Protest against oil and gas exploration in Kavango
Civil society organisations and youth activists held a protest march against the oil and gas exploration activities of ReconAfrica in Namibia’s Kavango regions in celebration of Earth Day on Friday.
They marched from Windhoek’s Zoo Park to the environment ministry to hand over a Call for a Moratorium and Public Inquiry on Oil and Gas Exploration in the two Kavango regions, which has been signed by over 120 civil society organisations in Namibia.
According to a statement issued by the Women's Leadership Centre of Namibia, they further distributed and handed over an information pamphlet titled ‘Stop ReconAfrica!’ to bystanders and ministry officials.
“The pamphlet provides facts on many illegal activities conducted by ReconAfrica and spells out the damages and risks to people’s health, food security, social and natural environment. It calls on citizens to take action and hold government accountable to protecting the welfare of our people, including future generations,” reads the statement.
Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti received the materials and told the activists: “We see you. We hear you. We will respond to you soon.”
The activists responded by chanting, “No more false promises”.
They said if the government does not respond to the call for a public inquiry, civil society organisations will organise such inquiry in partnership with the affected communities and technical experts, and invite the government.
They marched from Windhoek’s Zoo Park to the environment ministry to hand over a Call for a Moratorium and Public Inquiry on Oil and Gas Exploration in the two Kavango regions, which has been signed by over 120 civil society organisations in Namibia.
According to a statement issued by the Women's Leadership Centre of Namibia, they further distributed and handed over an information pamphlet titled ‘Stop ReconAfrica!’ to bystanders and ministry officials.
“The pamphlet provides facts on many illegal activities conducted by ReconAfrica and spells out the damages and risks to people’s health, food security, social and natural environment. It calls on citizens to take action and hold government accountable to protecting the welfare of our people, including future generations,” reads the statement.
Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti received the materials and told the activists: “We see you. We hear you. We will respond to you soon.”
The activists responded by chanting, “No more false promises”.
They said if the government does not respond to the call for a public inquiry, civil society organisations will organise such inquiry in partnership with the affected communities and technical experts, and invite the government.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article