GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 11780

PURSUANT to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Gorofani Ent Limited proposes to set up an asbestos disposal site. The site is not for a one-off disposal and therefore the size/tons of asbestos to be disposed-off annually cannot be determined yet. The space site will be excavated for the specific disposal but strictly guided by the hydrological survey report by a registered hydrologist on the excavation depth. The excavated pit shall be marked with ‘danger sign’ on Mkondoni Sub-location, Langobaya Location, Malindi in Kilifi. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Habitat loss (flora and fauna) • Protect indigenous trees and other surrounding vegetation that need not be removed. • Minimize site clearance to only areas needed for excavations. 1st September, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures • Undertake continuous excavation of asbestos pits/cells that is excavation of any subsequent pit shall base on expected asbestos materials. • Plant trees around the perimeter fence and within some section of the site. • Cover any asbestos pit that is not full with polythene sheet and soil 1m above the buried asbestos and seal the cell with concrete material as it awaits more asbestos materials to be concluded as full. Safety and health risks • Comply with Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • Training the workers on the potential health risk caused by exposure to asbestos and how to reduce these risks. • The asbestos removal and disposal workers shall be trained on safe asbestos handling techniques. • Notify workers about the upcoming disposal activity and the safety requirements. • Prepare appropriate PPE. • PPEs shall be of single use and shall be used once and disposed with asbestos materials. • Post appropriate signpost of the site that will inform the workers of key rules to follow. • Put in place an appropriate emergency and incident response plan. Waste generation • Train cleaning and maintenance workers on the need for proper waste management. • Minimize waste generation, segregate general and hazardous waste in color coded refuse bins. • Any waste/material contaminated with asbestos shall out rightly be disposed of in asbestos pit. Release of hazardous asbestos fibre during disposal activity. • The onsite and offsite disposal sites shall be marked clearly as asbestos hazard area in accordance with the National Guidelines on Safe Management and Disposal of Asbestos. • The asbestos prior to removal shall be treated with a wetting agent to minimize asbestos dust. • Asbestos shall be handled and disposed by trained and experienced professionals. • If asbestos material is being stored temporarily, the wastes shall be securely enclosed in closed containments secured and marked appropriately. • The removed asbestos will not be reused or recycled in anyway. • The asbestos materials removed shall be buried onsite/offsite based on the clients preference. • Removal including onsite/offsite disposal of asbestos shall be subjected to environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003. Traffic and pedestrian safety • Signposting, warning signs, barriers and traffic diversions: site should be clearly visible and the workers warned of all potential hazards. • Provision of safe passages and crossings for pedestrians be made. • Train staff at the site on safe and convenient passage at the work place. • Ensuring safe and continuous access to office facilities, shops and residences during disposal and cleaning activities, if the facility is in operation during this activity. Impacts Mitigation Measures • The disposal and cleaning activities should be limited from 7 a.m. or sunrise (whichever is later) to 5 p.m. or sunset. • Inspections should be done to ensure that temporary storage site and work environment is cleaned to a satisfaction standard. Air pollution • Establish simple air quality monitoring that ensures the outputs of the monitoring process are maintained and utilized in improving. • Appoint a dust monitoring agent/lab to monitor and analyze dust and air quality. • Air monitoring should be done continuously in areas related to asbestos removal works. Contamination of storm water • Ensure all storm water from the site is directed towards the established water drains. Hygiene and sanitation hazards • Provide washrooms, bathrooms and changing rooms within the facility. • Provide truck wash bay for cleaning asbestos transportation vehicles. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Foresty, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00200, Nairobi (d) Director General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (e) County Director of Environment, Malindi County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environmental Management Authority, invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director General, NEMA to assist the Authority in the decision making process for this project. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B, MAMO, Director-General, MR/5175668 National Environment Management Authority.