KEETMANSHOOP – Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse recently visited the //Kharas region, where he among others said locals must benefit more from natural resources found there.
During a courtesy call on //Kharas governor Dawid Gertze, he highlighted the government’s serious intention of decentralising more economic activities to strengthen the fiscal balance.
“It is known that the region, although being endowed with various precious minerals, needs to really turn the attention to adding value to these resources,’’ Amutse said.
The minister then called on small miners to work more closely with those exporting the minerals to process it here for value addition. “There is furthermore a need for the robust implementation of programmes that stimulate more local participation in the economic mainstream of Namibia,’’ the politician emphasised.
Amutse continued: “Governments do not want a situation of creating opportunities for investors whilst our locals are just playing the role of onlookers as un/low-skilled labourers; they should start to take ownership of such opportunities.”
In terms of granting Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs), Amutse urged miners, as beneficiaries, to make optimal use of them and contribute to the country’s economic development, or face the risk of the licences being taken away and awarded to more serious beneficiaries. When turning the attention to access to electricity, he said, “The government is working around the clock to ensure that 70% of the population will have access by 2030; hence, it will make more space available to energy producers and further increase the budget for its provision accordingly.”
Amutse also called on stakeholders from the private and public sectors to join hands and identify all grey areas in their respective industries and address them accordingly.
Gertze, in his contribution, said the South has much to offer and that through engagements and interventions, value can be added to it. “We should also share information and ideas on how to best implement more economic development activities guided by NDP6,” said Gertze.
