EDITORIAL
Newly appointed minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse has given a clear hint on what his priorities at the ministry will be in the next few years.
He told the staff ministry on Monday that the government wants to see players in the mining sector playing a meaningful role in improving the lives of many Namibians.
Put bluntly, Amutse challenged mining companies to invest in tangible Corporate Social Investment programmes.
He wants to see meaningful contribution by the sector to Namibians.
The new minister feels the mining industry has somewhat been ‘cheating’ the government by under-declaring their profits.
His view takes a paradigm shift from his predecessor Natangue Ithete who was pushing for increased government equity.
From a face value, Amutse seems to be pushing for a practical solution to a long standing problem.
His push for better investment in the country’s social sectors including schools, hospitals, roads and many other projects is commendable.
While many were questioning his abilities to take on the ministry, Amutse seems to be well aware of what needs to be done and is keen to see results.
If the minister’s revelations that mining companies are ‘stealing’ from the government by underdeclaring profits, we have a bigger problem than we thought.
Perhaps there is a need for the mining chamber to come clean and answer these allegations.
Such revelations simply show that investors are not playing in good faith.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah believes that Namibians are too few to be poor.
That notion is true and needs urgent redress.
The only other way to deal with the glaring inequalities and poverty levels in Namibia is to make sure that the country’s natural resources are utilised in ways that improve the standards of living for all.
While Ithete’s idea of having the government play a role in the industry might not have been feasible, Amutse’s propositions are very reasonable.
The ideas are practical and the mining industry needs to play their part.
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