Windhoek, February 18 – In a passionate address to the National Assembly, National Democratic Party (NDP) MP Hon. Martin Lukato Lukato cautioned that Namibia risks repeating the pitfalls of other oil-producing nations as Parliament debates the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill. Describing the legislation as “long overdue” given discoveries along Namibia’s coast and inland, Lukato stressed the need for strict safeguards to ensure oil becomes a national blessing rather than a curse.
Lukato highlighted two primary dangers: widening inequality and environmental devastation. He pointed to cases in Africa where oil profits have enriched ruling elites while impoverishing locals, with resources often smuggled out or exported without benefiting citizens. “The common people keep on wallowing in poverty as they have no access to the finished products and riches of oil,” he said, citing companies like Shell and British Petroleum for leaving polluted wastelands and neglected communities in their wake.
Drawing contrasts with the Arab world, where oil has spurred jobs and growth despite challenges, Lukato argued Namibia must learn from global lessons. He invoked the recent Fishrot scandal to demand a break from “business as usual,” insisting oil revenues could tackle youth unemployment if managed transparently. Local communities near oil wells, he emphasized, should benefit first, not “oil sharks” among politicians and cronies.
The NDP MP proposed four key amendments to the Bill:
– Place full oversight of petroleum operations under the Ministry of Mines and Energy, excluding the Office of the President to prevent corruption and ensure checks and balances.
– Require exploration researchers to brief all political parties and lawmakers jointly in Parliament for informed decision-making.
– Mandate thorough debate in both Houses to incorporate all inputs.
– Grant Namibians equity shares in petroleum resources, unlike the fishing quota system.
Lukato’s intervention underscores growing tensions in Namibia’s energy sector amid anticipated offshore production from giants like TotalEnergies and Shell. The Bill aims to refine exploration rules but opposition voices like his warn of repeating resource mismanagement seen elsewhere. Debate continues as Namibia eyes first oil flows potentially by 2028.
