Reddy highlights why the need for screening application

‘A detailed perusal of the proposal to decide whether an EIA was required or not, and if it was required, the department would then provide a terms of reference for the EIA’

For development projects, developers and investors are required to submit a screening application to the Department of Environment for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Processes.

This was clarified in Parliament yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment, Mahendra Reddy, while delivering his ministerial statement.

He said the department, upon receiving the application, will then undertake a detailed perusal of the proposal to decide whether an EIA was required or not, and if it was required, the department would then provide a terms of reference for the EIA.

For the last fiscal year, Mr Reddy

said the department had approved 80 EIA reports. Fourteen were declined. A total of 57 prohibited notices were issued for breaches under the Environment Management Act 2005, and the Environment Management Regulations 2007, and for the breaches of EIA approval conditions were issued to certain proponents.

He also emphasised that every commercial facility in operation was required to hold a valid Waste Disposal Permit with conditions from the Department of Environment. A total of 147 permits were issued in the last fiscal year with a total of 10 Prohibition Notice. Mr Reddy highlighted that they had obtained a list of hotels and other industrial operations from FRCA (Fiji Revenue and Customs Service) and are now matching it with their list to identify those that carried out waste disposal permits and those who don’t. Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya questioned Mr Reddy: “Why haven’t there been more people or companies prosecuted under these Environment Management Acts? No wonder people have labelled the department as slow!

“If Government was serious under its climate champion then why hasn’t anyone being held responsible for the demise of the Southern Phoenix vessel that has been releasing toxic substances at the Suva Harbour, polluting the waters?

She also asked: “If Government was also serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions they why haven’t the Ministers turned off the engines of their Government vehicle?

“Please can we start right here, practice what you are trying to preach?”

Ms Tabuya also questioned alleged delays on the implementation of the Clean Environment Policy that was introduced in February this year.