Namibian tobacco project still on

A project aimed at growing tobacco and maize in Namibia is still going ahead despite a delay in obtaining authorization for the clearance of a state forest, according to a story in The Namibian.

A Chinese company, Namibia Oriental Tobacco CC, has obtained 10,000 ha at Liselo in the Zambezi Region to grow tobacco and maize, but the agriculture ministry has not given authorization for the forest clearance.

A local partner in the venture, Armas Amukwiyu, told The Namibian yesterday that though there were many authorizations that still had to be obtained, the one allowing for the forest clearance was the major one.

But he added that the N$14 billion project was still on, and had not been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the governor of the Zambezi region, Lawrence Sampofu, said: “We are waiting for clearance for the forest and (drawing) water, then everything will be fine, and the project can start”.

The project was given environmental clearance about two years ago and the certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue unless it is withdrawn.

The environmental impact assessment states that the primary purpose will be tobacco production, though maize will be grown also on a rotational basis to minimize the occurrence of tobacco-related pests.

The project, which was supposed to have started in 2014, attracted a lot of criticism. Former health minister Richard Kamwi said the allocation of land for tobacco production was not in the best interest of Namibians.