Uranium Will Contribute To Downfall Of Namibia

WE welcome the well-written article by Brigitte Weidlich entitled ‘Uranium: saving or sinking Namibia?’ (The Namibian, January 7).

Nuclear energy is such a crucial topic and the article succeeded in highlighting it. We undoubtedly should be discussing the energy problems of this country. However, the article appeared to lean towards the argument that uranium would be saving Namibia by not emphasizing the negatives of nuclear energy (e.g. the dangers).What was particularly noticeable was that the article is completely silent about the biggest drawback of nuclear energy, i.e. the tremendous cost. It is crucial for Namibians to know how much this nuclear power plant will cost. Could the Swapo government tell the people what the cost of this nuclear power plant would be? This would make it possible to evaluate the pros and cons of such huge expenditure in a realistic manner. After all, this is our country and our taxes. The Namibian people have the right to know if alternatives were considered and for what reasons the Swapo regime decided to opt for a nuclear power plant. There are many unanswered questions in the Weidlich article. It is not clear where exactly the nuclear power plant would be located. If it is going to be close to Henties Bay, certainly the community there should have some democratic voice in its management. It would also only be fair that the findings of the environmental impact study about constructing such a nuclear power plant should be made available. The Namibian people must be able to read such a crucial document themselves and so this must be released to the general public. We also wish to be informed about precisely where the radioactive waste would be stored. It is vital for communities to be aware of this if it is going to be done close to them. Our people most certainly expect not to wait until the cancer rates escalate in those communities before we admit to them about the radioactive waste. In addition, the Namibian people should hear about who will do the rehabilitation of the mines once the uranium is gone. We should be told about what government or the mining companies would do about the environmental destruction. And it is probably a reasonable assumption that, when the uranium is finished, the country would only then look at renewable sources of energy.We realize that Big Business is not interested in solar energy because they cannot make mega-profits from it. Nampower overcharges the people for energy at the moment and would not seek alternatives. In fact, Nampower is planning a coal-fired power plant in Walvis Bay to supply electricity to the uranium mines. We know that there are shortages and escalating costs of coal all over the world. Such a coal power plant pollutes the air and water. Therefore, Nampower should have a public meeting and discuss this with the people of Walvis Bay. That is how it should be in a democratic country. The Weidlich article briefly mentions that thousands of jobs could be created by the nuclear energy option. Surely, we should ask what kinds of jobs they are talking about. The jobs should be sustainable and should pay living wages; otherwise it is not worth being excited about. The article also refers to economic development in that region. Nevertheless, it is vital to question the kind of development that it would be. It is fine to boast about GDP but our people do not really get much from this development. The current form of development that only benefits the top 1% is really just exploitation of the Namibian people. Research done in the USA suggested that, since last year, renewable energy became less expensive than nuclear energy. Germany is investing heavily in solar energy in the Sahara desert and aims to have 100% renewable energy by 2030. India is also investing seriously in solar energy. It makes us wonder why Namibia is investing in nuclear energy. Namibia’s abundant sunlight makes it one of the best countries in the world to develop solar energy. And solar power can provide limitless energy. Most importantly, solar energy would allow us to protect and to live in harmony with mother earth. What will we say to our grandchildren one day when we have to explain the disused uranium mines, the old nuclear power plants when the uranium is gone, the tremendous environmental degradation and the mountains of radioactive waste? We should answer them honestly and admit that it was really about a few people making tons of money.We should hold the Swapo government accountable for the awful decisions that they make. This country does not belong to this regime but to the Namibian people. Swapo will not govern forever. In any case, the Swapo regime can fool the people at the moment but can never fool the environment. We should preserve the country for future generations. Uranium will contribute to the sinking of Namibia. K. Basson & T. IthembuKatutura