The Ministry's Director of Environmental Affairs, Teofelus Nghitila, said this on Saturday at a World Environment Day commemoration organised by the Oshakati Town Council.

Nghitila said the Ministry was also finalising the Pollution and Waste Management Bill and associated regulations.

The Environment official elaborated that these pieces of legislation would make environmental assessment mandatory in all developments, including construction projects in towns.

This, Nghitila said, would ensure that development projects were properly co-ordinated, suitably located and did not threaten the health and safety of the inhabitants.

"There is a need for us to create environmentally friendly towns by providing safe sanitation and drinking water and investing in cleaner production mechanisms to keep our air clean," Nghitila told those who took part in Saturday's commemoration.

He added that stronger partnerships between all sectors, mainly the local authorities to promote local 'settings' initiatives for making cities in the country green, were an essential component to achieve sustainable living.

The World Environment Day celebrations at Oshakati, with the theme 'Keep Oshakati Clean, Green and Tourist Friendly, concluded this year's environment week in Namibia.

- Nampa