Harare — GOVERNMENT has gazetted licence fees for air pollution with immediate effect.

According to a Government Gazette published last week, the registration fee for a blue licence (discharge considered to be environmentally safe) is now US$100 while that for a green licence (discharge considered to present a low environmental hazard) has been pegged at US$145.

A yellow licence (discharge which is considered to present a medium environmental hazard) is US$280 while that for a red licence (discharge which is considered to present high environmental hazard) has been pegged at US$555.

All these are annual fees.

Quarterly environmental fees for those carrying a blue licence have been pegged at US$100 for a discharge of five tonnes while a volume of more than 200 tonnes will cost US$1 100. Green licence holders will pay US$280 for a volume of five tonnes while those discharging more than 200 tonnes will be required to pay US$2 000.

Those carrying a yellow licence will pay US$280 for a discharge of five tonnes while those with a remission of more than 200 tonnes will pay US$4 500.

The fee for red licence holders who emit five tonnes has been pegged at US$555 while those who produce more than 200 tonnes of gas into the air will have to pay US$9 000.

The licences, however, do not absolve the holder of responsibility for damage caused, or claims made for damage caused resulting from the discharge of the emissions.