Human population growth, rapid urbanization and technological development as well as modern economic activities are some of the contributing factors to increasing pollution risks and the volumes and variety of waste generated in Namibia. Current legislation pertaining to pollution control and waste management is fragmented and inadequate. Several ministries with little or no coordination between them administer these laws.

The Pollution Control and Waste Management Programme, which commenced in late 1999, and which is scheduled for completion by late 2001, can be seen as the capacity-building programme for implementing the coming new legislation (refer also to DEAs legislation programme).

Five areas are focused: basic waste management; hazardous waste management; water pollution; public awareness/information; and the general implementation of the coming new legislation/institutional structures.

Current activities

Based on the identification of 25 relevant stakeholders and an analysis of what they currently are doing and what they should be doing to achieve the anticipated targets, around 40 activities have emerged as wished project activities. About 20 activities are defined as short-term activities, which should be well started and in some case completed within the current period of the programme. The other long-term activities need more time. They are scheduled for a second phase, which is currently being negotiated.

The establishment of improved pollution and waste management data and waste management strategies, the economics of waste, initiation of “NamWaste”, medical waste, awareness/information, the completion of the legislation and the institutional arrangements, are key pillars for the short term activities.

“NamWaste” is the working title for the conceptual project idea on clarifying the feasibility of creating a new functional service provision system in Namibia. It has the potential to create around 2000 new jobs within the waste management sector in Namibia.

Linked partners and funding

NORAD (Norwegian Agency For Development Cooperation) and the Namibian Government have provided the funding. Under this arrangement, The Norwegian State Pollution Control Authority  has provided a resident advisor for the programme.

Staff

Project co-ordinator: Teofilus Nghitila;  nghitila@dea.met.gov.na