Patience Makwele
The Upstream Petroleum Unit under the office of the President has been allocated N$20 million in the 2026/27 budget.
The unit was established after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took office last year.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah then appointed Kornelia Shilunga as head of the unit with Carlo McLeod as deputy.
But the allocated budget to the unit has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers who say the unit is not yet grounded in law.
Debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday had the members of parliament questioning why parliament is being asked to fund an entity before its legal framework is finalised.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Michael Mwashindange said the unit should fall under the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy in line with existing legislation.
“I suggest that this N$20 million be put under the minister of industries… The upstream unit does not exist in our laws,” he said.
He warned that approving the allocation could allow the executive to act before parliament passes the necessary laws.
IPC’s shadow minister of justice and labour relations Elvis Lizazi said he would not support what he described as an “illegal process”.
This comes as parliament is debating whether to pass the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill.
The unit is expected to be formalised under the bill, which proposes shifting authority over the oil and gas sector from the minister to the Presidency.
Under the bill, the unit will regulate, manage and coordinate all upstream petroleum activities, including exploration, appraisal, development, production and decommissioning.
It will also issue and manage petroleum licences, oversee petroleum agreements, and monitor compliance by operators, contractors and subcontractors.
The bill also requires senior officials in the unit to declare their assets, liabilities and business interests to the President.
Officials would be barred from holding financial interests in licence-holding companies, with violations carrying a fine of up to N$20 000 or imprisonment of up to five years.
Data from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy shows Namibia’s offshore oil and gas reserves could generate up to N$7.7 billion a year through royalties and taxes.
While lawmakers debated the allocation, concerns also emerged about parliament’s own capacity.
The National Assembly has been allocated N$410.7 million for the 2026/27 financial year.
MPs said most of the budget goes to salaries and operational costs, with limited funding for development and infrastructure.
They warned that this could affect parliament’s ability to carry out its oversight role.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), which received N$181 million, also came under scrutiny.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Diederik Vries questioned why ECN continues to rent office space instead of investing in permanent infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Mwashindange asked for clarity on rented equipment used outside election periods, while National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato raised questions about stolen electronic voting machines and a government vehicle.
Some lawmakers defended the commission. Swapo member of parliament Salomon April said the ECN plays a key role in the country.
“The body that keeps democracy alive in this country,” he said.
