The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, refuted claims that the Green Hydrogen project is being developed in secrecy.

He says the government will continue to engage and share information related to the project so that everyone remains up-to-date with its developments. 

With the recent discoveries of oil and gas in the country, the Ministry of Mines and Energy is working hard to ensure that the resources are safeguarded and that policies are put in place so that all Namibians can benefit from them.

Speaking at the National Stakeholders Workshop on the Draft Local Content Policy in the capital, the Minister of Mines and Energy emphasised that inclusivity and transparency should be some of the key guiding points when drafting the policy.

Namibia could capitalize on its existing bilateral agreements with Angola to acquire the skills and lessons it needs to fast-track the development of its oil industry.

Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo says such a move would boost the economies of both nations.

Angola is an oil-producing country with ample experience built up over the years.

Following recent oil discoveries, Namibia, as a potential oil producer, will tap into Angola's expertise by collaborating in areas including skills development.

Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo has reiterated that all natural resources belong to Namibians and need to be harnessed in order to benefit all.

Alweendo said this during an open discussion on the discovery of oil and gas in the ||Kharas Region.

Alweendo was responding to questions and comments during the meeting with regional leaders, traditional authorities, captains of industry, and the general public on the discovery of nearly 500 million barrels of oil in the region.

The Namibian government will continue to encourage and support local investors to actively participate in the energy sector.

This was reiterated by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, at an information-sharing session at Keetmanshoop on the discovery of oil in the ||Kharas Region.

Alweendo says the discovery of oil offshore the Namibian southern coast—estimated at between 300 and 400 million barrels—and its successful development hold direct and indirect benefits for Namibians.

Residents of Omatjete Settlement and surrounding villages in the Daures Constituency have joined in the fray to get the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to keenly look into dealings of small-scale mines and license holders.

At the community meeting with the minister, they argued that some mines are not only illegal but are also not assisting locals to benefit from the natural resources mined there.

The residents stressed how Chinese-owned mining companies mistreat locals despite the millions of dollars they are collecting in revenue.

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.

Landless People's Movement (LPM) Leader Bernadus Swaartbooi has appealed to the Mines and Energy Minister to consider criminal prosecution against Xinfeng Investment and the Environmental Commissioner over the alleged illegal mining operations near Uis. 

Swaartbooi says if Minister Tom Alweendo's investigation into the allegations reveals that there has been falsification of documents or a breach of law, then the two parties must be prosecuted. 

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, says there is a need to create an environment where Namibians can have local ownership of investment in the mining and petroleum sectors.

Alweendo was speaking at the Debmarine Stakeholder Breakfast Meeting in Windhoek today.

He explained that in order for Namibians to benefit economically from these sectors, it is necessary to first determine where the resources are located (exploration).

Namibia's economic and social future was the focus of a two-day conference that was held in Windhoek and organized by the Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance.

The conference was an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to help Namibia achieve sustainable economic and social development.