Milton Louw proposes that each citizen should benefit from Namibia’s natural resources through a framework that ensures equitable distribution and utilization for national development. His approach includes several key elements:
1. Central Register of Natural Resources: A comprehensive register to track and manage licenses for natural resources, ensuring transparency and accountability in resource utilization. This register would cover all licenses for the extraction and use of natural resources, ensuring that benefits are fairly distributed and not concentrated in the hands of a few .
2. Community Participation and Ownership: Encouraging community involvement in resource management to ensure that local populations directly benefit from the resources extracted from their areas. This includes community-based projects and cooperative models that provide employment and investment opportunities for local citizens .
3. Revenue Distribution: Implementing policies to ensure that revenues generated from natural resources are invested in public services and infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions. This could involve setting up a sovereign wealth fund or similar mechanism to manage and allocate resource revenues for long-term national development goals .
4. Sustainable Practices: Promoting sustainable extraction and environmental stewardship to preserve natural resources for future generations. This involves strict regulatory frameworks and monitoring to prevent over-exploitation and environmental degradation .
5. Educational and Skills Development: Investing in education and training programs to equip citizens with the skills needed to participate in the resource sector. This ensures that more Namibians can take up skilled jobs in mining, oil, and other resource-based industries .
By implementing these measures, Milton aims to create a more equitable and sustainable framework for the management and utilization of Namibia’s natural resources, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from the country’s wealth.
