Windhoek — Namibia’s controversial Petroleum Amendment Bill has passed its second reading in parliament, advancing despite opposition over concerns about transparency, accountability and presidential control of the energy sector.
The bill proposes establishing a new petroleum regulatory authority within the presidency, a move critics argue could weaken oversight and concentrate power. The government, however, maintains that the proposed structure will speed up decision-making while preserving necessary checks and balances.
The legislation has become a major test for President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has championed the reforms as part of her regulatory agenda. Opposition lawmakers previously walked out of parliamentary debates in protest against the bill’s current form.
The bill will now undergo a clause-by-clause review by parliamentary committees before returning to the National Assembly for final approval.
Namibia, considered a major global oil exploration hotspot, is targeting its first oil production around 2030. However, the ruling party’s slim parliamentary majority and internal divisions could complicate the bill’s passage.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Nyasha Nyaungwa
Writing: Wendell Roelf
Editing: Sfundo Parakozov &Jan Harvey
