Mr Humphrey Geiseb, High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria says the oil wells discovered in his country are open to Nigerians ready to invest in the sector.
The envoy stated this on Thursday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Geiseb, who is also the Permanent Representative of his country to ECOWAS said a huge deposit of gas was also recently discovered in Namibia.
“Our oil industry is seeking for Nigerians participation and we will welcome investors ready to come to Namibia.
“Namibia and Nigeria have discussed potential cooperation in the oil sector for a long period.
“The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) recently visited Nigeria to explore Nigeria’s oils sector investments.
“Namibia is committed to promoting cooperation in our countries’ oil and gas sector especially through direct cooperation between NAMCOR and Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation,’’ he said
An estimated 11 billion barrels in oil reserves have been discovered off the Namibian coast.
The envoy also said that his country was ready to work with Nigeria in the area of elephant conservation and improvement of beef production infrastructure.
“Namibia increased its elephant population from 7000 in 1990 to 24000 in 2020
“However, we understand Nigeria’s elephant population has decreased over the years and Namibia is ready to help with expertise.
“Namibia has also since 2015 raised it availability to help upgrade Nigeria’s beef infrastructure, particularly concerning Lagos,’’ he said.
In a response, the minister said he was excited by the envoy’s offers because they would deepen bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Mohammed noted that Nigeria and Namibia had always enjoyed cordial relations.
He recalled that Nigeria played a prominent role in the liberation of many African countries, including Namibia, from the vestiges of colonialism, as well as in ending apartheid in South Africa.
“Let me recall that Nigeria, among other assistance, contributed about U.S. 20 million dollars to assist the South West Africa People’s Organisation, a political party and former independence movement, in the 1989 elections and other preparations for Namibian independence.
“Of course, Nigeria also contributed financially to liberation movements in South Africa and to the frontline states of Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
“Nigeria also sent young professionals to many countries in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific, including Namibia, under the international volunteer programme, known as Technical Aids Corps,’’ he said.
Mohammed noted that cooperation in several fields, including cultural and political fields would translate to economic cooperation for the benefit of the two countries.
