Maria David
THE Green Hydrogen is set to play a major role in the transformation of the Namibian economy, as revealed by President Nangolo Mbumba during the opening of the Cabinet Meeting held on Tuesday.
According to Mbumba, its development is expected to stimulate further growth in adjacent industries, including logistics, agriculture, and sustainable manufacturing.
“This year, three Green Hydrogen pilot projects are due to start operations,” he said.
Furthermore, Mbumba indicated that they are also expecting the final announcements on Total Energies’ Venus-1, Shell’s Graff-1, and Jonker-IX oil blocks, these three blocks having a combined estimate of 2.5 billion barrels of oil.
Recently, Mbumba said Galp Energeia of Portugal, Custos Energy, and NAMCOR also announced new oil discoveries in the Mopane 2X well. “We want Namibians to actively participate and benefit from the unfolding economic boom.”
He added that the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, established to benefit citizens, including generations to come, will play a vital role in ensuring inter-generational equity.
“Some of our citizens have expressed concerns regarding corruption in the budding energy sector. Let me assure all Namibians that, in line with our Government’s clear resolve to promote accountability and transparency, we will continue to strengthen the policy measures aimed to fight against corruption,” he added.
Mbumba then called on law enforcement agencies, NAMPOL, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Judiciary, Parliament, the media, and all citizens to continue playing their respective roles to keep Namibia transparent and corruption-free.
He added that they want to maintain a conducive environment in which accountability and transparency thrive, and to prevent corruption from taking root, is a patriotic obligation for all Namibians.
Mbumba said during the brief tenure of his Presidency, he intends to fully uphold the Social Contract that our late President has entered into until March 2025, with the Namibian people. Likewise, and expect the Cabinet Ministers to support him in this regard and also to uphold the Social Contract until the end of his tenure in office.
He said that they should, therefore, serve the interests of all the people of Namibia and prioritize the timely execution of projects and programs.
Mbumba added that despite their advances and good economic prospects, much needs to be done. Consequently, individual Ministers should return to their offices and redouble efforts in conjunction with their deputies, Executive Directors, and staff to ensure that all issues and tasks in their Ministries are addressed and concluded without delay.
