Namibia’s Acting Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Frans Kapofi, on Tuesday tabled a notice in the National Assembly for an urgent amendment to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1991 (Act No. 2 of 1991) that seeks to transfer key decision-making powers from the ministry to the Office of the President.
Kapofi said the amendment aims to “delete, amend, and define certain expressions” in the current legislation to align with new institutional arrangements and the establishment of a dedicated Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Presidency.
“The amendment will provide for the powers, duties, and functions of the Director General and Deputy Director General, define or further define certain expressions, and provide for matters incidental thereto,” Kapofi said.
He explained that the proposed bill will transfer several responsibilities from the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to the Director General of the new unit in the Presidency.
It will also authorise the transfer of powers from the Commissioner for Petroleum Affairs to the Deputy Director General of the Upstream Petroleum Unit.
According to Kapofi, the legislation provides for the establishment, objectives and functions of the new unit, which will serve as the principal coordinating body for Namibia’s upstream petroleum activities.
The amendment represents a major structural change in Namibia’s petroleum governance framework, consolidating regulatory and oversight powers within the Presidency through a dedicated unit responsible for exploration and production oversight.
The development follows the appointment of Kapofi as Acting Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy in October by President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who briefly took charge of the ministry to maintain stability after the dismissal of Natangwe Ithete as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the appointment was made in line with Article 32(3)(i)(dd) of the Namibian Constitution, which empowers the Head of State to assign or reassign ministerial functions to ensure the effective operation of government.
The Presidency said the proposed restructuring follows leadership changes within the ministry and is aimed at ensuring continuity and efficiency in the management of Namibia’s rapidly expanding petroleum sector.
