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dam-l Namibia disappointed in WBank's power investments/LS
>From Business Day, South Africa (http://www.bday.co.za/99/1111/news/n16.htm)
11 November 1999
Energy projects a bone of
contention for bank
John Dludlu and Patrick Wadula
NAMIBIA expressed disappointment yesterday at the World Bank's
ambivalence towards funding power projects in Africa.
Mines and Energy Minister Jesaya Nyamu said at a parallel
session at
the Commonwealth Business Forum yesterday that southern
African
countries were getting different signals from the
Washington-based
institution regarding possible involvement in power projects.
His remarks were made in response to a question about the
multilateral
development financier's role in funding thermal and
hydroelectric
power.
Nyamu suggested the bank's lack of involvement was
inspired by fear
of protests from environmental pressure groups.
He also told the forum, organised by autonomous business
body the
Commonwealth Business Council, that his country was
looking for
investors to participate in the restructuring of
Namibia's power sector.
The restructuring, which is designed to improve
efficiency and attract
investment, would see the country being divided into four
regional
electricity distribution regions "using joint ventures
with existing players
and the possibility of new private sector involvement".
He also outlined the power projects already under way in
the country.
These included the N$1bn 400kV line between Namibia and SA,
scheduled for completion next year, as well as the
western corridor,
which involves a transmission line from Inga through
Angola and
Namibia to SA.
Meanwhile, Kenya's Akamba Road Services chairman and MD
Sherali
Nathoo said there were a number of problems in transport
services in
Kenya that needed to be addressed, such as heavy tariffs
and duties on
vehicles, parts and petroleum products.
He suggested that the transport industry and roads be
privatised and that
there should be a special tax incentive for investors in
the industry.
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Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
and Editor, World Rivers Review
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
Tel. (510) 848 1155 Fax (510) 848 1008
http://www.irn.org
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