Joshua Nahamya
Mbarara-
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Executive Director Dr. Balilega Akankwasah has issued an ultimatum to evict city encroachers along River Rwizi.
According to Akankwasah, the campaign is aimed to protect River Rwizi, the only water source in Mbarara city and the neighbouring areas.
During the findings, the executive director highlighted that lucrative activities such as brick laying, illegal structures, sand mining and agriculture in Mbarara have directly polluted and reduced the river’s water levels.
“We have seen unregulated and disorganised bricking making business on the banks of River Rwizi. This is very dangerous because there is direct pollution and direct vegetation which we cannot allow it to continue because we have already seen the dangers caused on the river,” Akankwasah said
He added that “River Rwizi and its catchment areas are under immense pressure of encroachment from illegal sand mining, constructions and agriculture up to the river banks”.
“All these activities have implications on the water quality and the volume of water level,” he said
After looking at the magnitude of the damage of economic activities on River Rwizi, Akankwasah issued a three-month eviction notice to evict individuals living within 100 metres of River Rwizi buffer zone to ensure the river’s protection from waste and pollution.
“We call upon people who have settled on the river banks to leave peacefully before we undertake forceful evictions. All people have encroached R. Rwizi by 100 metres must leave,” he said
Akankwasah noted that the only infrastructure allowed to 100 metres of the buffer zone is the recreation facilities like resort hotels claiming that they have to be approved by NEMA.
Hassan Basajabalaba site alleged in a wetland in Mbarara suspended by NEMA ED. Joshua Nahamya
“Recreation facilities have to be permitted by NEMA after ensuring that their existence does not threaten the river banks and the river itself. So for the people whom we found making bricks, we shall give them a grace period of not more than three months to burn what they have already but they should not excavate more clay from the banks,” he explained
Akankwasah added that NEMA will also create awareness campaigns to ensure compliance aimed at restoring the river banks and protecting of the environment.
“We shall write to the encroachers, sensitise and eventually we have them out I am sure that is the only way we can save River Rwizi,” he said
Relatedly, Akankwasah halted the construction site belonging to business tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba in Mbarara city allegedly for not being approved by NEMA.
“Our concern is that you are building without approval and excavation is part of construction, so you stop construction until you secure an approved plan and also let the site manager go and make the statement at NEMA police CID,” he explained
The director was also bitter with the site security guard that threatened and blocked NEMA inspectors from accessing the site, a matter he promised to investigate further.
NEMA officials and Mbarara city environmentalists harness on plans to evicting R.Rwizi enchroachers in the city. Joshua Nahamya.
“We are investigating an incident where our environmental inspectors were put under gun point because obstructing an inspector is a criminal offence under the law. And if we find that they threatened to shoot at our staff, they will be arrested” Akankwasah emphasized
Sarah Aijuka, South Western regional manager of NEMA noted that “they took position, cocked the gun and they were ready to shoot at us which was very unfortunate”.
The site manager Steven Ndibarema refuted the allegations concerning the shooting of NEMA staff at the excavation site.
“What I know is that we delayed to open for them but threatening to shoot at them was uncalled for” Ndibarema said
He added that “the city council granted us permission to excavate the site meanwhile as we wait for the plan approvals”.
“In a letter you can see the city council allowed us to first do preliminary works as we wait for the approval, though we don’t have any permission from the NEMA grid” Ndibarema said
