Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday underscored the urgency of passing important legislation in Parliament, including the soon-to-be-tabled Petroleum Act. During a courtesy meeting with the leader of the Body of Christ Party (BCP), Bishop Festus Thomas, at State House, Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the executive is finalising the Petroleum Act to be tabled in the National Assembly soon.

According to Namibia Press Agency, she urged opposition parties to prioritise the debate and ensure its swift passage, stating that the law will be crucial for regulating and advancing the country's petroleum industry. The Bill demonstrates the government's strong focus on Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector, which President Nandi-Ndaitwah has placed under her office. "We would just really appreciate that once we take these laws to Parliament, we also take them with seriousness," the President said.

The government is introducing new laws following significant offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin from 2022. These discoveries, estimated to contain billions of barrels of recoverable oil reserves, are poised to transform Namibia into a major oil producer, driving increased investment and creating jobs.

Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated her commitment to engaging opposition parties represented in the National Assembly to foster cooperation in addressing national development issues. "As a government, once we settle, I said I will be engaging the political parties to look at some of the questions that we post, and that is really the purpose. We have a responsibility towards our people, those who have elected us. And we need to work together, because once they elect us, they expect us to deliver," she stressed.

The Namibian Leader further highlighted other key legislative priorities currently before Parliament, including the amendment Bill to the Public Enterprises Governance Act, the Land Bill, and the soon-to-be-tabled Investment Bill. On his part, Bishop Thomas commended the President for her openness to dialogue with opposition parties and called for fair and equal access to land, noting that "a quick path to national access to fair and equal land can ease future political unrest."