We're not here to loot - Headsprings
Don't give us false hope, Nganate urges
"If it is not working, let us say that in one voice; and if it is working, let's say that as one Omaheke too," the governor said.
Omaheke Region governor Pijoo Nganate yesterday urged commercial farmers who are for and against the uranium in-situ mining currently in the pipeline for Leonardville to sit around a table and have a proper conversations instead of fighting each other.
Headspring Investments - a subsidiary of Uranium One, part of the Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom - has plans to conduct exploration drilling in the area.
Nganate told the company not to bring people of the area false hope and instead to deliver on all the promises it has made with regards to developing the village into an economic hub.
“We also have fears. People don’t want to give access to their farms because they are afraid. Now, let us sit around one table and confront these fears and these uncertainties.
"Let’s not fight in newspapers. If it is not working, let us say that in one voice; and if it is working, let's say that as one Omaheke too. Let's put our prejudices and emotions aside,” he said.
'Our people are hungry'
Nganate, who officiated the official opening of the Uranium One office at the village yesterday, said he is hopeful that the development will create jobs as unemployment is a major crisis in the region.
He also highlighted that any economic development in Leonardville will have positive spin-offs that will also uplift the neighbouring villages and communities.
“Our people are hungry. We have had catastrophic social issues and occasional fatalities and one such is the issue of malnutrition. Our region regrettably started to experience a surge in malnutrition cases and based on the register for inpatient admission, most children came from the informal settlements such as Kanaan, Freedom Square, Ozohambo (Otjinene) and Drimiopsis. If we have development here, children don’t have to die of poverty,” he said.
It was recently reported that 45 children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related conditions in Omaheke this year.
The governor also lamented the increase in stock theft, adding that the total value of stock stolen stands at N$5.8 million, while livestock worth only N$2.3 million has been recovered.
Not here to loot
Meanwhile, Headspring and Uranium One's director of mines Kirill Egorov-Kirillov said the office was built to prove to residents that they believe in the project and that they want to become a full member of the community.
He added that they don’t only see Leonardville as a place to draw benefit from through mining operations, but are excited to contribute to the upliftment and empowerment of farmers and community members.
“It should be clear to everyone by now that we are not here to loot any natural resources of this beautiful country, but we want to take hands with Namibians to work towards a better future.
"Even farmers have shown great growth as the mines have created great markets for their produce on the farmers’ doorsteps. We are 100% certain that our mining method is much more environmental friendly than any other mining method and this is confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he said.
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Headspring Investments - a subsidiary of Uranium One, part of the Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom - has plans to conduct exploration drilling in the area.
Nganate told the company not to bring people of the area false hope and instead to deliver on all the promises it has made with regards to developing the village into an economic hub.
“We also have fears. People don’t want to give access to their farms because they are afraid. Now, let us sit around one table and confront these fears and these uncertainties.
"Let’s not fight in newspapers. If it is not working, let us say that in one voice; and if it is working, let's say that as one Omaheke too. Let's put our prejudices and emotions aside,” he said.
'Our people are hungry'
Nganate, who officiated the official opening of the Uranium One office at the village yesterday, said he is hopeful that the development will create jobs as unemployment is a major crisis in the region.
He also highlighted that any economic development in Leonardville will have positive spin-offs that will also uplift the neighbouring villages and communities.
“Our people are hungry. We have had catastrophic social issues and occasional fatalities and one such is the issue of malnutrition. Our region regrettably started to experience a surge in malnutrition cases and based on the register for inpatient admission, most children came from the informal settlements such as Kanaan, Freedom Square, Ozohambo (Otjinene) and Drimiopsis. If we have development here, children don’t have to die of poverty,” he said.
It was recently reported that 45 children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related conditions in Omaheke this year.
The governor also lamented the increase in stock theft, adding that the total value of stock stolen stands at N$5.8 million, while livestock worth only N$2.3 million has been recovered.
Not here to loot
Meanwhile, Headspring and Uranium One's director of mines Kirill Egorov-Kirillov said the office was built to prove to residents that they believe in the project and that they want to become a full member of the community.
He added that they don’t only see Leonardville as a place to draw benefit from through mining operations, but are excited to contribute to the upliftment and empowerment of farmers and community members.
“It should be clear to everyone by now that we are not here to loot any natural resources of this beautiful country, but we want to take hands with Namibians to work towards a better future.
"Even farmers have shown great growth as the mines have created great markets for their produce on the farmers’ doorsteps. We are 100% certain that our mining method is much more environmental friendly than any other mining method and this is confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he said.
[email protected]
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