Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the low attendance during a Hyphen Hydrogen Energy stakeholder engagement at the Nkurenkuru Expo Hall.
Sinimbo pointed out the numerous empty chairs and said such events are crucial for informing Namibians about government initiatives and potential economic opportunities.
“We expected this hall to be filled by unemployed youth,” the governor said, questioning why invitations were not more widely extended.
She further said the meeting is more than just an industrial initiative and is a step towards inclusive economic transformation that could create long-term employment in the Kavango West region.
Stressing the national significance, Sinimbo referenced president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s vision of creating employment opportunities for youth and supporting small and medium enterprises.
“The green hydrogen project was positioned as a key strategy in Namibia’s transition to renewable energy and a potential catalyst for Africa’s green industrial revolution,” said Sinimbo.
Hyphen senior economic development manager for procurement Johannes Shipepe highlighted hydrogen as a game-changer for Namibia’s economy.
He said the sector has the power to create thousands of jobs and signals that the country is on the right path towards driving its industrial future.
“Notably, the project emphasises local employment, with 23 of its 25 current team members being Namibian nationals. The initiative is expected to generate 50 000 jobs during construction and 3 000 permanent positions during operations,” said Shipepe.
He stated that beyond export potential, the project would provide additional benefits to local communities, including excess water and electricity supply to nearby towns and farms, addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
Nkurenkuru mayor Jafet Muti expressed his excitement, saying he was pleased to learn more about the socio-economic development framework of the project.
“From job creation and skills development to infrastructure improvements and entrepreneurship support, this project has the potential to uplift lives and stimulate sustainable economic growth,” said Muti.
– Nampa
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