By Adedapo Adesanya
The Namibian government has called on Nigerian oil investors to consider investing in the recently discovered oil wells in the country.
This call was put forth by Mr Humphrey Geiseb, High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed in Abuja on Thursday.
The envoy, who is also the Permanent Representative of his country to ECOWAS, said a huge deposit of gas was also recently discovered in Namibia.
“Our oil industry is seeking Nigerians’ participation and we will welcome investors ready to come to Namibia.
“Namibia and Nigeria have discussed potential cooperation in the oil sector for a long period.
“The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) recently visited Nigeria to explore Nigeria’s oils sector investments.
“Namibia is committed to promoting cooperation in our countries’ oil and gas sector especially through direct cooperation between NAMCOR and Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation,” Mr Geiseb noted.
An estimated 11 billion barrels in oil reserves have been discovered off the Namibian coast and this has increased the potential earnings for the Southern Africa country.
The envoy also said that his country was ready to work with Nigeria in the area of elephant conservation and improvement of beef production infrastructure.
“Namibia increased its elephant population from 7,000 in 1990 to 24,000 in 2020.
“However, we understand Nigeria’s elephant population has decreased over the years and Namibia is ready to help with expertise.
“Namibia has also since 2015 raised its availability to help upgrade Nigeria’s beef infrastructure, particularly concerning Lagos,’’ he said.
In his response, Mr Mohammed said he was excited by the envoy’s offers because they would deepen bilateral cooperation between both countries.
The Information Minister noted that Nigeria and Namibia had always enjoyed cordial relations.
He recalled that Nigeria played a prominent role in the liberation of many African countries, including Namibia, from the vestiges of colonialism, as well as in ending apartheid in South Africa.
“Let me recall that Nigeria, among other assistance, contributed about $20 million dollars to assist the South West Africa People’s Organisation, a political party and former independence movement, in the 1989 elections and other preparations for Namibian independence.
“Of course, Nigeria also contributed financially to liberation movements in South Africa and to the frontline states of Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
“Nigeria also sent young professionals to many countries in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific, including Namibia, under the international volunteer programme, known as Technical Aids Corps,’’ he said.
Mr Mohammed noted that cooperation in several fields, including cultural and political fields, would translate to economic cooperation for the benefit of the two countries.
Modupe Gbadeyanka