After gaining independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia began the long process of creating a new system of government and redressing the social and economic injustices incurred during a century of colonial rule. Since then, the development of new infrastructure and the provision of land, water, Mineral and occupation rights have intensified. Hundreds of kilometres of roads have been built or resurfaced. The country's two harbours have been deepened, towns and cities are expanding, new power-supply projects are under way, and new boreholes, dams, canals and pipelines are being developed to supply escalating demands for water. Consequently, the need for proper planning and accountability, using environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a tool, is more important now than ever before.