Ngungula: Homes turned into fuel stations
Government’s failure to clamp down on the sale of smuggled Angolan fuel in northern Namibia has reportedly led to communities turning their homes into fuel selling points.
Ngungula, a colloquial term referring to the smuggling of petrol and diesel from Angola, has been rampant for years in northern Namibia. This situation has resulted in some service stations, especially in Ohangwena, closing down.
Despite attempts by the police to contain the situation, illegal fuel smuggling has seemingly spiralled out of control.
Smugglers are reportedly travelling to Oshikango to purchase large volumes of smuggled fuel and sellers reportedly openly undermine the police by peddling it along the roads in Oshikango.
The buyers are mostly taxi operators who buy the fuel cheaply in order to maximise profits.
Two weeks ago, Namibian Sun reported on the arrest of a 32-year-old woman at Uuye-Wakapoko location in Ondangwa, who was charged with being in possession of over 200 litres of fuel without a valid permit.
Worrying trends
Reportedly, some police officers are allegedly also involved in using or selling illegal fuel that was confiscated during police operations.
It is alleged that some police officers confiscate illegal fuel and, instead of handing it over as evidence, they use it themselves or allegedly sell it to the community.
Oshana police regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria told Namibian Sun yesterday that a police officer in his region was arrested last year after stealing fuel from the warehouse where it was stored.
He emphasised that the police do not condone such criminal behaviour among its members.
Regarding the ongoing issue of smuggled fuel, Sakaria said law enforcement officials have made several arrests over the years and continue to combat the problem.
Heed the law
He urged community members to assist the police in addressing the issue.
“There is also a law. It's a contravention of the Petroleum and Energy Products Act 13 of 1990. It clearly spells out how the fuel should be transported and the storage of it thereof,” Sakaria explained.
“The danger is not just assumed, it is real. And we have practical examples of what happened. Not so long ago, two vehicles collided near Oshigambo, where one vehicle was carrying people and the other was carrying fuel. Those people were very unfortunate, and there was nothing bystanders could do – the fire was just too serious," the commissioner warned. He added that the problem is worsened by the nearby border.
“As you put it, this fuel is smuggled from Angola, and there is no problem with people travelling to Angola and filling up their cars. It is like travelling to any other country. But now, bringing it for commercial purposes, that is when you contravene the law and then you endanger the lives of other people.”
Economic impact
Sakaria added that the black market for fuel has a negative impact on Namibia's gross domestic product (GDP).
“The economic impact is there as well. When I was in Omafo the other day, there was a service station that closed down because of this situation,” he explained.
“Here in Oshana, the owners of the service station would call me because we collaborate with the community on these issues, and then they would be telling me about how difficult it is for them to do business. They employ people and they pay taxes to the government," he underlined.
“So it is a serious impact also on our GDP. So the efforts are endless."
Sakaria added that "in Oshana, unlike maybe in other regions, you will not find people filling up with bottles and cans along the road and so on because it is not allowed."
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Ngungula, a colloquial term referring to the smuggling of petrol and diesel from Angola, has been rampant for years in northern Namibia. This situation has resulted in some service stations, especially in Ohangwena, closing down.
Despite attempts by the police to contain the situation, illegal fuel smuggling has seemingly spiralled out of control.
Smugglers are reportedly travelling to Oshikango to purchase large volumes of smuggled fuel and sellers reportedly openly undermine the police by peddling it along the roads in Oshikango.
The buyers are mostly taxi operators who buy the fuel cheaply in order to maximise profits.
Two weeks ago, Namibian Sun reported on the arrest of a 32-year-old woman at Uuye-Wakapoko location in Ondangwa, who was charged with being in possession of over 200 litres of fuel without a valid permit.
Worrying trends
Reportedly, some police officers are allegedly also involved in using or selling illegal fuel that was confiscated during police operations.
It is alleged that some police officers confiscate illegal fuel and, instead of handing it over as evidence, they use it themselves or allegedly sell it to the community.
Oshana police regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria told Namibian Sun yesterday that a police officer in his region was arrested last year after stealing fuel from the warehouse where it was stored.
He emphasised that the police do not condone such criminal behaviour among its members.
Regarding the ongoing issue of smuggled fuel, Sakaria said law enforcement officials have made several arrests over the years and continue to combat the problem.
Heed the law
He urged community members to assist the police in addressing the issue.
“There is also a law. It's a contravention of the Petroleum and Energy Products Act 13 of 1990. It clearly spells out how the fuel should be transported and the storage of it thereof,” Sakaria explained.
“The danger is not just assumed, it is real. And we have practical examples of what happened. Not so long ago, two vehicles collided near Oshigambo, where one vehicle was carrying people and the other was carrying fuel. Those people were very unfortunate, and there was nothing bystanders could do – the fire was just too serious," the commissioner warned. He added that the problem is worsened by the nearby border.
“As you put it, this fuel is smuggled from Angola, and there is no problem with people travelling to Angola and filling up their cars. It is like travelling to any other country. But now, bringing it for commercial purposes, that is when you contravene the law and then you endanger the lives of other people.”
Economic impact
Sakaria added that the black market for fuel has a negative impact on Namibia's gross domestic product (GDP).
“The economic impact is there as well. When I was in Omafo the other day, there was a service station that closed down because of this situation,” he explained.
“Here in Oshana, the owners of the service station would call me because we collaborate with the community on these issues, and then they would be telling me about how difficult it is for them to do business. They employ people and they pay taxes to the government," he underlined.
“So it is a serious impact also on our GDP. So the efforts are endless."
Sakaria added that "in Oshana, unlike maybe in other regions, you will not find people filling up with bottles and cans along the road and so on because it is not allowed."
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