GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 7661

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, Nitro Chemicals Limited is proposing to construct mining explosives storage facility. The project will involve the construction and operation of two (2) go-downs (will house ammonium nitrate) and three (3) explosive magazines holding capacity of 100 tons (one will house detonators and the other two gelignite materials), office/store, truck parking area, guard house, water storage tank, fire assembly area and other associated facilities and amenities. The proposed project will be located on Plot L.R. No. Kawala “A’/405’ in Kokotoni, Kilifi County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: 9th June, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Change in land use • Apply for and obtain a change of user from the County Government of Kilifi. Loss of vegetation cover • Landscaping where necessary after completion of the project. Security risks • Secure the facility by erecting a perimeter stone wall and installing chain links. • Deploy adequate security marshals and sensitize them on insecurity emergency responses. • Develop and implement an effective alarm system for the facility. • Comply with the rules of physical security of stocks. Fire risks and emergencies • Ensure the explosives are not stored directly against interior wall for ventilation. • Develop, clearly display and implement a fire and emergency evacuation procedure. • Ensure access to the facility is effectively controlled to limit exposure to hazards. • Provide adequate firefighting equipment and ensure are serviced regularly. • Display emergency exits, warning signage and clearly mark fire assembly points. • Conduct annual fire safety audit and regular fire drills. • Comply with the provisions of Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. Safety and health risks • Register the site as a workplace with the DOSHS. • Obtain insurance cover for the workers at the site. • Provide and keep an accident/ incident register. • Conduct risk assessment audits annually. • Provide adequate and appropriate PPEs to workers and enforce on their use. • Ensure that barrels of explosives are securely fixed and wedged. • Ensure on arrival, explosives are transferred without delay to the place of storage. • Comply with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • Comply with provisions of Explosives (Blasting explosives) Rules, Cap. 115, 1962. • Comply with the provisions of the Mining Act, 2016. Air and noise pollution • Sprinkle water on unpaved access areas to suppress dust. • Use efficient equipment to minimize noise and air pollution. • Conduct quarterly ambient air and noise monitoring in collaboration with a NEMA designated laboratory. • Comply with the Air Quality Regulations, 2014. • Comply with the Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution (Control) Regulations, Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures 2009. Water demand and wastewater management • Install automatic water faucets. • Create awareness on water conservation. • Apply for and obtain permit to drill and abstract water from WRA. • Install a bio-digester to manage effluent • Comply with the (Water Quality) Regulations, 2006. Storm water and drainage management • Provide adequate drainage systems to minimize and control run-off. • Limit access road gradients to reduce run- off induced erosion. • Provide effective measures for slope stabilization and subsidence control. Solid waste management • Sensitize workers on integrated solid waste management and its importance. • Provide adequate solid waste collection bins with capacity of segregation. • Procure the services of a NEMA licensed waste handler to dispose the solid waste. • Comply with the provisions of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kilifi County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke 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 regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/5182724 National Environment Management.