The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Association remains adamant that the proposed mining activity on one of the aquifers that contains abundant and precious water should not continue as planned by the Uranium One group.

The association presented their scientific findings through a geologist, Dr. Roy Miller, to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Economic, and Public Administration at Leonardiville in the Aminuis Constituency.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources says that the devastating increase in brown fur seals currently threatens the existence of fish stocks.

The committee raised this concern during a consultative meeting with stakeholders on the motion on the devastating increase in seal population on fish stocks in Namibia held at Walvis Bay. The Cape fur seal colony on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia is the biggest on the African coast, with a population of about 1.5 million seals eating about two million metric tonnes of fish per year.

Tensions ran high in the National Assembly as the House resumed its sessions this week.

The chambers of the House of Lawmaking were once again immersed in intense drama.

One of the points of contention emerged when a motion on same-sex marriage, originally slated for discussion on Tuesday, was reportedly unexpectedly removed and rescheduled by Speaker Professor Peter Katjavivi.

This decision immediately sparked backlash from Swapo MP Jerry Ekandjo, the initiator of the motion, who argued against its withdrawal, stating that the motion should proceed as planned.

Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources have proposed the enactment of legislation that would grant Epangelo Mining Company the authority to hold a stake in all mining agreements in Namibia, similar to the role played by NAMCOR in representing the state in petroleum agreements.

Established in 2008, Epangelo Mining is a state-owned enterprise responsible for exploring and mining natural resources on behalf of the government.

Initially, the company held 40 exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs), but the number has since decreased to 10.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Tjekero Tweya, is of the view that if the existing laws passed in parliament are deemed inadequate, it is necessary to enhance and strengthen them.

Tweya also emphasised the importance of engaging in a comprehensive, honest, and constructive dialogue about the management of natural resources in Namibia.

Tweya made these remarks during the opening of a six-day workshop focusing on the mining and energy sectors.