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The smuggling of petrol from Angola, known as “ngungula”, into Namibia has become a major problem for NamRA.
John Likando, a member of the National Council of the People’s Organization, called on the government to reconsider its tough stance on the importation of Angolan fuel, known as “ngungula” by locals along the border between the two countries.
He said the fuel was cheaper than international imports and would be a welcome relief for rural communities close to the border.
The illegal importation of Angolan fuel into Namibia through the border between the two countries has become a major problem for the Namibian Revenue Authority (NamRA) and the government. Fuel retail businesses in northern Namibia have also reported huge revenue losses as motorists prefer cheaper smuggled fuel.
“The Ngongula issue is still controversial. The fuel we use comes from OPEC and is very expensive for our rural areas. If I tell you how much it costs to fill up an old pickup truck, it is a lot of money. Fuel from neighbouring Angola costs less than N$600,” he said.
“And you guys are scolding us; people keep telling us this fuel will damage our vehicles. Maybe this should be investigated. Why should we use the fuel here?” Likandó wondered.
He was responding to a report presented to the National Assembly by Peter Kazongominja, a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Economy.
Kazongominja said the committee found that the border fence between Namibia and Angola was dilapidated. “Repairing the damaged border fence and supplementing it with the latest technology can combat the smuggling of illegal goods,” he said.
Difficult situation
Two months ago, Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo — a fierce critic of Ngongula — said the solution was to police the border, but he admitted that the police were ill-equipped to deal with the situation.
“It’s really difficult for them (Namibian police) (to do this) unless you really want to have a continuous presence in the border area. All the alternatives we have tried have not worked and as long as (fuel prices in Angola remain the same) there is no way we can solve this problem,” he said.
Based on global petrol prices, a litre of petrol in Angola costs around 6.30 Naira, while in Namibia it is 22.20 Naira.
Likandó further pointed out that he was surprised that the 32-page report did not mention Chinese companies.
“I went to Chinatown on the weekend and they didn’t even give me a receipt. They didn’t even have (card service). But for poor people who sell things on the street, you tax us even though we have a barber shop.
“It has to be in the report. I suggest that the report be sent for further study so that we can (incorporate) more recommendations,” he said.
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