judge the president’s decision to place the oil and gas industry under her office.
“We trust the leadership of [the president] and are looking forward to contributing in all manners we would be required to make Namibia the best place for all Namibians,” Musheko said.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
