TIRI MASAWI
President Netumbo Nandi -Ndaitwah has moved in to strengthen grip and control on the management of the oil and gas industry in Namibia.
This follows an announcement by Interim Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Frans Kapofi to amend the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act.
Kapofi notified parliament on the plans for amending the Act on Wednesday.
Nandi NdaItwah earlier in the year moved the upstream unit of the petroleum industry under her control.
Initially the oil and gas industry was managed under the ministry of Mines and energy.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the decision was meant to enhance transparency , improve management of the sector and allow the country to learn the important facts of the ‘new sector’.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday Kapofi said the envisaged amendment aims to transfer certain powers from the Commissioner for Petroleum Affairs to the Deputy Director-General, Upstream Petroleum Unit in the President’s Office.
“ I shall move that lead be given to amend the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, 1991, so as to delete, amend and define certain expressions, provide for the transfer of certain powers from the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to the President, provide for the transfer of certain powers from the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to the Director-General, Upstream Petroleum Unit in the office of the President, provide for the transfer of powers from the Commissioner for Petroleum Affairs to the Deputy Director-General, Upstream Petroleum Unit, provide for the establishment, objects and functions of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the office of the President” Kapofi said.
Kapofi added that , “ The amendment will provide for the powers, duties and functions of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General, define or further define certain expressions and provide for (matters incidental thereto. I shall move, Honourable Speaker,’ he said
In May Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Kornelia Shilunga as Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, and Carlo Lord Muhamed McLeod as Special Advisor and Deputy Head of the Unit.
“Pursuant to Article 32 (3) (i) (hh) of the Namibian Constitution, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Ms. Kornelia Shilunga as Special Advisor and Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit and Mr. Carlo Lord Muhamed McLeod as Special Advisor and Deputy Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency. The appointments are with immediate effect,” the Namibian Presidency explained.
The two Special Advisors possess extensive experience in policy and the petroleum industry, the Presidency said then.
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