GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1166

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, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, is proposing to construct 220 apartments that will comprise of 2 and 3 bedroom units, in Embu Town and demolish the existing fifteen (2) bungalows on the site. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Solid waste generation • Ensure solid generated at the house units are regularly disposed of appropriately at authorized dumping areas. • Use of integrated solid waste management of options i.e. source reduction, recycling, composting and re- use, combustion and sanitary land filling. • Ensure the occupants of the units manage their wastes effectively. • A private company to be contracted to collect and dispose solid waste on regular basis. • Strict adherence to Waste Management Regulations, 2006. Release of sewage to the environment • Use of the existing sewer line for effluent disposal. • Apply for the license to NEMA for effluent disposal. • Conduct regular inspection for the system to ensure it works effectively. • Strict adherence to Water Quality Regulations, 2006. High demand for water • Create water conservation awareness. • Install a discharge meter at water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. • Ensure water taps are not running when not in use. • Residents to conserve water e.g. by avoiding unnecessary toilet flushing. • Promptly detect and repair of water pipes and tank leaks. Dust disturbance • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weather. • Regular sprinkling of water to be done on open surface and dusty grounds during dry season until paving is done. • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Covering of all haulage vehicles carrying sand, aggregate and cement. • Stockpiles of fine materials (e.g. sand and ballast) should be wetted or covered with tarpaulin during windy conditions. • Access roads and exposed ground must be wetted in a manner and at a frequency that effectively keeps down the dust. • Workers in dusty areas on the site should be issued with dust masks during dry and windy conditions. • Providing appropriate enclosure for the concrete mixer. • Use of dust nets at high levels of the building. • Comply with all the provisions of EMCA Air Quality Regulations (2014). Noise disturbance • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid running of vehicles engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas such as church, schools or hospitals. • Ensure the construction machinery are well kept in good condition • Sensitize construction drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines when not being used. • Trees to be planted on site to provide some buffer against noise propagation. • Ensure all generators and heavy machines are insulated or placed in an enclosure to minimize ambient noise levels. • Restrict noisy construction activities to normal working hours (8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.). • Inform local residents beforehand, via notices and advisories, of pending noisy periods and solicit their tolerance well before the commencement of piling works. • Workers operating equipment that generate noise should be equipped with THE KENYA GAZETTE 9th February, 2018 340 340 noise protection gear including ear muffs and plugs. Workers operating equipment generating noise levels greater than 80 dBA continuously for 8 hours or more should use earmuffs whereas those experiencing prolonged noise levels of 70 – 80 dBA should wear earplugs. • Limit pick-up trucks and other small equipment to an idling time of five minutes, observe a common-sense approach to vehicle use, and encourage workers to shut off vehicle engines whenever possible. • All construction equipment should be regularly inspected and serviced. • Adherence to Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2009. Traffic control • Issue notices/advisories of pending traffic inconveniences and solicit tolerance by local residents before the commencement of construction works. • As far as possible, transport of construction materials should be scheduled for off-peak traffic hours. • Appropriate traffic warning signs, informing road users of a construction site entrance ahead and instructing them to reduce speed, should be placed along the main road in the vicinity of the entrance to the site during the construction period. • Flagmen should be employed to control traffic and assist construction vehicles as they enter and exit the project site. • Maintain on site a record of incidents and accidents. Security • Ensure the general safety and security at all times by providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around the premise. Fire control • Fire extinguisher to be placed strategic positions. • Escape routes to be provided. • Servicing of fire extinguishers as is necessary. Always inspect electricity wires. High demand for electricity • Switch off electrical appliances and lights when not in use. • Install occupational sensing lights at various locations such as storage areas which are not in use all the time. • Install energy saving fluorescent tubes. • Monitor energy use during the operation of the project and set targets for efficient use. • Sensitize housing units occupants to use energy efficiently. Occupational health and safety • Engaging only those workers that are trained to operate specific machines and equipment. • Proper signage on site to warn workers of safety requirements as regards machines with moving parts and other equipment at site. • Provide a First Aid box and have a trained person to handle site emergencies and incidences. • Display site telephone numbers of ambulances or provide a site vehicle to specifically transport the injured to hospital. • Provide fire-fighting mechanism at site. Display emergency call numbers that can be used in case of a site fire. • Provide safe scaffoldings and railings at heights. • Provide washing (enclosed bathroom) and toilet facilities at site with both drinking and washing water. • Providing safety helmets, safety masks (welders), safety shoes (loaders), uniforms and hand gloves to the workers. • Using well-maintained equipment by qualified personnel. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126– 00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Embu County. The National Environment 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 of this project. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/4103615 National Environment Management Authority.