By Eric Mhunduru

Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the ownership issue of Namibia’s natural resources is non-negotiable.

Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that the country’s resources belong to Namibians naturally and constitutionally.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said this when she officially opened the 11th Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek today.

She called for a clear law to protect that ownership, attract investments, and benefit Namibians.

“There is a public discussion now about who owns the natural resources in Namibia. Fellow Namibians, the issue of ownership of our natural resources is non-negotiable. It is very clear the natural resources belong to the Namibian people. Naturally and constitutionally, it is our resources,”remarked Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that Namibia should benefit from the downstream value chain activities, such as developing technologies in critical sectors such as energy production.

“It is mining that will also help us to bring up our strategic sector, namely agriculture because even the fertilisers are linked to this, therefore the law must be developed as a matter of urgency, and it must be widely consulted and consensus should be reached”.

This year’s theme is “Green shoots for Namibia’s mining industry: A season of opportunity and growth to drive economic expansion.” The event saw 199 companies occupying 317 booths. 

Watch on oneafrica.tv, DStv or GOtv at 19h00 on Mondays to Fridays.

#newsonone #topstory #ndtc #oneafrica