In an interview with The Namibian yesterday Katiti said the reports published by this newspaper had contributed to the confusion among the public.

In reference to environmental concerns, particularly over the endangered Damara Tern, Katitii said: "I feel we have sacrificed many lives for political independence.

I cannot see why we cannot sacrifice the lives of a few birds for economic independence".

The Walvis Bay Municipality has backed the plans - which include residential and hotel developments - in principle.

Critics have said the developments will undermine Namibia's 'wilderness' appeal for tourists, damage the environment, and be the start of an unstoppable trend which will ultimately see the whole stretch of land between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay being built up.

Katiti said that should the demand for land continue he did not see why the whole stretch of coastline between the two coastal towns should not be developed one day.

"The piece of coastline for the current proposed developments is so insignificant," he added.

He said if people wanted unspoilt areas they could go south to the Namib Naukluft Park or north to the Skeleton Coast Park.

The three different developments, approved in principle by the Walvis Bay Council between Langstrand and Dolphin Beach and south of Dolphin Beach, are for residential, hotel and recreational facilities.

Katiti said development is what brings jobs to the town and how the Municipality can get an income to bring about socio-economic development.

He said Council's main motivation for granting approval for the developments was not to generate funds for the Municipality.

Consideration was given to the proposals because the land is suited for development.

Another reason is the demand for beach-front developments.

"There is an extremely high demand for development along the coast.

If we have land available we feel we should meet the demand".

Katiti added that the land in question is not "virgin, unspoilt land" as had been claimed by those objecting.

He said the existing concrete slabs left by the South African defence force at Rand Rifles is one example of how the area had been utilised before.

Referring to a pre-independence development report of the early 1980s by the Municipality, he said that Farm 36, which incorporates Rand Rifles, was set aside for the development of a beach resort for the 'Coloureds'.

"All of a sudden it is called virgin pieces of land," he added.

In light of the Municipality's much-praised Local Agenda 21 programme for sustainable development and the fact that the land in question is currently zoned as conservation, Katiti stressed that the developers have to undertake an environmental assessment (EA).

He said the impression was being created that the Municipality does not allow public participation and is looking for a "quick fix thing".

"We are a responsible council and therefore insist that public views must be sought in the EA".

While concerns have also been expressed that the area's tourism potential would be spoilt, Katiti said the country needed to cater for all the different categories of tourists - those who enjoy undeveloped, wide open spaces, and those who want to stay in a beach front hotel.

According to a survey conducted in 1997 the majority of visitors to the country said they expected a high-quality, nature-centred experience.

Katiti also criticised the objections lodged by surfers saying they were trying to make out as if the affected area was the only surfing spot on the coast.

Referring to a map he sourced from the internet he said it was in fact one of five recognised spots between the two coastal towns.

The CEO said scientific reports he had seen did not support the notion that building in that area would disturb the Damara Tern colony.

"There are in fact 14 000 of these birds, and people are going on as if there are only two left".

The species is endemic to Namibia and carries a near-threatened classification.

In an interview with The Namibian the two developers, John Savva and Brynard Kotze said they were not going to develop the whole area they have applied for.

They maintained that the beaches would remain public space for the use of everyone, and that a stretch of about 1,5 km between the two developments would be left open.

Savva said people should be more positive regarding new developments.

"Namibia has plenty of space and a coastline of 1 570 km.

Why do people worry about such a small piece of land?" BEACH Caption: 'March of progress' The new housing extension at Langstrand in the bottom left corner and Dolphin Beach in the top right corner as seen from the air.

The two new proposed developments will be south of Dolphin Beach.

Some people are arguing that the Langstrand and Dolphin Beach developments have already spoilt the area and that more developments should be stopped.

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