Last Words

Lamu Port’s Environmental Impact Assessment Report

The mud slinging has begun. It is only natural that there will be two (or more) sides on the issue of building a port in Lamu District. It is to be expected. But mud slinging is another thing. I read recently in the Daily Nation that Lamu’s member of parliament, Mr Fahim Twaha, has accused the National Museums of Kenya of being used by “enemies of development” to derail the port project, for the simple and very legal reason that the museums requested a cultural impact assessment study. Instead of debunking the idea of assessment, Hon. Twaha should be lauding them for standing up and demanding an assessment report.

I think it is safe to say that all stakeholders want to see a responsible and exhaustive environmental impact assessment report, which by today’s standards includes a cultural or social component to its research findings. This doesn’t mean that stakeholders are anti-port or “anti-development” as is alleged. Rather, it should point to people wanting responsible development, sustainable development, particularly with a development project of such magnitude.

Let’s face it, the port is a humongous project and billions of shillings will be spent to make it happen. That is even more reason to make sure that we do it right, not only for the nation and its vision, but also for those who live in Lamu, Pate and the adjacent mainland areas and depend on the coastal environment for their livelihood.

What I hear people saying about the port development is that they want to be involved; they want to have their concerns realistically addressed; they want to be part of an interactive platform with the government. What they are not saying is that they object to the port development off hand.

So let’s stop mud slinging; it only makes people dirty. Instead, we need to have more dialogue that allows people to discuss their concerns. And most importantly, we need an assessment report to be made public so that we can begin the dialogue.

Concerned Citizen

Lamu