Oil discoveries hold promise of economic transformation – Kathindi

The oil discoveries in Namibia present a significant opportunity for the nation’s economic transformation and community upliftment, Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi says.

Kathindi was speaking on Wednesday during the public regional consultation meetings on the local content policy (LCP), hosted by the Upstream Petroleum Unit of the Office of the President at Omuthiya.

He said while Namibia may be small in population, careful management of its resources could secure prosperity for all.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure the oil and gas sector becomes a story of inclusion, empowerment and national pride, and not one of missed opportunities,” Kathindi said.

He further stressed that the LCP is not merely a regulatory framework, but a people’s policy designed to ensure Namibians are not bystanders but central actors in the oil and gas industry.

“It prioritises the employment of Namibians, the training of our youth, the development of local enterprises and the transfer of skills and technology. It opens the door for our small and medium enterprises, our entrepreneurs and even our informal traders to find their rightful place in this emerging sector,” he said.

Presidential special advisor and Upstream Petroleum Unit head Kornelia Shilunga says while the oil discovery creates new opportunities, it is only through careful planning, fair policies and putting Namibians first that this discovery can truly become a blessing for the nation.

Shilunga emphasises that the LCP sets clear rules and targets, requiring oil companies to be monitored, report on their progress and be held accountable.

“The government will ensure strict enforcement so that the promises translate into real benefits. We know too well from other countries that oil, if not managed well, can become a curse, where benefits are captured by the few, corruption thrives and communities are left behind,” she says.

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