Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula is questioning the awarding of long-term concessions at Namibia’s ports, raising concerns over Namibian Ports Authority’s (Namport) future revenue, operations and protection of local jobs.
Kalangula is demanding answers from works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi and for him to provide details of all active, awarded and pending concessions at the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
He specifically wants details of private concessionaires, concession periods, lease fees and targeted cargo volumes.
The questions follow the awarding of a 25-year concession to Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN), a subsidiary of MSC, to operate container-handling services at Walvis Bay’s new container terminal.
“What revenue-generating and marine services remain under Namport’s direct management, including tugboat operations, pilotage, dredging and bulk-liquid handling, and how will concession fees contribute towards Namport’s capital debt while allowing the port authority to maintain sustainable dividends to the state?” he asks.
Kalangula further wants details on job-retention guarantees, local-content requirements and protection against retrenchments or downgraded employment contracts under the TiN agreement.
He further seeks clarity on how Namport monitors concessionaires and protects local logistics companies from excessive tariffs.
Nekundi is expected to respond next week.
