Nairobi: The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced a new directive requiring all sand transporters to obtain a transportation permit. This new regulation aims to manage and control the transportation of sand within the country, a move that is likely to have an impact on the construction industry and could potentially affect the cost of sand.
According to Kenya News Agency, NEMA announced the new directive stemming from the 2024 Sand Harvesting Regulations that are designed to promote sustainable sand use and environmental protection. ‘Sand transporters are hereby notified that the 2024 Sand Harvesting Regulations mandate a sand transportation permit from NEMA. All sand transporters must apply for this permit immediately,’ stated the notice.
The notice also specified that the regulations were established by the government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale published the Sand Harvesting Regulations 2024 on Tuesday, February 18th, establishing new controls for sand harvesting and transportation.
The environmental authority has directed all sand transporters to immediately apply for the required transportation permit via the NEMA website (www.nema.go.ke) using the Sand Harvesting licensing portal. Notably, the directive comes just a month after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) introduced new proposals to improve road safety by strengthening regulations on loading and cargo securement for heavy commercial vehicles.
In a statement released on 29th January, NTSA maintained that all cargo carried by heavy commercial vehicles must be properly confined, enclosed, immobilized, or secured to prevent leakages, spills, or ejection during ferrying. Materials like sand, gravel, crushed stone, ore, salt, waste, and shredded scrap metal were the specific target of the proposed regulations.
‘Acceptable covering materials include tarpaulin, canvas, wire mesh, netting, or any other suitable material that can contain the load within the vehicle or container,’ stated the regulations.