Poverty eradication ministry targets renewable energy by 2019

The ministry of poverty eradication and social welfare has committed itself to supplying affordable renewable energy to Namibians in the low income sector by 2019.

This was revealed by the minister of poverty eradication and social welfare, Zephania Kameeta, at a meeting held with representatives of One Climate Fund South Africa in Windhoek on Wednesday.

The ministry is seeking funding from the international initiative.

Kameeta said poverty cannot not be eradicated without addressing the impact of climate change on environment and sustainability.

He said the implementation plan on wealth redistribution and poverty eradication includes cheap energy resources such as solar power units and bio-mass energy.

The minister said this target can be achieved by raising awareness of renewable energy technology and demand-side management.

“Namibia needs to move faster on climate change and our role is to coordinate all these activities with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, as well as other line ministries,” said Kameeta.

He said if fast actions are not implemented on climate change, Namibia will soon see the increase of internal migrants due to drought in certain parts of the country, accompanied by social unrest.

“We cannot eradicate poverty while we are dragging our feet when it comes to climate change. Poverty eradication and practical constructive action against climate change must go hand in hand,” he said.

The one-day meeting was attended by the minster of mines and energy, Obeth Kandjoze, the minster of environment and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General and delegates from Germany and South Africa. - Nampa