The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, stated that there is a surge in hydrocarbon exploration interest locally.
This, he said, underscores the need for heightened discernment in managing the licensing process within the ministry.
Alweendo was responding to a question posed by former MP Henny Seibeb in a letter purportedly written by an irate investor, alleging corruption practices against the Petroleum Commissioner and himself in the awarding of petroleum licenses.
The question is also referred to in a social media post alleging that Minister Alweendo has corruptly awarded a petroleum exploration license to his friend.
In his response, Alweendo told the House that in February 2021, Eco Oil and Gas Services, a Namibian-registered company, was awarded PEL98 and that in December 2022, Oranto Petroleum, a Nigerian-registered company, was awarded PEL106.
Both companies, he said, have each formed a joint venture in which a Namibian-owned company, Titan Oil and Gas, holds a minority share of five percent.
Minister Alweendo thus pointed out that Titan was not awarded a license, in both cases, the licenses were issued to Eco Oil and Gas and Oranto Petroleum.
"We all know that petroleum exploration is a highly capital-intensive process, and most local companies are not able to raise the funds needed to carry out exploration on their own. We therefore encourage foreign companies to enter into joint ventures with local companies. How to identify local joint venture partners is entirely left to the foreign companies, and I have a role in it. It is, however, unreasonable to assume that just because a person is known to the minister, his or her participation is only on account of the minister's meddling influence."
He further informed the house that all applications are received by the Petroleum Commissioner.
To minimise the risk of collusion between the minister and commissioner, Alweendo said the ministry has instituted a Licensing Evaluation Committee to assist the commissioner in the evaluation of applications for licenses.