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EA lawyers lobby JK over soda ash factory
2007-07-20 10:19:59
By Correspondent Abu Muse, Nairobi
The East African Law Society has asked President Jakaya Kikwete to direct that the proposed construction of a soda ash plant along the shores of Lake Natron be called off pending further consultations.
The request by EALS President Tom Ojienda who, citing environmental considerations, said implementation of the project would be a major threat to flamingos in the area that would deal tourism a telling blow.
In a press statement issued here, he said lawyers from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda would seriously like to see President Kikwete move to reconsider the decision.
Lake Natron is based in northern Tanzania and is an internationally renowned habitat for millions of flamingos.
Ojienda noted that a rare species of the birds would be endangered if the project takes off, adding: ``The lake is a vital breeding ground for flamingos. Some 75 per cent of the world`s flamingo populations seasonally gather there to breed before migrating to other lakes and other water masses.``
He was emphatic that the proposed project, just next to the picturesque lake, would directly impact on the neighbouring countries’ tourism and ecosystems.
The lake, which is near the Kenyan border in the Rift Valley, is rich in salt, vitamins and bacteria, which the flamingos traditionally feed on.
The EALS chief warned that if the project proceeds as planned, Kenya`s Lake Nakuru would be affected adversely.
The latter lake is one of the most visited tourist sites thanks to the rich presence of flamingos in the area.
``Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria are synonymous with flamingos and the project would spell doom for them,`` Ojienda pointed out.
The lawyers explained that the East African Community was moving towards integration and projects should be carried out only after appropriate consultations among the respective partner States.
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