Ministry of Mines and Energy – Windhoek Observer

28 Oct

MME rolls out survey to shape future policies

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Mines and Energy

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is conducting a comprehensive national energy survey and affordability study in collaboration with the World Bank. The survey started on 7 October and is expected to end on 11 November. The ministry’s Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, stated that the study, which will be carried out countrywide, aims to assess socio-economic conditions and identify development needs. He said the survey will also provide a robust evidence base for formulating policies and programmes aimed at poverty reduction and sustainable development by expanding universal access to energy. The exercise will encompass a range of…

05 Sep

When fuel prices spike people can expect an increase in inflation

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Mines and Energy, When fuel prices spike people can expect an increase in inflation

Martin Endjala Consumers may already understand the implications of higher oil prices because when fuel prices increase, a larger share of households’ budgets is likely to be spent on it, which leaves less to spend on other goods and services. The same goes for businesses whose goods must be transported from place to place or that use fuel as a major input such as mining, agriculture and construction industries. These were the words of Independent Researcher and Economist, Joseph Sheehama while reacting to the fuel price increment by the Ministry of Mines and Energy yesterday. The Ministry informed the public…

28 Feb

Taxi union pushes for N$26 per trip despite backlash

ObserverFeatured, National NewsMinistry of Mines and Energy, Taxi union pushes for N$26 per trip despite backlash, Werner Januarie

Steve Nashama The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union(NTTU) says it will not be discouraged by public opinions on its intention to increase taxi fare by 100 percent, which would mean N$26 per trip. The union’s President, Werner Januarie says the increment is more than justified, since they put in the request about three years ago. The current taxi fare stands at N$13. The union’s request follows an announcement made by the Ministry of Mines and Energy about the increase of petrol prices. Diesel prices remain unchanged, the ministry said. Januarie said It has been about two to three years since…

27 Jul

Load shedding in SA lowers Namibia’s supply

ObserverNational NewsAndreas Simon, Eskom, Load shedding in SA lowers Namibia’s supply, Ministry of Mines and Energy, NamPower

Staff Writer Electricity supply to Namibia is reduced by five percent in every subsequent stage, when load shedding occurs South Africa. Andreas Simon, senior public relations officer at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, stated that Namibia has two power import contracts with Eskom and that South Africa’s power challenges influence the amount of electricity it provides to its foreign clients. “We have a 100MW firm deal signed earlier this year. Under this contract if Eskom load sheds, then they curtail our supply according to the stage of load shedding in South Africa. When its stage 1 or 2 load…

16 Jul

Namibia needs to be smarter when dealing with investors-Smith

ObserverNational NewsMinistry of Mines and Energy, Namibia needs to be smarter when dealing with investors-Smith, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Nico Smit

Martin Endjala Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Nico Smit told the National Assembly yesterday that Namibia needs to be smarter when dealing with investors, who undertake mining activities in the country. Smit made this observation in the light of the recent oil and gas discoveries in the country that of late has the talk of the nation. Smit’s contribution was in support of the findings and recommendations by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources chairperson Tjekero Tweya. The report recommends that the Ministry of Mines and Energy review its ownership license and conduct regular monitoring on companies involved in…

05 Jul

Fuel import bill spikes by 119.6%

ObserverNational NewsFuel import bill spikes by 119.6%, Higher international oil prices, Ministry of Mines and Energy

Tujoromajo Kasuto Higher international oil prices have manifested in the Namibian economy, as a higher bill for fuel, with the import bill now having skyrocketed by 119.6 percent to N$5.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. According to the Bank of Namibia’s Quarterly Bulletin for June 2022, this is due to higher international oil prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as an increase in imported volumes, which put upward pressure on the import bill for mineral fuels. ‘’Mineral fuel makes up a substantial share of total imports and has been…

31 May

All-time high fuel increases

ObserverNational NewsAll-time high fuel increases, Kornelia Shilunga, Ministry of Mines and Energy, National Energy Fund (NEF)

Obrein Simasiku Namibian motorists will have to dig deeper into their inflation hit pockets to pay more for their full. Fuel pump prices have reached historic highs after the Ministry of Mines and Energy announced an exponential increase in fuel, whereby petrol will cost N$2.50 more and diesel is adjusted by N$1.50, effective 1 June. This will be an all-time high adjustment that will see pump stations at Walvis Bay shoot up to N$20.40 in petrol and N$21.43 diesel, which means across the country, it is estimated to cost over N$22 and N$23, respectively. The ministry recorded a huge under-recovery…

29 Oct

Fuel prices have risen yet again

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Mines and Energy

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Mines and Energy today confirmed fuel prices increase with petrol prices increasing by 50 cents per litre and diesel by 70 cents per litre. The will be effective as from Wednesday, 03 November 2021. The fuel pump prices in Walvis Bay will become N$ 14.95 per litre for petrol and N$ 14.88 per litre for diesel. The prices across the rest of the country will also be adjusted accordingly. Moreover, the ministry noted that the National Energy Fund (NEF) will cover the entirety of the under-recoveries recorded for the month of October 2021 on behalf…

03 Mar

Energy ministry lifts licence moratorium

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Mines and Energy

Staff Writer The Ministry of Mines and Energy on Tuesday announced the lifting of its temporary suspension on the issuing of fuel retail site and wholesale licenses. The Ministry last July effected the suspension, citing an oversupply of service stations in the country. The move was aimed at reviewing existing procedures and requirements for securing a fuel retail site and wholesale license. “The Ministry has reviewed the licencing procedures and requirements for granting fuel retail and wholesale licences, as provided for in the Petroleum Products and Energy Regulations, of 2000. This includes new application forms and conditions for the granting…

03 Jul

Namibia hit by service station oversupply

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Mines and Energy

Staff Writer The Ministry of Mines and Energy has temporarily suspended the issuing of fuel retail site and wholesale licenses citing an oversupply of service stations in the country. According to the ministry, the six month moratorium has been placed on new applications as it reviews existing procedures and requirements. “There has been a proliferation of licenses, especially retail, being issued without proper economic viability being carried out. We thus need time to institute more effective licensing procedures,” Mines minister Tom Alweendo told the Windhoek Observer. Namibian Oil Industry Association Secretariat Chief Executive Officer, Harald Schmidt said the ministry’s decision…