McHenry Venaani criticizes Namibian government coordination

McHenry Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement, has accused the Namibian government of failing to coordinate its agencies following an appeal against an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has formally challenged the decision by Environmental Commissioner Timotheus Mufeti to grant the ECC to Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP). According to appeal documents, the ministry only learned of the August 5, 2026, decision two days later via social media.

Venaani stated that the situation suggests a lack of Cabinet collective responsibility and poor communication between ministries. He suggested that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah may not have been aware of the clearance. The appeal, lodged through the Office of the Attorney-General, seeks to challenge the decision and all associated conditions in its entirety.