Shoki Kandjimi
RUNDU – Chairperson of the Kavango East Farmers Union Adolf Muremi says they have mixed feelings about the ongoing oil and gas exploration by a Canadian company at Kawe village. Recon Africa started drilling activities at the Kavango East village last week Thursday.
Muremi said he was particularly concerned about the impact the exploration process would have on the water and plantation in the area. “To me, the underground water is at risk. They have cleared Mbambi for example. It is a very big space.
They say that they are not going to cut trees. Go and take a look at Mbambi. A very big area has been cleared. So that has already started affecting the environment,” Muremi said during a consultative meeting held at Rundu on Friday.
The meeting was facilitated by environmental consultant Sindila Mwiya. Muremi further indicated that as the farmer’s union they needed to see the documentation that will enable them to hold Recon Africa accountable should the discovery of oil and gas become a reality.
However, Recon Africa through its environment specialist indicated that the company followed all the environmental laws and regulations locally and internationally.
Muremi maintained they are not happy with the way everything is unfolding and was equally concerned about the consultations that were not sufficient to make them understand thoroughly how this project will be executed.
He was quick to point out that they were not against development.
“As farmers, we are not happy with how the whole thing is unfolding. No one is against development, we want development to be there, but it should not be at the expense of the people,” Muremi said.
In addition, Muremi urged the petroleum company to decentralise its consultation meetings to the affected areas and that it should be done in the vernacular languages for people to understand.