Namibia has enough natural resources to meet its energy needs, says Tjekero Tweya, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
The legislator made the remarks during a courtesy call visit to the Erongo Regional Governor’s Office in Swakopmund on Monday.
The meeting was part of a five-day oversight visit to the Erongo Region to inspect mining operations at Rössing Uranium, Husab Mine, Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine, Uis Tin Mining, Omusati Granite, Navachab Gold Mine, and African Granite.
“Namibia is now rated the second biggest producer of uranium in the world; however, we have a 60% energy deficit. The resources that we have to address this energy need are here in Namibia and it is uranium. The time has come to change our mindset in terms of our resources,” said Tweya.
The Chairman called for dialogue to find lasting solutions in the mining sector as opposed to pointing fingers at each other.
“There are loopholes in the law that we need to correct and not just criticise and blame each other,” he said.
“We must start talking to each other to provide alternative solutions to change the livelihoods of our people, who have given us the right and honour to be called honourables. We should not confuse policies with laws. Some things only need common sense. We don’t need policies to practice common sense.”
Speaking at the same gathering, Erongo Regional Governor Neville Andre said mining inspectors are required to monitor if all mining activities are legal.
“We don’t have mining inspectors in the region to monitor explorations and mining activities so that the laws are followed,” he said.
The governor told the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources that his office takes a stakeholder approach when mitigating operational challenges at the mines.
“We have a stakeholder approach when we have operational challenges to see how we can mitigate these challenges,” he said.
According to Andre, the Erongo region is fortunate to have an abundance of minerals.
“These resources contribute a lot to economic activities to spin-offs not only to the region and also to the country,” Andre said.
Statistics indicate that 11.1% of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) comes from mining and most of that comes from the Erongo Region, highlighting how crucial the sector is to the population.
The regional governor also called on local authorities and mines to engage in talks to maximise corporate social responsibility so that it makes a lasting impact on communities.
“Nowadays we don’t see a meaningful contribution be it to road constructions or land provision. There needs to be an engagement between the mines and the local authorities so that they can work together on this so that there are meaningful contributions that the mines that make an impact not just donations. Mines are not infinite and they need to leave a lasting impact,” said Andre.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources will file a report on the findings of the mission and it will be delivered to parliament and then forwarded to the line ministries for implementation.
