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{
    "id": 606562,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/606562/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 32,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
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    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the Environmental Impact Assessment process, the residents were consulted in which the impacts associated with the process were outlined. The public was encouraged to give comments on how best to manage the operations with the view of minimizing the negative impacts. The EIA Report for the facility was subjected to a public hearing which was held on 6th November, 2014. The investor was given an opportunity to explain to the public about the facility including the risks associated with its activities. The second question was whether the environmental impact assessment was exhaustively conducted. The Environmental Impact Assessment which I referred to as EIA was exhaustively done. It was subjected to all EIA steps as outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations of 2006. This was done as follows:- The investor initially conducted an environmental assessment and submitted a project report to NEMA on 12th May, 2014. The report was reviewed and due to the risks associated with the proposed project, the investor was advised to upgrade the assessment of the EIA study which allows for an in-depth assessment and wider public consultations. On submission of the study report, NEMA organized a public hearing to discuss the assessment. Public hearing of the EIA process is where all stakeholders and owners of the project impact decide on the way forward concerning the proposed project. The public hearing of the establishment of Ganesh Eco Solutions was well attended with the area Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. John Karanja Kiagi, area Member of County Assembly (MCA), Hon. Samuel Waithuku and the Director of Environment, Nakuru County in attendance. The members present resolved that NEMA should license the factory. The factory was therefore then licensed on 27th May, 2014 with clear conditions aimed at safeguarding the workers, the environment and the general public. The third question from the Senator is whether, in view of the health hazards posed by similar factories elsewhere in the country, a new factory should be allowed to commence operations. Recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste in the environment and the risks associated with it. In the absence of recycling factories, items that have reached their end of life such as old car batteries, old computers and other recyclable waste will be left to litter the environment or be disposed of in dumpsites. This would pose a bigger threat to human beings and the environment since their contents will pollute ground water, surface water, air and the soil. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is in order to license new factories to recycle hazardous waste as long as they adhere to the set operation procedures and implementation of the proposed mitigation measures to minimize adverse effects on the environment and the general public or risk closure if the conditions imposed are violated. For instance, the company was issued with a closure notice on 4th May, 2015 due to non- compliance with all license conditions and standard operating procedures of all the high risk facilities of this nature."
}