Shortage of petrol drives talk of oil refinery

THE Managing Director of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) says Namibia needs to explore the possibility of having its own petroleum refinery.

Martin Heita was reacting to recent complaints about a shortage of petrol in the North, especially over Christmas and New Year. “The shortage of fuel over the festive season is a clear indication that the country needs to develop a local petroleum industry,” Heita told The Namibian this week.He said Namibia buys 90 per cent of its petroleum requirements from South Africa while the rest comes from the Middle East and elsewhere.Before he joined Nored, Heita was Director of Energy in the Ministry of Mines and Energy.The Petroleum Commissioner in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Immanuel Mulunga, said any business wanting to set up an oil refinery in Namibia was welcome, but Government could not do so as it was not allowed to venture into business.Mulunga cautioned that setting up an oil refinery was a risk, as Namibia was a small market.”It is a complicated thing.Namibia is a small market and you might need to export your products,” he said.The Walvis Bay Town Council has set aside land for an oil refinery near Dune 7, although it is not clear when the plan will come to fruition.”The shortage of fuel over the festive season is a clear indication that the country needs to develop a local petroleum industry,” Heita told The Namibian this week. He said Namibia buys 90 per cent of its petroleum requirements from South Africa while the rest comes from the Middle East and elsewhere. Before he joined Nored, Heita was Director of Energy in the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Petroleum Commissioner in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Immanuel Mulunga, said any business wanting to set up an oil refinery in Namibia was welcome, but Government could not do so as it was not allowed to venture into business. Mulunga cautioned that setting up an oil refinery was a risk, as Namibia was a small market. “It is a complicated thing. Namibia is a small market and you might need to export your products,” he said. The Walvis Bay Town Council has set aside land for an oil refinery near Dune 7, although it is not clear when the plan will come to fruition.