The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, in its oversight visits to aquaculture projects of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, disclosed that fish production faces seasonal constraints due to the absence of greenhouse plastic covers, limiting the capacity for year-round fish production.

Hilaria Mukapuli presented the findings in the National Assembly, exposing fundamental hurdles that urgently require attention for the country to strengthen its position in aquaculture.

Kunene Governor Marius Sheya says the region's abundant natural resources are currently underutilised.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with the German delegation and local businesspeople in Outjo, Sheya emphasised that Kunene is open to investors across various sectors.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration called on fishing companies to sell fish at an affordable price in order for Namibians to enjoy their natural resources.

Natangwe Ithete made this call during the two-day consultative and oversight workshop on the Financial Institutions and Markets Act, held in Swakopmund.

Fishing is one of Namibia's leading industries, consistently contributing around three percent to the country's GDP since 2007 and accounting for about 20% of export earnings.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, in its engagement with GIZ, the German Agency for International Development, has declined a virtual presentation by Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe.

The committee had an engagement with GIZ management and consultants on the rollout of green hydrogen, and Mnyupe was to give a presentation on the program he is heading from State House.

Mnyupe is currently on a work assignment in Japan and wanted to do his presentation online, but the Committee would rather wait for him to return and do it in person.

Industry stakeholders in Namibia have called for the recall of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA), citing its Canadian origins as the reason for its inability to meet the needs of the local environment. 

The proposed law, which requires compulsory 75% preservation of retirement benefits for people who withdraw from their retirement funds before the prescribed early retirement age of 55 years was supposed to take effect on 1st October last year, however, it was put on ice following public outcry.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources says it is shocked that the government has no shares in some mines.

The committee visited three of the Otjozondjupa Region's six mines.

The MP's first visit was to the Cheetah Cement Plant.

90% of Whale Rock Cheetah Cement Factory is owned by two Chinese companies based in the Orient, while the other 10% is owned by a local company.

The mine's General Manager, Yuhui Shao, spoke through an interpreter.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says Namibia should ensure optimal value for its natural resources such as diamonds to increase revenue, create jobs and reduce poverty.

The Premier said this during her first visit to Namib Desert Diamonds.

The Premiere says as Namibia continues to ensure price discovery for its diamonds, the high returns from the mineral will improve the well-being of citizens as well as create space for individuals outside the sector to benefit.  

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources says it will recommend the speedy implementation of phase II of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Project.

The project's Phase II includes the development of 5,000 hectares of land for crop irrigation.

A Standing Committee member, Efraim Nekongo, said this during the committee's visit to the Neckartal Dam near Keetmanshoop in ||Kharas Region as part of its oversight function.

The government remains committed to ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.

This was said by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, during the handover of ten rehabilitated boreholes for rural communities in the Berseba Constituency.

Shifeta said the persistent drought caused by low rainfall as a result of climate change continues to affect rural communities negatively.