|
|
|
|
| National |
| Heavy fines for pollutants |
|
by
Edyth Betha, 03 October 2003
-
10:51:58
|
Government has warned all institutions that deal with the environment that they risk stiff penalties for polluting the environment, in accordance with the Environment Management Act.
Briefing the press on Wednesday, Secretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs George Mkondiwa said industries that are destroying the environment risk a fine of up to K1 million.
“Government put in place environmental officers in each district officer’s office to monitor environmental problems in that particular district. The Environment Management Act (EMA), has been there for the past seven years but people tend to disregard it,” said Mkondiwa.
Head of Environmental Impact Assessment at the ministry Yanira Mtupanyama said companies are required to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before starting their businesses.
“Most people look at it as extra work and they don’t submit EIAs so the ministry has problems because [the people] end up mismanaging and degrading the environment,” said Mtupanyama.
She added that EIAs are there to protect the environment because an environment which suffers from degradation affects a lot of people.
The officials also emphasised the need for people to stop indulging in the production and use of charcoal, especially that which is made from unsustainable resources, in an effort to preserve the environment.
Deputy Director of Energy Affairs Harry Chitenje said government is working towards facilitating sustainable and reliable alternatives to charcoal both in rural and urban areas.
“We have introduced Gelfuel, an agro-based fuel made from industrial alcohol mixed with pulp in gel form. Government is assisting in facilitating the promotion of this product to substitute charcoal and wood,” said Chitenje.
Gelfuel, which was launched two weeks ago, will have other alternatives to suit the different levels of incomes of Malawians.
“Soon we will be launching another alternative known as ‘Bluewave’ which is made from compressed ethanol and burns like Gelfuel,” he said.
He pointed out that Gelfuel neither smells nor produces smoke and goes along with stoves which can be produced by Malawians locally.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
