Shifeta 'may' review phosphate... mining report reveals danger to fishing

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said he may appoint a panel of independent experts to review the process under which the marine phosphate clearance certificate was issued to the Arab majority-owned fertiliser company.

Shifeta's promise comes after an environmental impact assessment report seen by The Namibian showed that marine phosphate mining could affect fish sources. Environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila issued an environmental clearance certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP) on 5 September 2016. NMP is 85% owned by Omani oil billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani through his company Mawarid Mining LLC, while 15% is owned by phosphate advocate Knowledge Katti via his company Havana Investments.