The ||Kharas  regional leadership has appealed for stronger collaboration with investors exploiting the region's natural resources to ensure local communities optimally benefit from developmental projects. 

The ||Kharas Regional Council Chairperson, Gerrit Witbooi, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to the office of the ||Kharas governor in Keetmanshoop.  

Witbooi stood in for Governor Dawid Gertze during the courtesy visit, as he was unable to attend due to death in the family.  

He pledged the council's support for the green hydrogen development near Lüderitz as well as the planned Lüderitz harbour expansion. 

"But we can't talk about oil and gas as leaders because we were never there and never met Shell or Total or people involved in this. And that is our plea through our central government, through lawmakers who are you, that we meet and engage. Then we have Koryx Haib Minerals, 20 km before entering Noordoewer. This is the only person that came to this office two weeks back to meet the leadership. They want to engage in social corporate responsibility."

The committee's chairperson, Tobie Aupindi, emphasised the importance of maximising the sustainable use of the country's natural resources to ensure they deliver meaningful benefits to all Namibians.

"Remember that in our Constitution it is pointed out that the natural resources of Namibia belong to the people. And as we move, we would probably get a quick version of you on the horizon of the region. As we move, our position is always that the consumption of Namibia's natural resources can be done better. We might have good successes, but it is also true when you have done there is a loophole there which now calls for you to do even better."

Dr. Aupindi reiterated the committee's oversight mission is centred on ensuring that policies and laws deliver tangible benefits to the people on the ground.