Power crunch a challenge for industrial development

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has called on the Erongo business community to work together with Government in addressing the challenges posed by the current energy crisis in southern Africa.

Pohamba and a panel of ministers met the Walvis Bay branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) on Friday. “Government is seriously looking into the effects of the power shortage in our country.There are advanced plans to develop power generation projects; I therefore ask the private sector to join hands and address the regional problem,” Pohamba said.He said Government and the private sector should consider alternative sources of energy including appropriate technologies that are less capital intensive.”After all, the more the country becomes industrialised and developed, the more it will need power and energy,” said Pohamba.He said Government was committed to promoting industrial peace in order to ensure higher productivity and create wealth and prosperity.”Development cannot just come from the Government though; the public sector is a main player in development,” he stated.”We need to work together to create wealth and employment through creating a viable economy.””Government is seriously looking into the effects of the power shortage in our country.There are advanced plans to develop power generation projects; I therefore ask the private sector to join hands and address the regional problem,” Pohamba said.He said Government and the private sector should consider alternative sources of energy including appropriate technologies that are less capital intensive.”After all, the more the country becomes industrialised and developed, the more it will need power and energy,” said Pohamba.He said Government was committed to promoting industrial peace in order to ensure higher productivity and create wealth and prosperity.”Development cannot just come from the Government though; the public sector is a main player in development,” he stated.”We need to work together to create wealth and employment through creating a viable economy.”