The Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy has highlighted that placing upstream petroleum under the Presidency's Upstream Petroleum Unit is a strategic move aimed at safeguarding Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector.
Local content should be treated as an economic development strategy and not simply as a regulatory requirement.
Four hundred youths operating in oil and gas fields have benefitted from the PetroFund flagship programme.
The programme is aimed at imparting skills to Namibians to allow them to venture into the sector and not rely on international expertise.
Namibians must equip themselves with skills needed for emerging industries such as nuclear energy, oil and gas, green hydrogen and critical minerals.
The 4th edition of the Oil and Gas conference and exhibition prioritises the beneficiation of ordinary Namibians.
The conference, which will take place from the 18th to the 20th of August, aims to address the economic and social impact of the industry.
Namibia is at a critical stage in its emerging oil and gas sector, with billions of dollars in potential investment and job creation opportunities at stake.
This was the view of officials at the inaugural National Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers Workshop hosted by Petrofund.
The Upstream Petroleum Unit has clarified that positioning the Unit under the Presidency is a deliberate and strategic decision aimed at enhancing governance within Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector.
Special advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, Kornelia Shilunga, acknowledged the media's role in spotlighting Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector.
The Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, has called on Namibia to take bold, decisive steps toward energy independence and economic transformation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Resources, Travis Smithard, said that Namibia's decision to elevate the petroleum sector within government structures has strengthened investor confidence.
