The Minister of Mines and Energy says Namibia complies with environmental laws in the process of oil and gas exploration.

Tom Alweendo was responding to questions about environmental destruction during exploration at the Namibia International Energy Conference in Windhoek.

Minister Alweendo says those who speak about environmental destruction are always speaking from their comfort zone without knowing the reality on the ground.

While adhering to environmental laws, the country, he says, seeks to better the lives of its people through the discovery of oil and gas.

The German government has presented a letter of intent to Enertag, a global renewable energy company, confirming the suitability of the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project as a designated strategic foreign undertaking.

The strategic foreign project designation for the US$10 billion project renders it eligible to receive targeted support.

Strategic foreign project designation is a status reserved for high-priority global projects of strategic interest to Germany.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, in a moving address at Statehouse, paid tribute to the late President Geingob. 

Describing him as a compassionate leader who was dedicated to serving and uplifting others and an administrator, the public servants who diligently served the nation. 

In honouring President Geingob's memory, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged citizens to persist in their pursuit of unity and unwavering commitment to national endeavours, carrying forward the legacy of a leader who left an indelible mark on the nation.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has addressed questions posed by LPM MP Henny Seibeb regarding allegations of lead exposure cover-up by Trevali Mining Corporation in the ||Kharas Region.

Seibeb noted that a medical report exists that reveals the findings of lead concentration tests conducted on 30 children. According to the report, all 30 children exhibited high levels of lead in their blood. These tests were performed by a medical doctor who was previously employed by the mining company.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has warned officials in the ministry against unethical and corrupt intentions to advance personal agendas.

"Of concern are complaints of unethical behaviour among some Ministry officials, including favouritism towards friends and bribery allegations during the application process. Appropriate action will be taken against officials found guilty of misconduct, and reporting of such incidents through the newly introduced "Fraud Alert" feature on the Ministry's website is encouraged."

Uis community members have alleged that a Chinese Mining company, Xinfeng, and several others are mining Lithium while their licenses were approved to mine semi-precious stones in the Daures Constituency of the Erongo Region. 

The Community Spokesperson Jimmy ||Araseb has requested the Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to revoke the mining licenses of all operators who are suspected of dodgy dealings.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has vehemently denied allegations of benefiting from N$50 million in unduly awarded mining licenses for proxies.

Alweendo informed journalists during a briefing that he did not receive a single cent, saying his only role in awarding licenses of any nature is merely to issue award letters to successful applicants by recommendation of experts after strict criteria have been applied.