Shilunga warns against unrealistic oil, gas job expectations

WALVIS BAY – Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, Kornelia Shilunga has cautioned young Namibians against unrealistic expectations of immediate job opportunities in the emerging oil and gas industry.

Shilunga, who is also the Patron of Youth in Oil and Gas, spoke at the third Youth in Oil and Gas Summit which began yesterday in Walvis Bay.

Shilunga addressed over 600 young people, noting Namibia’s oil discoveries excite citizens but commercial production hasn’t started and opportunities won’t come automatically. She said discoveries alone don’t create jobs, referencing over 270 young people trained in hopes of employment.

“Discoveries alone do not create prosperity. It is what we do after discovery that will determine whether these resources transform our people’s lives and build a resilient, inclusive economy,” Shilunga said.