Presidency says Dangote terminal launch is not environmental approval
Namibia's Presidency says President Nandi-Ndaitwah's attendance at the N$41-billion fuel terminal launch does not replace the required environmental assessment.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the launch of the N$41-billion Aliko Dangote fuel terminal, but the Office of the President says that did not amount to environmental approval. The office told The Namibian on Sunday that the project has yet to go through the required environmental assessment, public consultation and regulatory approval.
Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the president's participation at the Farm 58 site in Walvis Bay expressed government support for strategic investment. He said it should not be read as environmental authorisation or an exemption from statutory requirements. The project, which Dangote Group began building last week, is designed to store at least 1.6 million barrels of petrol and diesel.
Mbambo said the project must comply with the Environmental Management Act of 2007 and that government support does not replace those processes or predetermine their outcomes. The Presidency also said Namibia faces pressing unemployment and limited economic opportunities, and that such investments could create jobs and strengthen infrastructure.
Why it mattersThe terminal must still pass environmental assessment and public consultation under the Environmental Management Act of 2007 before it can be approved, and the project is designed to supply several southern African countries with fuel.