LPM to seek Recon probe

Landless People's Movement (LPM) lawmaker Eneas Emvula intends to table a motion in the National Assembly calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into ReconAfrica's operations in the Kavango region, citing corporate governance concerns and the company's alignment with Namibia's national interests.

The LPM member of parliament’s motion will also call for an immediate halt to further oil and gas exploration by the company until the inquiry is complete and its recommendations have been acted on.

"I move that the Honourable House establishes a comprehensive, independent and full parliamentary investigation into ReconAfrica operations in the Kavango region and its representation regarding those operations in consideration of Namibia's sovereignty and national interest," the motion reads.

It calls for full cooperation from government ministries, agencies and traditional authorities, including access to documents and testimony.

Governance and transparency concerns

The planned motion follows long-standing questions over ReconAfrica's activities in the region, where the company holds a significant stake in Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 073.

The firm is exploring conventional oil and gas in the Kavango Basin with partners NAMCOR and BW Energy. It has reported a hydrocarbon discovery at the Kavango West 1X well, with production testing under way this year, and maintains it operates in compliance with local laws, uses low-impact methods and works with communities and authorities.

But investors and critics have previously raised concerns about disclosure, particularly around early estimates of resource potential, the use of unconventional techniques such as fracking, which 

Namibia has not authorised, and environmental impact assessments.

Class-action lawsuits in the US and Canada alleged the company made misleading statements to investors. ReconAfrica settled the cases without admitting liability.