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UPM vows to add value to Namibia’s natural resources

Elizabeth Kheibes
The United People's Movement's (UPM) manifesto says if voted into power at the presidential elections in November, the party will focus on adding value to Namibia's mineral resources.

The party said foreign investors employ workers in foreign factories using resources from Namibia and they aim to change this.

"Over 80% of our fish is exported without us adding any value to it, which means Spain and Iceland are the ones creating employment for their people in factories using our fish. We want to ensure Namibians take ownership and control of all our natural mineral resources," the party manifesto reads.

"Countries like Qatar splashed over US$220 billion to host the World Cup, which is 3.766 trillion Namibian dollars. This is because they have ownership of their natural mineral resources," the manifesto states.

UPM added: "We will investigate transactions in which natural resources were sold to foreign companies and the benefits Namibia gains from such transactions."

Furthermore, UPM's manifesto accuses government of "selling out" the country by allowing foreign mine owners to only pay 3.96% tax, saying it also aims to change this.

Moreover, the party says it would "invest heavily in desalination plants; there's a vast ocean that covers the entire coastline of our country that can transport water by pipeline to agricultural projects inland. That means that we should have desalination plants along the coast to provide water for drinking, industrial and agricultural purposes," the party vows.

If voted into power, UPM says it would also ensure that all relevant laws will be amended to protect Namibia's underground water from pollution and other toxins.

Focus on youth

The party further promised to promote youth empowerment.

"UPM wants to create a conducive policy environment for effective youth self-empowerment by allocating 70% of positions on the UPM list for the National Assembly elections to the youth, for them to effectively contribute to the decision-making processes," the manifesto adds.

The party also states it wants to introduce a universal social grant of N$1 750 per month to all unemployed citizens between the ages of 25 and 59.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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