RP sees oil bill as anti-corruption tool

The Republican Party (RP) has backed the petroleum amendment bill transferring oil and gas authority to the Presidency, citing transparency, while divisions persist among opposition parties.

The bill, which is currently at the committee stage and is set to resume after the passing of the appropriation bill, seeks to transfer authority over the oil and gas sector from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the Presidency.

Responding to questions by The Namibian RP president Henk Mudge says his party supports the bill. This comes after RP vice president Mathias Mbundu’s initial disapproval of the bill.

“Following a meeting of the RP management, we have requested Mbundu to retract his initial statement during the second reading debate in which he sided with other opposition parties who are against the petroleum bill. We are in support of the arguments in favour of the bill,” he says.

Mudge says the RP is confident that the president will ensure transparency in developments within the oil and petroleum industry, while preventing corruption and favouritism.

However, the party wants to see authority over the sector transferred back to either the mines ministry or to a new ministry led by a minister with trustworthy officials.

The RP is the second opposition party to support the bill after the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF).

However, the NEFF had said while the president should have the final say, the ministry should still manage the technical evaluation and compliance processes.

The party believes this move is a step towards economic liberation.

Other opposition parties, however, argue that the bill increases the risk of corruption and reduces parliamentary oversight.

Deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, in her contribution, said the decision is not only prudent but also not unprecedented, as it is common practice for states to place nationally significant resources under their direct supervision She said this safeguards against the risks associated with the oil and gas sector if it is not properly managed.

She added that the decision will help prevent corruption, which is often associated with new resource discoveries in many countries, noting that Namibia is no exception. She emphasised the importance of mechanisms to regulate the sector to ensure it benefits all Namibians.

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