WALVIS BAY – The dangerous goods that a local company proposes to store temporarily at the old disused military bunker just outside Walvis Bay has caused quite a stir at the coastal town of Walvis Bay.
As the company, Native Storage Facility, has insisted the dangerous goods are already being stored within the town boundaries of Walvis Bay, thereby creating a safety and a health hazard for the town’s residents, New Era’s Senior Business Reporter, Edgar Brandt (NE) recently sat down with the Managing Director of EnviroSolutions, Allan Jenneker (AJ), who is completing the Environmental Impact Assessment for Native Storage Facility the company that intends to store the toxic material at the coast.
NE: Can you give us a bit of background on Native Storage Facility?
AJ: Native Storage Facility is a 100 percent Namibian entity, registered with the appropriate authorities. The management expertise include, Project Leader – Thomas Jonas. The project team leader and management have a combined experience and expertise in International and Maritime Dangerous Goods Storage (IMDG Code, which is a UN Standard). Management Members have written the IMDG Code certification, which is mandatory as per the UN standards. Native Storage Facility was established for the sole purpose of Dangerous Goods Storage Facility, and as third party Logistics Service Provider (3PL). Native Storage Facility is headed by five decidedly goal-focused Namibian entrepreneurs with the aim to impact confidently on the country’s industrial sector, economic growth and employment creation. These five young Namibians are professional entrepreneurs, hence intend to combine their expertise, experience in storing common commercial hazardous/dangerous goods used in several industries in Namibia.
NE: Who is working on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the storage of dangerous and hazardous goods?
AJ: EnviroSolutions, which has its head office in Swakopmund.
NE: Does Native Storage Facility propose to use the old South African bunker as a short-term or long-term solution for the proposed storage?
AJ: Native Storage Facility intends to use the old South African bunker as short-term solution (3 to 5 years) for the storage of dangerous and hazardous goods.
NE: How suitable would you say the old bunker is for the storage of dangerous goods?
AJ: The old bunker was in fact designed for such purposes and should we move to the long-term facility we will have to build a bunker to facilitate certain hazardous materials there.
NE: What type of goods does Native Storage propose storing at their facilities and where do these goods originate?
AJ: The goods to be stored will originate from the industrial fraternity within Namibia, and those goods imported through the port and all border posts. The facility will of course only include goods permitted to be processed at the Namibian Port and national border posts as per the laws of the Republic of Namibia. Goods to be stored at the facility:
Class 1: Ammunition, Detonators
Class 4: Batteries containing Sodium
Class 5: Ammonium Nitrate
Class 7: Uranium Oxide
Class 8: Batteries, Sulphuric Acid.
NE: How do you foresee the storage of dangerous goods at the bunker affecting the surrounding environment and communities?
AJ: The storage of dangerous goods at the bunker will ease the burden of the lack of such a facility in the region. The facility will comply with all laws regarding dangerous goods, and contribute towards the creation of policies. There are a number of industries using dangerous goods in Namibia, hence the need to setup such a facility.
The hazardous and dangerous cargo will be managed and mitigated according to the laws of the Republic of Namibia and international laws.
NE: How has the approval process for this project progressed?
AJ: Native Storage Facility has engaged the following entities and support has been granted in writing, while others, as per means of permits to be awarded based on the regulations of goods to be stored. Native Storage Facility is currently conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment involving the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Safety and Security, the Explosives Unit, the Radiation Unit, NACOMA, the Municipality of Walvis Bay, Namport and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
NE: Reports indicated the project proposes importing dangerous goods and waste for storage at the bunker. Is there any truth in these allegations?
AJ: Native Storage Facility WILL NOT be importing any dangerous goods. The goods to be stored are goods, which are being imported/exported at Namport by the industrial sector permitted as per the laws of the Republic of Namibia. Waste material is not permitted to be imported into Namibia.
NE: How does this proposed project comply with international standards on the movement and storage of dangerous goods?
AJ: This project complies with international standards such as the IMDG Code, which is mandatory to handle or store dangerous goods. All staff members will be trained and certified by professionals to comply with local and international laws. The project will comply with the Environmental Management Act when the EIA has been completed and approved by MET.
NE: Are there any positive spinoffs from a project of this nature and if so what are they?
AJ: Yes there are spin-offs such as an increase of imports and exports of such goods, which has a direct impact on the economy. Entities such as Namport and transport companies can benefit greatly from such a facility, with Namport, being the preferred port in the SADC region. Also, additional jobs could be created in the transport sector especially with entities such as TransNamib.
The rail option is however the preferred means of transport for hazardous or dangerous goods as per international standards.
Awareness will be created in order to educate the communities in identifying dangerous goods. This will allow community members to act pro-actively and avoid dangers in our surroundings.
The environment will be protected not only by the authorities, but also by the communities at large.
NE: If this project does not get off the ground how will it affect the residents of Walvis Bay?
AJ: Currently there is no dangerous or hazardous storage facility in Walvis Bay, and dangerous/hazardous goods are being processed at the harbour. Namport complies with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods standards within the port. However, outside the port dangerous/hazardous goods will be stored in warehouses, which do not comply and can’t secure the safety of people, the environment and the community. This will increase the current risks.