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Born into a working-class family in St. John’s, Antigua, Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. emerged as a transformative figure in the nation’s history through his dedication to trade unionism and public service. He began his career as a Salvation Army officer, showcasing an early commitment to the well-being of his community. This commitment deepened as he became a leading advocate for workers’ rights, founding the Antigua Trades and Labour Union in 1939. His leadership in the union marked the start of a lifelong effort to improve living standards and create opportunities for the people of Antigua.

Bird’s journey in public service gained momentum in the 1940s when he was elected to the national legislature. His leadership reached a historic milestone on 1 November 1981, when he became the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda following its independence. During his tenure, Bird focused on modernising infrastructure, expanding access to education, and diversifying the economy, strongly emphasising developing the tourism sector. Serving as Prime Minister until 1994, he became one of the Caribbean’s longest-serving leaders, leaving a lasting legacy of progress and nation-building.

V.C. Bird Day, celebrated annually, invites Antiguans and Barbudans to reflect on their nation’s journey to independence and the principles Bird championed – unity, progress, and equality. The day is marked by official ceremonies, cultural events, and educational programmes honouring Bird’s transformative contributions and inspiring future generations to carry forward his vision for a thriving and inclusive nation.

Namibia’s cabinet has approved the National Upstream Local Content Policy, a transformative measure to reduce dependence on foreign expertise and strengthen local capacity within the oil and gas sector. The policy seeks to foster economic sovereignty by integrating Namibian businesses and workers into the petroleum value chain, ensuring that the country’s growing oil potential directly benefits its citizens.

Aligned with Namibia’s broader development objectives, such as Vision 2030, the policy requires oil operators to submit detailed Local Content Plans outlining their commitments to local employment, procurement, and workforce training. It also establishes a transparent regulatory framework to attract investment while supporting sustainable development and energy independence.

Namibia is targeting its first oil production by 2029, with significant discoveries in the Orange Basin, including Graff-1X and Venus-1X, spearheaded by international firms such as TotalEnergies, Shell, and Galp Energias. The African Energy Chamber has commended the policy as a model for other African nations, striking a balance between empowering local stakeholders and fostering international collaboration to drive long-term economic growth and job creation.

Read the original article here: https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/namibias-cabinet-approves-upstream-local-content-policy-marking-a-turning-point-for-the-industry?lang=en