Hertta-Maria Amutenja
In a firm response to the Institute of Public Policy and Research (IPPR) and its Director, Graham Hopwood, President Hage Geingob has dismissed concerns raised by Hopwood regarding the acceptance of an award from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and his association with Cameroonian lawyer NJ Ayuk.
Geingob Spokesperson Alfredo Hengarri, stated yesterday that a series of articles published in The Namibian newspaper questioning the President’s decision to accept the AEC Lifetime Award raised concerns about NJ Ayuk’s alleged “corrupt influences” in the emerging upstream petroleum sector in Namibia, quoted Hopewood disproval of Geingob’s association with Ayuk.
“I think it is important that our leaders do not accept awards from people with very questionable track records as appears to be the case here,” IPPR director Graham told The Namibian recently.
The Presidency issued a statement, underlining its conviction that there is nothing Hopwood and the IPPR to worry about regarding Geingob’s legacy.
Hengari emphasised that Geingob does not require lectures from Hopwood on which awards to accept.
“The Presidency is of the conviction that there is nothing that should concern Mr. Hopwood about the legacy of President Geingob. Therefore, he can store his futile concerns in a box somewhere. The Geingob legacy of exceptional service to the Namibian people as a freedom fighter and as a post-independence leader, working hard for the improvement of the living conditions and the prosperity of Namibians is solid,” said Hengari.
Hengari stated that the AEC awarded Geingob in recognition of his contributions to the energy sector, including the development of a world-class energy mix that incorporates green hydrogen and the discovery of oil and gas.
According to Hengari, the President delivered a keynote address at the African Energy Week last week, which drew an audience of 5,000 policymakers, industry leaders, and energy specialists, including representatives from prominent energy companies and senior United States of America government officials.
Hengari asserted that the majority of Namibians can witness a resurgent and thriving nation.
“The nation has endured a challenging eight years marked by economic downturns, severe droughts, and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Geingob’s leadership, particularly through the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, has been instrumental in navigating these turbulent times and promoting growth engines such as green hydrogen and non-renewables,” urged Hengari.
Geingob’s association with Ayuk, or Njock Ayuk Eyong, had raised concerns among local experts who warned that Namibia’s emerging upstream petroleum sector was potentially being exposed to individuals with “corrupt influences”.
Hopwood reiterated, “I think it is important that our leaders do not accept awards from people with questionable track records, as appears to be the case here. We have to avoid the examples of Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola at all costs.”
