Windhoek: Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, on Tuesday expressed her support for the Petroleum Amendment Bill, asserting that the proposed legislation would enhance governance, accountability, and coordination in Namibia's burgeoning oil and gas sector. According to Namibia Press Agency, during a National Assembly debate on the Bill, Iipumbu emphasized the strategic importance of the country's petroleum prospects and argued against leaving the upstream petroleum sector fragmented. She highlighted the necessity of a unified decision-making process due to the sector's strategic, capital-intensive, and risk-exposed nature. Iipumbu, a Swapo Party lawmaker, dismissed concerns about weakening accountability by placing upstream petroleum activities under the Presidency. She contended that the bill would establish a clear hierarchy with defined responsibilities and oversight, ensuring that the Presidency remains accountable. She also mentioned that the proposed Upstream Petr oleum Unit would promote transparency, local involvement, regulatory compliance, and public reporting within the sector. The Petroleum Amendment Bill aims to amend the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991, proposing the transfer of upstream oil and gas activities under the Presidency. This proposal has faced opposition from some public members and political parties, who argue that it could concentrate excessive power within the executive branch. Rodrick Likando, a lawmaker from the Independent Patriots for Change, opposed the bill, expressing concerns that it would expand executive authority and potentially weaken parliamentary oversight. He advocated for Parliament to have the power to approve or reject royalty waivers before they are granted, rather than being informed after the fact. Likando also criticized the provision requiring asset declarations from the proposed Upstream Petroleum Unit's Director-General and Deputy Director-General, as these would be submitted only to the President and not to Parliament.