Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eino Vatileni
Published on 2024-03-12 17:52:58
The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, has been under scrutiny for allegedly corruptly awarding petroleum licenses to close friends. These allegations surfaced after a letter shared on social media claimed maladministration and corruption in the mines ministry, supposedly representing shareholders of French multinational, TotalEnergies.
Alweendo has denied these accusations, stating that the letter in question does not appear legitimate, as the oil company mentioned was unable to confirm receiving it. The allegations included claims of corrupt appointments in the ministry and favoritism towards a specific company in its oil block application process.
Recently, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) deputy leader, Henny Seibeb, raised concerns about another social media article suggesting that a friend of Alweendo had been awarded a 5% interest in a petroleum exploration license. Seibeb highlighted their acquaintance since 2017, prompting further questions on the matter.
Addressing these concerns in parliament, Alweendo vehemently rejected any accusations of corruption on his part. He emphasized his strong stance against corrupt practices and affirmed his commitment to upholding integrity in his role as a minister. Alweendo clarified the process of awarding petroleum licenses, stating that the minister does not handle applications directly, but they are evaluated and recommended by the petroleum commissioner and a Licensing Evaluation Committee to ensure transparency and accountability.
Detailing specific cases, Alweendo explained that licenses were awarded to Eco Oil and Oranto Petroleum, not the company allegedly connected to his friend. He emphasized the impartial evaluation process followed in these decisions and encouraged joint ventures between local and foreign companies to enhance the sector’s growth and development.
Alweendo highlighted his track record of promoting good governance and zero tolerance for corruption, citing his tenure at the Bank of Namibia as an example. He reiterated his commitment to combating corruption and ensuring that the country’s petroleum sector is managed ethically for the benefit of all Namibians.
In conclusion, Alweendo called for collective efforts to safeguard the integrity of the petroleum sector and ensure equitable distribution of economic benefits. He emphasized the importance of transparent and fair practices in the management of natural resources for the nation’s overall prosperity.
As the nation grapples with these allegations, it is crucial to uphold principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance to foster trust and confidence in the management of critical sectors like mining and energy. Alweendo’s unequivocal denial of corruption charges and his commitment to upholding integrity serve as a reminder of the importance of ethical leadership in public office.
Read the original article on The Namibian
