Namibia’s energy minister confirmed the removal of Maggy Shino as the country’s Petroleum Commissioner, ending months of speculation but did not provide the reasons for her demotion, a statement from the minister’s office said.
Shino, who helped shape Namibia’s oil and gas regulatory framework as the southern African country works towards its first oil production by 2030, was relieved of her duties effective June 2.
She has been replaced in an acting capacity by Aune Amutenya, who previously worked as a deputy director of petroleum exploration and production in the ministry.
Shino remains a director in the upstream petroleum unit, a newly created unit in the office of the president.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is pushing for wide-ranging changes to energy regulations that would give statutory recognition to the upstream unit and also do away with the position of petroleum commissioner, among other amendments.
