The firm says that the new facility will house the steel mill, processing components, and operation department.

“The proposed project will be to construct and install a steel mill for the melting of steel scrap to generate molten metal that is continuously casted to produce billet,” an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study submitted to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) shows.

“The proposed project will be located within the Reinforced Steel Division (RSD) of Corrugated Sheets Limited (CSL) on a section of land parcel number 24606 at Kokotoni area of Kaliangombe Sub-location, Rabai location, Rabai Sub-County, Kilifi County,” it added.

The role of ESIA is to identify and address possible direct, indirect, and significant adverse environmental and social impacts of the proposed project.

As part of a legal requirement, it must also satisfy both legal and institutional obligations specified under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999, as amended in 2015, and the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, as amended in 2019.

“The Environmental Impact Assessment Study was carried out as provided for in Legal Notice No. 31 of 2019, section 58 (2) of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 (Amended) 2015 and the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations), 2003. Other national policies and legislations relevant to the proposed project were reviewed,” ESIA adds.

“Steel mills are categorized as high risk projects as per Legal Notice No. 31 of 30th April 2019, that amended the second schedule of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 section 3 (9) (p),” it added.

The project is set to create job opportunities for locals, contribute taxes to the national and local governments, and earn the nation foreign exchange earnings through product exports, among others.

However, residents will have to contend with noise and dust pollution, water scarcity, injuries, and accidents, among others.