The branch of the Independent Patriots for Change in Erongo has called on the mining industry to plough back into the communities in which they operate.

Its Chairperson, Aloysius Kangulu, says his party wants the industry to add value to resources instead of exporting them in raw form.

The IPC leadership in the Erongo Region addressed a media conference at Walvis Bay.

Echoing fellow political parties who recently called on the mining industry to ensure benefits are shared with community members, the IPC urged the government to intervene.

"We want to see road infrastructure development in Daures. I want to see a tarred road from Omaruru to Uis and Uis to Omatjete so that we can empower people and ensure the transportation of goods and services as conveniently as possible. Water in Daures and water in Otjimbingwe remain concerns after 32 years. We want the GRN intervention this time around to ensure that they provide necessary needs to our people."

Kangulu emphasized the need for the industry to add value to natural resources and also create sustainable jobs for the community.

"We have seen how the youth are running around here, demonstrating; that is not what they want; it's not their desire to demonstrate, but the situation has forced them; therefore, the government must ensure, through the law, through relevant laws, that the investors that are coming to Namibia bring factories to this land where they are tapping resources. They must bring plant processing to Daures, where they are mining lithium and so forth so that they can create jobs for our youth so that they empower them."

Kangulu warned that if youth are not empowered, they may continue expressing their frustration through protests.

Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo told nbc News last month that the government plans to alter the mining laws to increase community involvement where these mining activities take place.

Alweendo says although mining companies do their social corporate responsibility in communities, it is not a legal requirement when they are awarded the licenses.

This, Alweendo says, needs to change.