Compliance with Environmental Act still a challenge
Although there has been an increase in applications for environmental clearance, compliance with the Environmental Act remains a major challenge for the environment ministry.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says the ministry continues to see some activities being conducted without environmental clearance.
Shifeta was addressing staff members during his 2020 opening speech last week.
He said the launch of an online application system for environmental clearance certificate was one of the highlights last year.
According to him, that has made the environmental clearance application process more rigorous, efficient, transparent and client friendly.
But a number of challenges linked to the Environmental Management Act remain.
“We have all seen the illegal sand mining and timber harvesting that has been taking place while the state of the majority of waste-disposal sites around the country continues to be deplorable.”
Shifeta said the monitoring and enforcement of compliance of the Act needs to be strengthened.
He further added that the ministry needs to work with the police and the office of the prosecutor-general to ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
“Furthermore, we need cooperation from all state organs to enforce compliance. All competent authorities should understand that the ministry does not prevent development of any sort, but the ministry has a constitutional mandate to prevent any violation of our environmental law in the whole Namibia.”
He said in terms of waste management, the national clean-up campaign of 2019 was a resounding success and is something that needs to be built on to make it bigger and better.
“We will continue to strengthen awareness to change the behaviour and mind-set of our citizens when it comes to preventing littering.”
Shifeta added that the ministry would continue to work with local authorities and regional councils to ensure that standards of waste management at waste disposal sites and general waste management infrastructure are improved across the country.
ELLANIE SMIT
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says the ministry continues to see some activities being conducted without environmental clearance.
Shifeta was addressing staff members during his 2020 opening speech last week.
He said the launch of an online application system for environmental clearance certificate was one of the highlights last year.
According to him, that has made the environmental clearance application process more rigorous, efficient, transparent and client friendly.
But a number of challenges linked to the Environmental Management Act remain.
“We have all seen the illegal sand mining and timber harvesting that has been taking place while the state of the majority of waste-disposal sites around the country continues to be deplorable.”
Shifeta said the monitoring and enforcement of compliance of the Act needs to be strengthened.
He further added that the ministry needs to work with the police and the office of the prosecutor-general to ensure that offenders are prosecuted.
“Furthermore, we need cooperation from all state organs to enforce compliance. All competent authorities should understand that the ministry does not prevent development of any sort, but the ministry has a constitutional mandate to prevent any violation of our environmental law in the whole Namibia.”
He said in terms of waste management, the national clean-up campaign of 2019 was a resounding success and is something that needs to be built on to make it bigger and better.
“We will continue to strengthen awareness to change the behaviour and mind-set of our citizens when it comes to preventing littering.”
Shifeta added that the ministry would continue to work with local authorities and regional councils to ensure that standards of waste management at waste disposal sites and general waste management infrastructure are improved across the country.
ELLANIE SMIT
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