Kae Matundu Tjiparuro
The report and/or the derivatives of the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources cannot but be highly suspect.
Regarding the exploration of uranium in the region of Omahake, specifically in the Stampriet area by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of the Russian energy company. A matter the local media has lately been zeroing in on. But at variance.
One headlining its story on the exploration of uranium is hanging in the balance. While the subsequent informed and reported on the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources’ love and/or favourable inclination towards the exploration.
Gunning for the exploration to push ahead and through. Oblivious to the environmental concern expressed by some stakeholders. The due process that is outstanding and which includes an environmental assessment notwithstanding.
This matter has long been coming and one cannot but wonder whichever way the dice may eventually fall. But what is becoming apparent is that due diligence regarding this exploration by Headspring Investments and its mother company, Rosatom, cannot but be suspect. Given these companies’ obvious undue influence, which has been lurking behind it. In the name of corporate responsibility. Whereby the Rubble (the Russian currency) has already been floated.
There seems to be more to the Parley committee’s would-be innocent concern for the country losing a much-craved and -sought-after investment than meets the eye.
It’s blatant eagerness to want the investment pushed through and/or expedited despite many critical loose ends. Foremost the overdue environmental assessment. Especially given a legitimate concern, among inhabitants of the area concerned, that the mining method to be applied may pose an environmental hazard. Fears have been mounting of the possible contamination of the underground water in the area. A critical source and resource, and thus a lifeline to the area, especially the farming community, including for the surrounding farming communities.
Ironically, be that as it may, the parliamentary committee, of all, seems now to be joining the bandwagon of those who have been not only yearning for the investment to sail through but have, probably for much time behind closed doors, been conniving with the would-be investors, pushing for the exploration go-ahead. Amongst them, none other than the governor of Omaheke.
Buoyed not only by promises of investments locally, especially in Leonardville. Where indeed rubbles have started flowing in. As well as in the Omaheke region in general. Via scholarships, amongst others, for youth from the region. Presumably a corporate responsibility gesture as per the public relations endeavours of the company itself.
Certainly one, least of all the innocent residents of the impoverished settlement of Leonardville, impoverished as is and has been, as indeed the inhabitants of the wide Omaheke, marginalised as they have been, cannot be blamed for appreciating and welcoming any investment with open arms. Or any rare benevolence in their eyes, be it from Headspring IInvestments orany other philanthropist for that matter.
As well-meaning as such could appear and/or made to be in the interest of the residents and/or inhabitants, this is not all that is to Headspring Investments’ ambition in the settlement and region. Nor can the intentions of the cohort of local people, who, since the endeavour was initiated, have become the face of the investment and its front and prime movers, be as truthful and noble as they may appear on the face of it. These are the usual fly-by-night and Johnny-come-lately usual middlemen and women, the would-be facilitators. You name them.
Surely, among them may be bona fide natives of the settlement and region. But one cannot but be suspicious of the usual free riders and opportunists. Always on the lookout for a quick dollar.
It pains Yours Truly Ideologically to let alone dare to think that the honourable members of the standing committee are among the gold diggers. But their apparent haste cannot but induce one to deduce the obvious.
To some, the envisaged exploration is more than just an investment, well-meant and with great potential in terms of ultimately uplifting the area which has been on the margins of development. Given this, Headspring Investments’ presence in the area and region cannot be rejected outrightly. The concern regarding possible contamination of the underground water cannot, must not and should not be taken lightly.
A concern farmers in the area and region, as demonstrated by the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), have been voicing.
The said Standing Committee may have consulted extensively and widely before compiling its report and recommendations. But according to Sauma, they have not been consulted. Which, needless to say, if this is true, are not only gross oversights and omissions but also highly suspect. Because Sauma is a significant stakeholder as far as the possible mining of uranium in the area is concerned. The shenanigans of the investor in this matter have been too obvious and glaring.
Unsuspecting people, not to mention people with little insight, if any insight at all, are taken on sponsored trips to Russia to apparently see for themselves. Such trips being only the icing on the cake. It is none other than the very same Standing Committee that is on record accusing some of the commercial farmers of having been acquiescing to the exploration by allowing such on their farms, of course at a price. This cannot but somehow support Yours Truly Ideologically’s suspicion regarding undue influence somehow. Who has not been unduly influenced is hard to say. Nor can the committee itself also be free from such undue influence.
Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but wonder if and when this report shall be tabled in Parliament. For the necessary debate on it given the grave nature of the matter to many people, let alone the farming community of the area in question. But most interesting is that the government has as yet to express itself on this matter based on and following the due process. This due process includes an independent assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Upon which the issuance of the Exclusive Prospecting License (EPL) is dependent. Which is being awaited. Why the haste by the standing committee?
