OPINION: Namibia’s oil and gas sector is still looking forward to reaching the production phase — S&P Global analysts don’t anticipate Namibia's first oil to come until 2029, and the country’s first gas-to-power project is scheduled to begin in 2027. Before Namibia achieves these hotly anticipated milestones, Namibian lawmakers have the opportunity to implement thoughtful, effective policy to benefit their people. NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber discusses the need for local content laws designed to help spread future wealth, develop the skills of the Namibian people in oil and gas professions, and promote the establishment of Namibian oil and gas businesses.

SOUTH AFRICA: Arriving from Walvis Bay, the Silver Cloud became the first ever cruise vessel to visit the Port of Saldanha Bay this week when she docked with 227 passengers to explore the West Coast as a tourism destination.

JAMAICA: Dr Grace Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa visited the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Michael Lodge at their headquarters in Jamaica last week ahead of the 29^th Council Session which concludes on 29 March.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority yesterday confirmed that a search has been initiated for a group of six people believed to be at sea about 100km west of Cape Town in the Atlantic Ocean after their RIB ran out of fuel.

GABON: The death of five offshore workers on a Perenco offshore platform last week has once again raised the need for better safety protocols in the sector with many calling for a transparent inquiry into the incident across social media platforms.

SOUTH AFRICA: Despite declines in the sale of canned fish, Oceana anticipates a significant increase in earnings based on the exceptional performance its US subsidiary, Daybrook.

SOUTH AFRICA: Two sailors were successfully rescued when their yacht, which was sailing from Tristan da Cunha to Cape Town, started to take on water approximately 2,400km west-southwest of their destination. The skipper of the yacht unfortunately could not be rescued and is presumed to have gone down with the vessel.

NIGERIA: The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) operated by APM Terminals at the port of Onne has taken another step forward in its US$115 million upgrade project announced in 2020 that is due to be completed during the course of this year.