10% from resources is a joke – Mbangu
Kenya Kambowe
Rundu
Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu says Namibia’s independence was not attained to see the country have its mineral resources exploited by multinational companies in exchange for a mere 10% share. Speaking at a belated independence celebration at Manwangombe village over the weekend, he stressed that a 10% stake is “a joke”, adding that it is time for government to take charge of the country’s resources.
“These are our God-given resources and they need to benefit the Namibian people, not foreign exploiters.
“There must be no exploitation of resources without our participation. The 10% royalties investors are paying to the government is a joke. It needs to be increased,” Mbangu said.
“Multinational companies are in charge of our mines, banks and even our agricultural sector. We must stop bowing to neo-colonialism and imperialism.
“We refuse to believe that we can’t manage our own resources. We have come here to remind every Namibian that the sacrifices of our heroes and heroines should never be betrayed. With the right leadership, Namibia can become the most prosperous country on the African continent,” he said.
“Namibia is endowed with abundant natural resources. Namibia produces diamonds, uranium, copper, magnesium, zinc, silver, gold, lead, semi-precious stones and industrial minerals. We should be in charge of our own resources.”
Nation-building
While Namibia is faced with overwhelming challenges, nation-building should prevail in order to address them, he added.
He argued that Namibia can do better as far as this is concerned.
“As we grapple with the multifarious issues arising the shocks of our education system; lack of access to health facilities, especially for the people in rural areas; the economic situation which has taken a nose dive; the natural disaster of drought, we must remind ourselves that we can do better. Nation-building is a never-ending task and positive results require serious commitment,” the councillor said.
On the belated event, Mbangu said: “[It] is taking place in the midst of so many challenges facing us. The entire nation should come together and unite efforts to defeat the challenges that are our principal common enemies”.
[email protected]
Rundu
Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu says Namibia’s independence was not attained to see the country have its mineral resources exploited by multinational companies in exchange for a mere 10% share. Speaking at a belated independence celebration at Manwangombe village over the weekend, he stressed that a 10% stake is “a joke”, adding that it is time for government to take charge of the country’s resources.
“These are our God-given resources and they need to benefit the Namibian people, not foreign exploiters.
“There must be no exploitation of resources without our participation. The 10% royalties investors are paying to the government is a joke. It needs to be increased,” Mbangu said.
“Multinational companies are in charge of our mines, banks and even our agricultural sector. We must stop bowing to neo-colonialism and imperialism.
“We refuse to believe that we can’t manage our own resources. We have come here to remind every Namibian that the sacrifices of our heroes and heroines should never be betrayed. With the right leadership, Namibia can become the most prosperous country on the African continent,” he said.
“Namibia is endowed with abundant natural resources. Namibia produces diamonds, uranium, copper, magnesium, zinc, silver, gold, lead, semi-precious stones and industrial minerals. We should be in charge of our own resources.”
Nation-building
While Namibia is faced with overwhelming challenges, nation-building should prevail in order to address them, he added.
He argued that Namibia can do better as far as this is concerned.
“As we grapple with the multifarious issues arising the shocks of our education system; lack of access to health facilities, especially for the people in rural areas; the economic situation which has taken a nose dive; the natural disaster of drought, we must remind ourselves that we can do better. Nation-building is a never-ending task and positive results require serious commitment,” the councillor said.
On the belated event, Mbangu said: “[It] is taking place in the midst of so many challenges facing us. The entire nation should come together and unite efforts to defeat the challenges that are our principal common enemies”.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article