Bid to educate on environment impact
A NATIONWIDE Environment Impact Assessment Clinic has been launched by the Department of Environment in a bid to educate developers and businesses on the importance of the report.
Ministry of Waterways and Environment permanent secretary Joshua Wycliffe says the clinics would be an engaging discussion between Government and the developers.
He said that staff from the Department of Environment would contact applicants if required and invite them to these sessions if that would help clear outstanding requirements.
“The ministry encourages all businesses to make use of this opportunity and resolve outstanding issues,” he said.
“The ministry further views this as yet another customer-friendly, innovative product designed bearing the customer in mind.”
Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr Mahendra Reddy said the clinic allowed the public and participants to raise environmental issues with the environment expert who would ensure it was dealt with immediately.
“This is an attempt to fast track the decisionmaking process. The Department of Environment team would provide advise on any lacking paperwork and all doubts raised would be clarified,” he said.
“There may be issues beyond us, and through this clinic we will advise, guide and connect the participants to the relevant authorities and instead of having communication through emails or phone calls, we are giving them firsthand information concerning all environment legislations.”
One such business that has been part of the clinic is China Railway First Group.
Company assistant commercial manager Jack Tavai said the clinics showed the commitment of the Environment Department towards protecting Fiji’s environment.
“We thank the government for bringing up this EIA clinic because it is a monitoring process for the government and the department of environment for the developments taking place,” he said.
... we will advise, guide and connect the participants to the relevant authorities and instead of having communication through emails or phone calls, we are giving them firsthand information concerning all environment legislations
Dr Mahendra Reddy