A controversial Namibian oil bill passed its second reading in parliament after
intense public, opposition and analyst criticism. Critics say the bill would
strip key oversight powers and concentrate authority over the energy sector in
the president’s office. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has promoted the
measure as the cornerstone of her regulatory reform agenda, and the presidency
have dismissed those concerns, saying the bill would establish a new regulator
under the presidential office to speed decision-making and contain necessary
checks.
