NEMA gives away part of city wetland
Nov 14, 2010
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has approved the highly contested expansion of the National Housing and Corporation housing estate into a wetland at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala.
By Gerald Tenywa
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has approved the highly contested expansion of the National Housing and Corporation housing estate into a wetland at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala.
The swamp, located between Kampala city and Lake Victoria, cleans waste water such as industrial effluent before releasing the clean water into Lake Victoria.
“We approved the housing project after doing an environment impact assessment,†said Naome Karekaho, the NEMA spokesperson.
“It is the LCs, who are constructing a road to connect to Luthuli Avenue, who are degrading the swamp and have been told to stop.â€
Karekaho said NEMA’s team that has been on the ground proved that the housing project is far from the wetland.
The development had been contested on grounds that it encroached on part of the precious wetland, an arm of the Nakivubo swamp.
In a letter of July 19, Paul Mafabi, the wetlands commissioner, had advised the corporation to stop the project.
Mafabi noted that the company owned land on Plot 1-5 St. Kizito Close in Bugolobi, but much of it lies in the swamp. He also reminded the company that such land should be used in accordance with the National Environment Act of 2000 or any other relevant law.
The letter was copied to NEMA, the Nakawa Division resident district commissioner, the principal town clerk and environment officer.
But the graders never stopped, according to Mafabi. NEMA granted the permission soon afterwards, in a process, Mafabi referred to as “rushed.â€
“We contested, but now they have the permit from NEMA. What was the basis for approval?†he asked on Thursday.
The project, according to Mafabi, also violated the 30 meters protection zone for wetlands under the National Environment Act 2000.
“Although NEMA blames the LCs for encroaching, it is the Wetlands Management Department that has written to them (LCs) to stop. NEMA has not even sent them a restoration order. The whole area is being degraded by LCs and National Housing.â€
The Government owns 49% shares in the corporation. The rest of the shares are owned by the Libyan government.
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has approved the highly contested expansion of the National Housing and Corporation housing estate into a wetland at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala.
The swamp, located between Kampala city and Lake Victoria, cleans waste water such as industrial effluent before releasing the clean water into Lake Victoria.
“We approved the housing project after doing an environment impact assessment,†said Naome Karekaho, the NEMA spokesperson.
“It is the LCs, who are constructing a road to connect to Luthuli Avenue, who are degrading the swamp and have been told to stop.â€
Karekaho said NEMA’s team that has been on the ground proved that the housing project is far from the wetland.
The development had been contested on grounds that it encroached on part of the precious wetland, an arm of the Nakivubo swamp.
In a letter of July 19, Paul Mafabi, the wetlands commissioner, had advised the corporation to stop the project.
Mafabi noted that the company owned land on Plot 1-5 St. Kizito Close in Bugolobi, but much of it lies in the swamp. He also reminded the company that such land should be used in accordance with the National Environment Act of 2000 or any other relevant law.
The letter was copied to NEMA, the Nakawa Division resident district commissioner, the principal town clerk and environment officer.
But the graders never stopped, according to Mafabi. NEMA granted the permission soon afterwards, in a process, Mafabi referred to as “rushed.â€
“We contested, but now they have the permit from NEMA. What was the basis for approval?†he asked on Thursday.
The project, according to Mafabi, also violated the 30 meters protection zone for wetlands under the National Environment Act 2000.
“Although NEMA blames the LCs for encroaching, it is the Wetlands Management Department that has written to them (LCs) to stop. NEMA has not even sent them a restoration order. The whole area is being degraded by LCs and National Housing.â€
The Government owns 49% shares in the corporation. The rest of the shares are owned by the Libyan government.