First Gentleman says oil and gas under presidency a strategic move 

By: Josia Shigwedha

Namibia’s First Gentleman,Denga Ndaitwah, says President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah placed the country’s oil and gas portfolio under her office to safeguard it from corruption, as it is one of the sectors most vulnerable to abuse.

Speaking at a student workshop held at Triumphant College in Khomasdal, Windhoek, under the theme  “Efficient Education as an Effective Weapon for the Future” Ndaitwah said some individuals had hoped the oil and gas portfolio would be assigned to specific ministries for corrupt purposes.

“In that field, it is where most people can simply be corrupted. Because it’s so lucrative… Because they want the oil and gas to be placed somewhere there, like all other ministries and all other departments. So that when it is there, you can easily can be corrupted,” said Ndaitwah.

Ndaitwah also stressed that joining the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) should be a patriotic duty, not just a fallback for those who fail academically as a means of earning money.

“Most youngsters don’t join based on patriotism because they want to defend their country. They join because they know when you are there, you have got a salary. But the Defence Force is not about the salary. You better go for something else if its for salaries. Defence Force is for the defence, that the name says it all. It’s for the defence of the country,” said Ndaitwah.

Ndaitwah urged students to understand their strengths and passions while pursuing their studies, adding that increased attention is needed to support the development of the boy child.