Joint Nigeria-Namibia refinery to offer
employment to youths — Envoy


Abuja – Namibian High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Amb. Peingeondjabi Shipoh, said on
Friday the joint Nigeria-Namibia refinery will
offer employment opportunities to the teeming
youth of both countries.
Shipoh said in Abuja that the refinery was an
outcome of an agreement signed during
President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Namibia
in March.
The envoy said that the project which would be
sited in Namibia would be private-sector
driven.
“When President Goodluck Jonathan visited
Namibia in March we intended signing 13
(agreements) but because of the short notice,
we could only sign 11.
“There is an agreement to establish a joint
refinery. Namibia has availed the land in the
port of Walvis Bay and this agreement
stipulates that the private sector champions the
project.
“My duty is to consult the private sector in
Namibia and Nigeria assisted by the Namibia-
Nigeria Chamber of Commerce or the umbrella
chamber of commerce industry of Nigeria and
the Nigerian High Commissioner in Windhoek.
“How to access the private sector that may be
interested in this project in Namibia. This has
been on the table for over 20 years.
“Namibia has no refinery, it imports everything
that we need as far as petroleum products are
concerned. Therefore this project is very
important to the livelihood of Namibians.
The high commissioner said that the project
which would cost about US$10 billion would be
given the necessary support by the two
governments.
The envoy emphasised the need to ensure
value addition by training the youth of both
countries that would constitute the workforce.
He explained that the refinery would enhance
the economies of both countries and their
regions.
“It all depends how thick the pockets of the
business people are. When it comes to refinery,
it’s not a cheap project depending on the
capacity of that refinery.
“We are talking about U.S. $7 billion to U.S.
$10 billion.
“Since the Namibian government is keen to see
this refinery taking off some instruments are
also ready to assist such an investor.
“The most important thing for the Namibian
government is, we would like to create jobs with
this project; there is our solution in terms of
alleviating poverty.
“The youth, they are graduating and they don’t
have fixed jobs; this is the opportunity.
“We all know that a refinery of that magnitude
needs skilled people.
“So, it is for us also to be ready to start training
now so that if it is in two or three or four years
the refinery is ready the corresponding work
force should be ready.
“Whether they come from Nigeria or Namibia,
the support of the government is guaranteed.”
Shipoh said that Namibia had discovered oil
adding that “oil might not be far away”.
According to him, facilities and opportunities
were available to investors under the
agreement signed on oil and gas.
“Promising exploration zones are open for
exploration by international companies,” he
added.
He said other the agreements signed were in
the areas of mineral exploration, agriculture,
education and health.
The envoy said the agreements would facilitate
the transfer of Nigerian professionals in the
health and education sectors for a specific
period to Namibia.
The envoy pointed out that the Joint
Commission of Cooperation (JCC) shared by
both countries would ensure the review and
implementation of agreements between both
countries.
He said the JCC is expected to meet in Namibia
in June or July. (NAN)


Culled from Vanguard