The National Assembly has passed the second reading of the Petroleum Amendment Bill.
The Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Modestus Amutse, has expressed appreciation to MPs who supported the bill.
Discussions on the Petroleum Amendment bill in the National Assembly reached a standstill after members of the opposition staged a walk-out.
This followed the Speaker’s call for a division of the house for the voting to take place on the proposed bill.
The National Assembly has commenced with the debate on the approval of the Petroleum Amendment Bill.
MPs supporting the Bill stated that Parliament should still maintain oversight in the sector with reports regularly tabled by the line ministry.
Opposition party members who contributed to the Petroleum Amendment Bill in the National Assembly argued that despite the Bill being presented as modernising petroleum governance, its substantive aim is to restructure and concentrate decision-making powers around the President and presidential appointees, weakening
Debate on the Petroleum Amendment Bill resumed in the National Assembly, with MPs supporting the bill pointing out that the draft legislation will improve oversight, attract investment and support local content and skills development.
Swapo Party MP Tuulikki Abraham has backed the Petroleum Amendment Bill, saying parliament must align existing laws with the Executive's decision to shift certain petroleum oversight powers to the Presidency.
The debate on the Petroleum Amendment Bill took an unexpected turn in parliament, with the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) being the only opposition party supporting the bill.
This stirred up some commotion in the house.
It was a back and forth in the National Assembly as MPs discussed the Petroleum Amendment Bill.
Most MPs from the opposition opposed the bill, citing the president's oversight over the unit as a sign of lack of confidence in the line ministry.
Minister of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has tabled the Petroleum Amendment Bill in Parliament, transferring management of Namibia's petroleum sector to the Office of the President.
The Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Frans Kapofi, has proposed tabling the Petroleum Amendment Bill, aimed at establishing an upstream petroleum unit as well as introducing measures to strengthen fiscal transparency and accountability.
