Namibia expects firmer estimates of recoverable reserves to be announced this financial year and aid in addressing socio-economic challenges such as unemployment.
President Nangolo Mbumba, who delivered the State of the Nation Address this afternoon, says this follows oil exploration activities by international companies in 2023.
President Nangolo Mbumba has assured the citizens that the government will continue to strengthen policy measures aimed at fighting corruption.
President Mbumba says this is in line with the government's clear resolve to promote accountability and transparency.
He opened the first decision-making Cabinet meeting for the year and shared that citizens have expressed concerns regarding corruption in the budding energy sector.
The Forum for German-speaking Namibians says the late President Hage Geingob must be credited for his efforts to restore investor confidence.
The Forum, in a message of condolences, says President Geingob was personally responsible for international multinational companies in the green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors in Namibia.
It also says the late President preferred to be President for all and requested all Namibians to take up their rightful places in the Namibian House.
The green hydrogen programme is seen as a game changer in Namibia's quest for economic recovery and inclusive growth.
The chairperson of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council, Obeth Kandjoze, revealed that the green hydrogen initiative has so far created employment for about 500 people.
Over 80 percent of those currently employed in the green hydrogen sector are from marginalised communities, while over 30 local SMEs have been deployed across green hydrogen programmes.
The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, says substantive efforts are underway to revive and propel Vision 2030.
Kandjoze, who was speaking at the President's media briefing on Monday, acknowledged that significant setbacks, due to unmet obligations and challenges, are experienced to achieve the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.
The vision, conceived in 2004, aims to transform Namibia into a fully developed and industrialised nation, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
The new hydrogen project at Dâures Green Hydrogen Village plans to become the largest food producer in Namibia.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Jerome Namaseb, says the project will set up a one-hectare greenhouse facility that will produce 500 to 600 tonnes of agricultural produce throughout the year.
The Dâures Green Hydrogen Village is based in the Dâures, a constituency of approximately 11,000 inhabitants.
The project has the ambition to produce 31 metric tonnes of hydrogen and 109 metric tonnes of ammonia per year during the first phase.
Heads of Mission accredited to Namibia outlined the areas of cooperation they intend to pursue during their tenure.
Private sector collaboration in the industries of oil, gas, green hydrogen, and education has been listed as a priority area for the new Heads of Mission accredited to Namibia.
Twelve new diplomats presented their letters of credence and commission to President Hage Geingob at State House.
The Opuwo Urban Constituency Councillor, Ueutjerevi Ngunaihe, has expressed dissatisfaction over the criteria set for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship programme. Ngunaihe, who was speaking at the information sharing session conducted by the Southern Africa Science Services Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) in Opuwo, stated that the set standards' disadvantage marginalised residents of the Kunene Region.
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.
