Staff Reporter
THE Namibian President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, categorically denies, without any reservation, any suggestion or allegation that she or her family members have any stake or interest in the Namibian oil and gas sector.
The President said she is compelled to respond to what she termed misleading allegations published online and in print media about her family’s alleged “control of the oil and gas industry.”
“With respect to the Namibian article headlined ‘President under fire for ‘family oil interest’’, written by Mr Eliaser Ndeyanale and Mr Martin Endjala, as well as the allegations attributed to Ms Jemima Beukes, I state categorically and without reservation that my children have no interests, direct or indirect, in the oil and gas sector.
“I therefore require that the journalist concerned retract the statement and issue a public apology, or, in the alternative, present credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations,” the President said.
She added that, for the record, her children, like any Namibian citizen, have the full and equal right to participate in the country’s economy within the confines of the laws of the Republic of Namibia.
“They do so to contribute to national development, the well-being of our people, and their own lawful livelihoods. We will not be faulted for exercising this right as long as it is done within the confines of the law,” Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded.
Photo: Namibian Presidency
