ReconAfrica – Windhoek Observer

15 Jun

ReconAfrica in water license misunderstanding

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Agriculture, NAMCOR, Namibia, National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), ReconAfrica, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri A misunderstanding from ReconAfrica, an oil and gas exploration company searching for oil in the Kavango basin, led to the company operating without a water permit, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) Deputy Executive Director (ED) Maria Amakali has revealed. “As such, there was a misunderstanding from their side that because they are operating in non-water control area, they did not need a permit.” This appears to be a contradiction to Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein’s revelation last month that the company had applied to drill boreholes, for both exploration and abstraction and purposes and that, thus…

ReconAfrica needs to comply – Alweendo

ObserverObserver MoneyKavango region, Minister of Mines and Energy, ReconAfrica, Tom Alweendo

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, says ReconAfrica needs to comply with regulatory and licensing regulations of the country. Windhoek Observer asked the Minister why the company continued to explore for oil and gas in the Kavango region without a water permit, thus violating mining regulations. A water permit is a key requirement to mining as water is essential for cooling and lubricating the drill bit when drilling. “My position is that all licensing requirements must be complied with. Where that is not the case, the company must be made to comply.” Alweendo said. The Minister’s…

ReconAfrica illegally drilling

ObserverObserver MoneyKavango East, Kawe village, ReconAfrica

Andrew Kathindi It has emerged that ReconAfrica, a Canadian company that has been undertaking controversial oil drilling at Kawe village, in the Kavango East,has been operating without water permits. This was confirmed to Windhoek Observer by Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein. According to Maggy Shino, the Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the company needs a water permit before commencing with its business, even if an oil and gas exploration licence is granted. ReconAfrica announced on January 11 that it had commenced drilling operations on the first well (6-2), and recently mobilised its…