Kawana: Invest on Namibia's terms
The acting Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources says locals should also benefit from investments in industries.
Investment in Namibia must be done on a win-win basis so investors and the country can both benefit.
The acting Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Albert Kawana, said this while addressing a stakeholder engagement meeting of the fishing industry organised by the ministry in Lüderitz on Friday.
“If investors' proposal is not based on win-win, they should go invest somewhere else. They must invest on our terms. We must ensure that the fishing and other industries such as mining and tourism remain in the hands of Namibia.”
According to Kawana it is regrettable that the fishing industry is dominated by foreigners at the expense of Namibians, a situation he said must change.
Kawana noted that locals, especially women and the youth, should benefit from resources as per Article 100 of the Namibian Constitution, which deals with sovereign ownership of natural resources.
“Namibians should dominate the industry. Foreigners are supposed to impact Namibians with the much needed skills. We must make sure that the fishing industry emerges victorious, continues to create employment and contributes to the economic and social development of this country.”
Touching on the ‘Fishrot’ scandal, Kawana said what happened, happened, and it is now time for Namibians to allow justice to take its course. “Investigations are ongoing. We have to move on. We cannot shy away from our responsibility and we must not allow this industry to be captured.”
Former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau, and Minister of Justice, Sacky Shanghala, stand accused of allegedly receiving bribes for giving preferential access to Namibia’s rich fishing grounds to Samherji, one of Iceland’s largest fishing companies.
The politicians and their co-accused allegedly pocketed at least N$150 million dollars in kickbacks in the process.
Kawana further said the fishing industry is one of the top contributors to the Namibian economy, with close to 36 000 shareholders and nearly 16 000 employees. He wishes to see the number of employees double in the near future.
Stakeholders at the meeting pleaded with Kawana and the government to save the fishing industry as it is the only industry that brings employment and economic development to Lüderitz.
The meeting was attended by representatives of unions, fishing companies and fishermen. - NAMPA
The acting Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Albert Kawana, said this while addressing a stakeholder engagement meeting of the fishing industry organised by the ministry in Lüderitz on Friday.
“If investors' proposal is not based on win-win, they should go invest somewhere else. They must invest on our terms. We must ensure that the fishing and other industries such as mining and tourism remain in the hands of Namibia.”
According to Kawana it is regrettable that the fishing industry is dominated by foreigners at the expense of Namibians, a situation he said must change.
Kawana noted that locals, especially women and the youth, should benefit from resources as per Article 100 of the Namibian Constitution, which deals with sovereign ownership of natural resources.
“Namibians should dominate the industry. Foreigners are supposed to impact Namibians with the much needed skills. We must make sure that the fishing industry emerges victorious, continues to create employment and contributes to the economic and social development of this country.”
Touching on the ‘Fishrot’ scandal, Kawana said what happened, happened, and it is now time for Namibians to allow justice to take its course. “Investigations are ongoing. We have to move on. We cannot shy away from our responsibility and we must not allow this industry to be captured.”
Former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau, and Minister of Justice, Sacky Shanghala, stand accused of allegedly receiving bribes for giving preferential access to Namibia’s rich fishing grounds to Samherji, one of Iceland’s largest fishing companies.
The politicians and their co-accused allegedly pocketed at least N$150 million dollars in kickbacks in the process.
Kawana further said the fishing industry is one of the top contributors to the Namibian economy, with close to 36 000 shareholders and nearly 16 000 employees. He wishes to see the number of employees double in the near future.
Stakeholders at the meeting pleaded with Kawana and the government to save the fishing industry as it is the only industry that brings employment and economic development to Lüderitz.
The meeting was attended by representatives of unions, fishing companies and fishermen. - NAMPA
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