Land for proposed naval base yet to be secured
Land for the proposed new Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division Base in Lami has not been finalised.
Minister for Environment Mahendra Reddy revealed this in Parliament while responding to an oral question from National Federation Party’s MP Lenora Qereqretabua about the site. Mr Reddy said the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) would be undertaken once all processes were done.
“Once again, the member has jumped the gun and demonstrated her lack of knowledge about environmental matters,” he said.
“If someone sits down and has a talanoa and says, I want to construct a hotel at Denarau, that does not mean that immediately the Environmental Impact Assessment needs to be undertaken.”
He said processes like acquiring the plot of land, lodging the architectural drawing with the Town and Country Planning Department and application for screening needs to be undertaken before the need for an EIA is determined.
“If there is a need then a term of references is drafted and given to the investor, and the investor then hires an EIA consultant to undertake an EIA,” he said.
“In this case, they have not even acquired the land. What is this EIA thing about?
“I am asking the honourable member, whenever she stands up in Parliament to talk about the environment, talk to us, and get some understanding about the environment matters then come and take the parliamentary time.”