IMELDA AMBONDO
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel says the proposed amendments to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Amendment Bill, which seeks to give control of the upstream section of the oil and gas to President Netumbo Nandi -Ndaitwah should be supported.
She told parliament on Wednesday that oil and gas are strategic national resources that must be controlled under the Presidency.
Daniel said petroleum directly affects Namibia’s national security, economic stability and foreign relations and requires oversight from the highest executive level to ensure coordinated and decisive leadership.
“It is very critical and important that this Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill falls under the Presidency because petroleum is a strategic national resource that directly affects national security, economic stability and foreign relations,” she said.
Daniel explained that keeping the sector under the Presidency improves policy coordination, speeds up major investment decisions and strengthens investor confidence by providing clear and stable authority. She added that it ensures direct political accountability, as the President is constitutionally mandated to protect national resources on behalf of the people.
“This is not about centralising power, but about safeguarding national interest, ensuring efficiency, and providing strong leadership in managing a resource that will shape the country’s future,” she said.
She pointed out that under Article 30 of the Constitution, the President is both Head of State and Head of Government, while Article 32 gives the President powers to direct and coordinate the work of government, appoint ministers, represent Namibia internationally, negotiate agreements and ensure that laws are implemented while protecting national interests.
Daniel said petroleum exploration and production involve international negotiations with multinational companies, coordination between ministries such as Finance, Environment, Energy and Justice, strategic economic planning and protection of national resources.“The Amendment Bill does not create new power outside the Constitution. It simply aligns a strategic national sector with the office that already holds executive responsibility under the Constitution,” she said.
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