The project's objective is to obtain an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Commissioner, as required by the Environmental Management Act (EMA), 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007), and its EIA Regulations of 2012. The primary purpose is to transform a 13.75-hectare decommissioned building rubble dumpsite, currently zoned as "Undetermined," into a productive asset. The core technical activities involve: Decommissioning: The formal closure of the landfill site to prevent any further dumping. Rehabilitation & Restoration: The physical process of cleaning and restoring the land, which includes waste removal, land grading, and the application of suitable growth media to support new land use. Rezoning: A formal application to change the land's official designation to "Agriculture and Recreation (Sporting)" to allow for the development of community vegetable gardens and sporting facilities. The EIA process itself serves as the methodology for evaluating all potential impacts. It considers technical alternatives, with the "no-go" option being rejected due to the negative environmental and socio-economic consequences of leaving the site unrehabilitated. The project is justified as it not only mitigates an existing environmental liability but also aligns with national policies for sustainable development by creating jobs, generating revenue, and providing community infrastructure.
This EIA Report is/was listed currently or previously for Public Comment on the Department of Environmental Affairs ECC Portal https://eia.meft.gov.na/. You can search the eLibrary for all EIA reports for public comment here, track the progress of EIAs in Namibia using the EIA Tracker website on https://eia-tracker.org.na and you can learn more about the EIA process in Namibia here.