By: Peneyambeko Jonas and Annakleta Haikera
Public stakeholder consultations are currently underway across Namibia on the Nuclear Bill.
These engagements are being hosted in the regions and major towns of the country by the National Radiation Protection Authority.
Consultations began on 29 June in the Omaheke Region and will last until 17 July in the Khomas Region.
However, observations at various consultations noted low attendance by the public.
Oshana region hosted theirs on Monday, with a low attendance observed when the consultation began, with factors such as a lack of understanding and weak awareness creation being cited as reasons for the low attendance.
The Bill is an indicator of Namibia taking another step towards strengthening the regulation of nuclear technology.
Government officials and members of the public who turned up discussed the proposed law that will replace the country’s current Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act.
Speaking during the consultation, chief inspector Uendjitjitavi Karupa from the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Regulator said the current law is no longer sufficient because it does not regulate nuclear installations or many of the new developments taking place in the nuclear sector.
“The current law has gaps, especially when it comes to regulating nuclear installations. Namibia is entering the nuclear space, and we need a modern legal framework that will ensure the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology,” Karupa said.
She explained that the proposed legislation will give authorities stronger legal powers to license, inspect and monitor nuclear-related activities while ensuring the protection of people, workers and the environment.
According to the Draft Nuclear Bill, the new law also establishes a Nuclear Commission of Namibia, a Nuclear Institute of Namibia, and a Radiation and Nuclear Regulatory Authority to oversee different aspects of the country’s growing nuclear sector.
It further strengthens regulation of radioactive materials, emergency preparedness, waste management, inspections and public safety.
Despite the importance of the proposed law, attendance at the Oshakati consultation was low.
Karupa said this has been the pattern across the country.
“The turnout has been low in almost every region we have visited. Many people think nuclear science is a foreign or highly technical subject. They do not realise that it already plays an important role in hospitals, mining, agriculture and industry,” she told Eagle Media House.
She believes greater public awareness is needed so communities understand that the Bill is not about nuclear weapons, but about regulating technologies that already benefit many sectors of society.
Healthcare professionals attending the consultation welcomed the proposed legislation, saying it could improve medical services in Namibia.
Registered nurse Sacky Jeremiah from Oshakati Intermediate Hospital said the Bill could strengthen healthcare by creating a legal framework for the wider use of advanced nuclear technologies.
“Nuclear technology can help us detect diseases much earlier and identify exactly where the problem is. That means patients can receive treatment sooner and more accurately,” Jeremiah said.
He added that the proposed legislation could also create opportunities for private companies to own and develop nuclear-related facilities in Namibia for the first time, provided they meet strict safety and regulatory requirements.
The Draft Nuclear Bill also introduces stronger governance measures for the institutions that will oversee the sector, including requirements for transparency, financial accountability, public reporting and independent oversight.
Commissioners will be required to disclose conflicts of interest, while annual reports and audited financial statements must be submitted to Parliament.
The government is expected to continue consulting communities across the country before the Bill is tabled in Parliament, with officials encouraging more Namibians to participate and help shape legislation that could guide the country’s nuclear future for decades to come.
LACK OF PUBLIC INTEREST
Kavango East Region was scheduled to hold theirs on 9 July, but the consultation was called off as no members of the public – other than the officials and media – had shown up to participate.
Some Kavango East residents and stakeholders blamed poor public awareness for the low turnout at the recent Nuclear Bill consultation.
Resident Johannes Hausiku said many people were unaware of the meeting and did not understand the proposed bill.
NCCI Rundu Executive Committee member Risto Mushongo also questioned whether late invitations and the exclusion of key stakeholders contributed to the poor attendance, urging the governor’s office to improve communication and ensure broader public participation.
Meanwhile, Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka postponed the consultation to Tuesday, saying more public awareness had been conducted and that many people may have missed the initial meeting because they did not receive the invitations. The attendance level at the rescheduled consultation remained low.
