Look before 0 The issue of an environmental clearance certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP) to start phosphate mining by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has erupted into a tussle between that ministry and Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau. Attempts by Esau to debate the licence controversy in Parliament this past Thursday, was quashed by Deputy Speaker Loide Kasingo, leading to the dramatic walkout of opposition leaders McHenry Venaani and Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua. While the controversy has exposed the simmering fundamental differences between these two essential ministries, this is not what matters to the people of Namibia. We question whether we are trading these ministries'' battles for supremacy or for the debilitating risks associated with phosphate mining? Thursday''s utterances in Parliament were quelled by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila before reaching a tipping point. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The future of the fishing industry and our entire marine ecosystem no doubt, is on tenterhooks. It is time that the government pronounces its stance on phosphate mining, the people are waiting in suspense to hear whether the decision will serve the interests of the majority of the people in Namibia – those same people who are supposed to benefit from the resources – according to the constitutional provisions on the management of these resources. Considering the negative consequences associated with phosphate mining, we question the agenda behind granting the clearance certificate. Should we endanger Namibia''s entire marine ecosystem to serve the interests of a few investors and bear the brunt of the debilitating consequences of marine phosphate mining? Even mature economies have shunned and banned phosphate mining! Namibia has a fishing industry that makes a huge contribution to the country''s GDP; it puts bread on the tables of thousands of Namibians. New Zealand has seen the effects of phosphate mining on the island of Nauru, which is in close proximity to them, now they are delighted at our decision – we wonder why? It defies logic that these threats are ignored to line the pockets of a few greedy individuals.Look before 0 The issue of an environmental clearance certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP) to start phosphate mining by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has erupted into a tussle between that ministry and Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau. Attempts by Esau to debate the licence controversy in Parliament this past Thursday, was quashed by Deputy Speaker Loide Kasingo, leading to the dramatic walkout of opposition leaders McHenry Venaani and Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua. While the controversy has exposed the simmering fundamental differences between these two essential ministries, this is not what matters to the people of Namibia. We question whether we are trading these ministries'' battles for supremacy or for the debilitating risks associated with phosphate mining? Thursday''s utterances in Parliament were quelled by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila before reaching a tipping point. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The future of the fishing industry and our entire marine ecosystem no doubt, is on tenterhooks. It is time that the government pronounces its stance on phosphate mining, the people are waiting in suspense to hear whether the decision will serve the interests of the majority of the people in Namibia – those same people who are supposed to benefit from the resources – according to the constitutional provisions on the management of these resources. Considering the negative consequences associated with phosphate mining, we question the agenda behind granting the clearance certificate. Should we endanger Namibia''s entire marine ecosystem to serve the interests of a few investors and bear the brunt of the debilitating consequences of marine phosphate mining? Even mature economies have shunned and banned phosphate mining! Namibia has a fishing industry that makes a huge contribution to the country''s GDP; it puts bread on the tables of thousands of Namibians. New Zealand has seen the effects of phosphate mining on the island of Nauru, which is in close proximity to them, now they are delighted at our decision – we wonder why? It defies logic that these threats are ignored to line the pockets of a few greedy individuals.