Fisheries resist seabed mining
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) is to challenge the controversial issuing of an environmental clearance certificate for an offshore phosphate mining operation near Walvis Bay.
In a letter sent on Friday to the office of environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila, Sisa Namandje, acting on behalf of the fishing confederation, demanded a detailed list of documents on which the issuing of the environmental clearance certificate was based.
“Because of massive prejudices that our client is likely to suffer on account of your decision and the public interest in the matter we kindly request you to attend to our request on an urgent basis,” the letter stated.
A deadline was set for today at noon to supply the documents.
Namandje states in the letter that the CNFA is “deeply and painfully aggrieved by your decision and wish to take urgent appellate and / or review
steps.”
Yesterday, Namandje confirmed that the CNFA was prepared to take legal steps should Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) start with mining activities.
The environmental clearance certificate for NMP''s Sandpiper Project was quietly issued on 5 September and affected parties had only 14 days to appeal the decision.
The shock revelation last week that the certificate had been issued without a public announcement prompted widespread condemnation, including from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
In a letter issued last week Wednesday, acting permanent secretary Ueritjiua Kauaria said the fisheries ministry was shocked when it heard the news.
An online petition, titled ''Namibia: Say no to Marine Phosphate Mining'', which has gained hundreds of signatures since last week, condemns phosphate mining and warns of its potentially deadly impact on the marine environment.
In the letter sent to Nghitila on Friday, and copied in to the minister of environment and tourism, the minister of mines and energy, NMP and the attorney-general, the CNFA demands proof of a list of steps as required by the Environmental Management Act before a clearance certificate can be issued.
The letter demands that Nghitila provide proof that “you consulted all interested parties including our client as contemplated in the Act.”
Moreover, the environmental commissioner is asked to provide proof of whether he advised all stakeholders including CNFA of his decision, as per the Act.
The CNFA is also demanding proof of notification of the final decision to the competent authority, as required by the Act.
JANA-MARI SMITH
In a letter sent on Friday to the office of environmental commissioner Teofilus Nghitila, Sisa Namandje, acting on behalf of the fishing confederation, demanded a detailed list of documents on which the issuing of the environmental clearance certificate was based.
“Because of massive prejudices that our client is likely to suffer on account of your decision and the public interest in the matter we kindly request you to attend to our request on an urgent basis,” the letter stated.
A deadline was set for today at noon to supply the documents.
Namandje states in the letter that the CNFA is “deeply and painfully aggrieved by your decision and wish to take urgent appellate and / or review
steps.”
Yesterday, Namandje confirmed that the CNFA was prepared to take legal steps should Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) start with mining activities.
The environmental clearance certificate for NMP''s Sandpiper Project was quietly issued on 5 September and affected parties had only 14 days to appeal the decision.
The shock revelation last week that the certificate had been issued without a public announcement prompted widespread condemnation, including from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
In a letter issued last week Wednesday, acting permanent secretary Ueritjiua Kauaria said the fisheries ministry was shocked when it heard the news.
An online petition, titled ''Namibia: Say no to Marine Phosphate Mining'', which has gained hundreds of signatures since last week, condemns phosphate mining and warns of its potentially deadly impact on the marine environment.
In the letter sent to Nghitila on Friday, and copied in to the minister of environment and tourism, the minister of mines and energy, NMP and the attorney-general, the CNFA demands proof of a list of steps as required by the Environmental Management Act before a clearance certificate can be issued.
The letter demands that Nghitila provide proof that “you consulted all interested parties including our client as contemplated in the Act.”
Moreover, the environmental commissioner is asked to provide proof of whether he advised all stakeholders including CNFA of his decision, as per the Act.
The CNFA is also demanding proof of notification of the final decision to the competent authority, as required by the Act.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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