1 speech by mrs. nancy karigithu – director general ... - PMAESA

• Furthermore, pollution is generated from the maintenance of port infrastructureand superstructure works, pollution may also come from maintenance of port'sequipment and superstructure due to grit blasting and spray painting or from shiprepairs in the port area.• Congestion at ports leads to increased energy consumption, operational pollutionand loss of time and comfort.3• Oil pollution is a major threat, with high levels of oil transportation threateningthe Eastern and Southern African coast and the Islands, and oil drilling andprocessing activities may in the near future cause problems along the Eastern andSouthern African coasts.• Other environmental challenges include the visual quality of a project area whichis affected by the creation of a port, port facilities, lighting, and other opticaldisturbances, thus changing the landscape into an artificial scene ofindustrialization.• Alien invasive plants cause changes to freshwater availability and alter thediversity and abundance of species within ecosystems. Aquatic weeds also changewater quality by adding or removing nutrients and thus affect drinking waterquality and human health.4. The subject of marine pollution has received much attention from such esteemedorganisations like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), United NationsConference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, 1993), United Nations, ComitéMaritime International (CMI), International Navigation Association (PIANC), WorldBank and others. Out of the work of these organisations a lot ofrecommendations have arisen of which ports in East and Southern Africa need totake cognisance.The attention of the international community has however, been concentratedmainly to port's visitors, (i.e. the ships themselves), because of the well-known riskfrom marine accidents.6. The following international instruments are relevant:o The London Dumping Convention 1975, addressing the issue of materialdredging from ports and how to deal with them;