Paper factory in the pipeline
No indication has been given of where the trees for the factory will be sourced from.
CATHERINE SASMAN
A company called Tree Africa Manufacturing is planning to construct and operate a paper processing plant at Outjo for local consumption and exports.
A background information document on the proposed project, provided by FPM Consulting Services, which was appointed to carry out an environmental assessment study, states that the initiative will go a long way towards developing manufacturing industries in Namibia “since most players in the business are importing paper”.
FPM Consulting and Tree Africa held a community meeting at Outjo on 25 April, where residents expressed concern over the rate of water consumption and the disposal of chemically-contaminated wastewater emanating from the project.
The residents are also concerned about the sourcing of water to be used in the project, as well as the site allocation, and wanted to know if the project will create employment for locals.
They are also concerned over the potential water, soil, noise and air pollution emanating from the manufacturing plant.
Internet information on water use and wastewater treatment in pulp and paper industries revealed that about 85% of the water consumed is used only for processing, which leads to large volumes of wastewater.
The proposed manufacturing plant will be on an erf in the Outjo townlands, about 1.5 kilometres outside the central part of the town.
The development of the project involves the preparation of the land for the construction and actual operation of a charcoal processing and packaging facility.
The document provided by FPM Consulting does not spell out where the wood or water resources will be sourced from, but says the proposed infrastructure will have minimal impacts on water, as well as fauna and flora.
A 1.7-kilometre pipeline will be constructed, which FPM Consulting Services acknowledged can potentially have an impact on the environment.
Other impacts alluded to in the information document include a change of land use and vegetation clearance, loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction and water and soil pollution from the construction and operational activities.
It does promise employment-creation for local residents, local industry development and value-addition to resources.
A company called Tree Africa Manufacturing is planning to construct and operate a paper processing plant at Outjo for local consumption and exports.
A background information document on the proposed project, provided by FPM Consulting Services, which was appointed to carry out an environmental assessment study, states that the initiative will go a long way towards developing manufacturing industries in Namibia “since most players in the business are importing paper”.
FPM Consulting and Tree Africa held a community meeting at Outjo on 25 April, where residents expressed concern over the rate of water consumption and the disposal of chemically-contaminated wastewater emanating from the project.
The residents are also concerned about the sourcing of water to be used in the project, as well as the site allocation, and wanted to know if the project will create employment for locals.
They are also concerned over the potential water, soil, noise and air pollution emanating from the manufacturing plant.
Internet information on water use and wastewater treatment in pulp and paper industries revealed that about 85% of the water consumed is used only for processing, which leads to large volumes of wastewater.
The proposed manufacturing plant will be on an erf in the Outjo townlands, about 1.5 kilometres outside the central part of the town.
The development of the project involves the preparation of the land for the construction and actual operation of a charcoal processing and packaging facility.
The document provided by FPM Consulting does not spell out where the wood or water resources will be sourced from, but says the proposed infrastructure will have minimal impacts on water, as well as fauna and flora.
A 1.7-kilometre pipeline will be constructed, which FPM Consulting Services acknowledged can potentially have an impact on the environment.
Other impacts alluded to in the information document include a change of land use and vegetation clearance, loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction and water and soil pollution from the construction and operational activities.
It does promise employment-creation for local residents, local industry development and value-addition to resources.
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