Nairobi — The building of the Sh150 million Blue Lagoon Villas in Watamu has again been stopped by the National Environment Tribunal.

The tribunal, in an order dated June 18, told Blazer Watamu Limited, the company putting up the six exclusive private villas on Watamu's Blue Lagoon, to stop further construction until an appeal made by some residents was heard and determined.

The project has been stopped and restarted several times in the last two years after the firm was accused of polluting the environment.

In the latest order, the National Environment Tribunal (NET), which is equal to the Court of Appeal in environmental matters, states in part: "You are therefore instructed to stop any further activities on the plots until the matter is determined by the tribunal."

Disregarded

This follows a fresh appeal by a group of residents and businessmen who want the project stopped, citing environmental issues.

"The National Environment Tribunal has received an appeal filed by Mr Gaetano Grasso and four others against the National Environment Management Authority's decision to lift a stop order they issued to you on 10 July, 2007," says the NET letter.

NET argues that Nema disregarded the laid down procedures in lifting the earlier stop order.

Blazer Watamu Limited local director Walter Kondik on Monday confirmed that the firm had received the stop order and complied with it.

"We have received the fresh order and stopped construction," he said by telephone.

However, Mr Kondik said he was confident that the matter would be resolved and construction resumed.

"It is normal that whenever NET receives any appeal on any project, they have to stop the project until they hear and determine the case. It's no big issue," he said.

This is contained in Section 129 (4) of the Environmental management and Coordination Act of 1999.

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It states: "Upon any appeal to the tribunal under this section, the status of any matter or activity, which is the subject of the appeal, shall be maintained until the appeal is determined."

The Blue Lagoon project has been dodged by controversy ever since its inception more than two years ago. Environmentalists and villagers have protested against the construction, but some residents support it.

The company was building 26 exclusive villas but they were reduced to six following hue and cry from the district environment committee, Watamu environmental conservation groups and others.

Mr Kondik said that on completion, the villas would be advertised in the world market for sale.