Debmarine Namibia had the distinct honour of hosting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources during their recent oversight programme in the ||Kharas Region. The visit marked a significant milestone, as Members of Parliament were afforded the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the scale, complexity and contribution of Namibia’s offshore diamond recovery operations.
The Committee’s programme began with a comprehensive presentation delivered by Debmarine Namibia’s leadership team. Chief Executive Officer Mr Willy Mertens, Chief Operating Officer Ms Maenge Shipiki-Kali and Head of Mineral Resources Management Mr Godfrey Ngaisiue provided an in-depth overview of the company’s operations.
Their presentation covered the history and future of offshore natural diamond recovery, Namibia’s mineral endowment, operational processes, environmental management practices, current market challenges and the vital role natural diamonds play in sustaining the national economy.
Following the briefing, the delegation embarked on an operational tour, beginning with the state-of-the-art sampling and exploration vessel, the MV SS Nujoma, before proceeding to the world-class recovery vessel, the MV Benguela Gem.
The visits provided Parliamentarians with a unique opportunity to witness the intricacies of offshore diamond mining, from exploration through to recovery, while gaining a greater appreciation of the technological innovation, operational excellence and stringent safety standards that underpin Debmarine Namibia’s success.
He commended Debmarine Namibia for its unwavering commitment to safety and its substantial contribution to Namibia’s socio-economic development.
“I want to encourage you to keep going, to keep doing what you do best, and to continue promoting safety. You can be assured that you have our full support. To witness this industry first-hand, where an entire recovery operation is brought together on one vessel and makes such a huge contribution to the socio-economic development of our country, is truly remarkable.”
— Dr Tobie Aupindi, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources
The Leader of the Official Opposition and Committee Member, Hon. Immanuel Nashinge, also applauded Debmarine Namibia’s role in driving economic growth and highlighted the importance of continued engagement between industry and Government to address operational challenges.
“We truly appreciate the work you are doing in sustaining and growing our economy over the years. Government has a responsibility to create a conducive environment for businesses to operate and thrive. If there are challenges, they should be raised openly so that together we can find solutions. You must never die in silence.”
— Hon. Immanuel Nashinge
Other Committee Members, including Hon. Vetaruhe Kandorozu and Hon. Ferdinand Hengombe Engombe, echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of strengthening collaboration between Parliament, industry and other stakeholders.
They further highlighted the need to deepen understanding beyond recovery operations to include sales agreements, evaluation capacity and pricing mechanisms, ensuring Namibia continues to derive maximum value from its natural resources.
For Debmarine Namibia, the visit represented both a historic milestone and an important opportunity for constructive engagement.
Chief Executive Officer Mr Willy Mertens expressed his appreciation to the Committee, noting that it was the first time Members of Parliament had toured the company’s offshore diamond recovery operations.
He emphasised that the engagement had provided lawmakers with a deeper and more practical understanding of the industry’s technological capabilities and its contribution to Namibia’s national development.
“Such visits strengthen cooperation between Parliament and our sector while fostering informed decision-making on matters affecting the industry.”
— Willy Mertens, Chief Executive Officer, Debmarine Namibia
The visit underscored the importance of transparency, collaboration and shared responsibility in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Namibia’s natural diamond industry.
By opening its operations to parliamentary oversight, Debmarine Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, innovation and delivering meaningful socio-economic impact.
As Namibia continues to navigate global market challenges, the support expressed by Parliamentarians serves as a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to sustain and grow the industry.
Debmarine Namibia remains dedicated to responsibly recovering natural diamonds for the benefit of all Namibians while upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence.
Contributed by Debmarine Namibia
