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The
People have Spoken. Now Listen and Act!!!
On the 27th March 2003, Education
Minister John Carmichael led a highly emotional delegation of interested
and affected parties at an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping
meeting to oppose the proposed Chipping Plant and Pulp Mill within the
premises of the Swazi Paper Mills near Matsapha industrial sites.
A side view of Swazi
Paper Mills in Matsapha Industrial Sites |
Minister Carmichael and approximately
forty other interested and affected parties strongly objected the proposed
development arguing that the proposed development would have an adverse
and extremely serious environmental impact |
on an area that they already consider
to be an environmental disaster. "The levels of pollution and contamination
have reached such critical and alarming proportions that we strongly urge
His Majesty’s Government to declare the Swazi Paper Mills vicinity and
surrounding areas as an area that should be given the highest priority
for environmental rehabilitation," lamented the Minister.
Effluet from a nearby Paper
Millr released into the Lushushwana river |
In the last quarter of 2002,
there were reports that the Lushushwana River, which runs along the Swazi
Paper Mills, was highly contaminated and residents suspected the company
as responsible. Members of the Masundviwini and Hlambeni communities alleged
that their domestic water was polluted as a result of Swazi Paper Mills.
"Swazi Paper Mills has been releasing effluents into the Lushushwana |
River and our domestic water
is now contaminated," Siboniso Gumbi, a community representative said.
"There is no longer any aquatic life in the river and communities are prone
to water borne diseases such as cholera," he added. Interested and affected
parties spoke in a uniform voice that Swazi Paper Mills should start by
addressing the myriad of concerns raised under the existing paper mill
before looking into the proposed project.
Interested and affected objected
the proposed chipping plant and pulp mill citing various reasons which
include among others:
The high levels of sulphur dioxide
and methyl mecaptans will have a negative impact on the health of communities.
This will give rise to high incidences of respiratory ailments
There is no guarantee that the
plant will release effluent into the Lushushwana River that will meet environmental
standards.
The emissions from burning fossil
fuels will adversely reduce visibility around surrounding areas and disrupt
aviation traffic. This can cause catastrophic accidents for the nearby
communities.
The haulage of the raw materials
will result in an increase in heavy traffic and congestion.
The proposed development will
adversely affect tourism in the area. Exclusive Resorts (PTY) has been
granted a Casino License to operate adjacent to the proposed mill.
The proposed development would
dump its solid wastes at the Matsapha dumpsite. This facility does not
meet the requirements of the Swaziland Environmental Authority Act and
the Waste Regulations of 2000. The poor location and management of this
site is currently causing untold health problems for the Matsapha community
and surrounding areas.
The proposed chipping and pulp
mill is serious threat and undermines the development of residential development
adjacent to the site, namely Nokwane Township.
According to Swazi Paper Mills
Group Environmental Officer Almarie Stamp, the proposed pulp mill will
employ more than 100 people. She stated that the proposed development represents
a significant investment and development in the area. The minister said
"The time has come for us to weigh the benefit of job creation as opposed
to the negative impact of pollution on the environment and the health of
the people. While encouraging new investments, it is essential to look
at potential environmental threats that the project may pose." "This proposed
industry pollutes the total environment, he added. Meanwhile,
Mr Siboniso Gumbi said that
the existing paper mill has no regard for human life and the quality of
life of the community.
Paper effluent dumped adjacent
to the mill |
"A community poultry project
had to be shut down because health inspectors found the water too contaminated
and resulted in chickens dying," Gumbi said. A local farmer stated that
his cattle were dying as a result of contaminated water. " When I slaughter
my beasts, I find a thick layer of paper fibre in their stomach |
and this comes from the effluent
Swazi Paper Mills releases in the river, he said." "The people have spoken!
As a 'watchdog' organisation we will be monitoring the process and ensure
that the Swaziland Environmental Authority takes these submissions seriously,"
stated Mr. Samuel Payne, Campaigns Coordinator of Yonge Nawe.
"We now have the Environmental
Management Act of 2002 that provides rights and responsibilities of interested
and affected parties. This provides a clear framework for environmental
injustices not to occur," he added.
Poor quality of drinking water
and air pollution is a problem that Swaziland needs to give high priority.
Yonge Nawe is encouraging the public to participate in EIA Scoping processes.
Will this development be opposed
or will politics rear its ugly head? Send your comments or views to Yonge
Nawe.
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