President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia should move towards a nuclear power plant and identify potential partnerships to accomplish this goal.
Speaking during a visit to Rössing Uranium Mine last week, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia needs a mix of reliable energy and clean energy to grow our economy and take our people out of poverty.
“Nuclear energy is essential, and the government will make an effort to make sure the environment is conducive to the mining sector’s flourishing,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She also said the mining sector should do more to offer sustainable and quality jobs, scholarships, job attachments, training, internships, and funds for young entrepreneurs that can empower our youth and help them build sustainable futures.
Speaking during a visit to Rössing Uranium Mine last week, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the mining industry must look after their workers regarding living wage, accommodation, health care, and pension, enabling them to live dignified lives after their productive lives have ended.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further said mining transforms the livelihoods of our people by becoming the bedrock on which we can build an industrial and manufacturing base through value addition and beneficiation.
“We want mining companies to invest in the potential of our youth and the local economies where they operate. We can only sustainably uplift communities if we create sustainable and skilled jobs to uplift and strengthen our communities and economy. That can only happen if the mining industry responds positively to the government’s call to add value to the natural resources in our country,” she said.
The President also urged the mining sector to invest in other sectors of the economy by empowering their entrepreneurial workers to grow the economy and create jobs.
She commended Rössing Uranium management for leadership and resilience during the difficult years of the mine, including maintaining the production capacity and sustaining your employees.
Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the extension of the life of the mine from 2027 to 2036 and its long-term viability, saying it aligns with the government’s initiative to add value to sustain development.
“This mine has maintained corporate social responsibility by caring for the surrounding communities and practising sustainable safety operations,” she said.
