The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called fuel prices for April “an assault” on ordinary Namibians.
Minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse on Friday announced that the price of petrol would increase by N$2.50 per litre and diesel by N$4 per litre on 1 April.
IPC shadow minister Ferdinand Hengombe says the price increase is unacceptable and contradicts previous statements made by the government on having fuel reserves.
“A strategic fuel reserve is meant to shield the nation, not serve as a talking point while citizens suffer at the pumps.
“The latest fuel price increase is not just an economic adjustment, it is a direct assault on already struggling Namibians,” Hengombe says in a statement released on Friday.
He says increasing the price of fuel would immediately increase transport costs, leading to higher food prices and increasing economic hardship.
Hengombe calls on Amutse to explain who controls the 90-day fuel reserve, why it isn’t being used, and what measures the government is putting in place to protect citizens.
At Friday’s press conference, Amutse said Namibia currently has sufficient fuel supply and is working with fuel importers to maintain a steady schedule of imports.
However, the war in the Middle East that has shut a major oil supply route, together with increased shipping and insurance costs, has driven up the price of importing fuel for Namibia.
In March, petrol import costs increased by 57% while the cost of importing diesel more than doubled.
“At this stage, there are no supply disruptions affecting Namibia. The risk we are managing is primarily price related, not availability related,” Amutse said.
The minister announced that the Cabinet had approved a 50% cut in fuel levies from April to June 2026.
In addition, the government will cover N$500 million of the increased cost of importing fuel through the National Energy Fund to avoid passing the full cost on to consumers.
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