Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive -National Assembly

Environment Bill 2016 - New law to address shortfalls and challenges in environment protection |24 August 2016

A new law to come into force soon is expected to address numerous challenges and deal with several limitations being faced by the ministry responsible for environment  in its effort to continue protecting and preserving our environment.

This will be possible now that the National Assembly has debated on and approved the Environment Protection Bill 2016 which will replace the Environment Protection Act 1994.

All members of the majority party in the Assembly voted for the repeal while the leader of the opposition in the Assembly abstained.

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley presented the Bill to the Assembly during its sitting yesterday morning.

In his presentation Minister Dogley said if today the tourism and fishery sectors remain the pillar of our economy it is because as a country we have continued to protect and preserve the unique and extraordinary beauty of our environment and ensure that the ocean that surrounds us is not polluted.

“The government has remained true to its commitment to continuing to protect our environment  through  positive measures  and regulations and these have resulted in Seychelles becoming an example of sustainable development in the world,” Minister Dogley said.

He highlighted the different laws and policies that the government has put in place to ensure not only the protection and preservation of our environment but also its cleanliness and proper maintenance so that visitors and locals alike can enjoy our country’s natural beauty.

Minister Dogley pointed out that the Environment Protection Act 1994 is one of those laws and it is a key tool used by the environment ministry which deals with and addresses numerous environment-related matters such as water, air, soil, noise pollution, waste management, regulations guiding small and large development projects as well as the protection of our coastal areas and other key sensitive areas to name but some.

The above law was revised, gazetted and came into force in 1994.

“Today, 22 years later, the law lacks several provisions which were not included then. Considering the rate of development taking place due to the prospering economy, it is time that gaps in the law are bridged and shortcomings addressed to allow it to meet the country’s present needs and demands as well as international requirements and obligations,” Minister Dogley pointed out.  

He noted that the whole process has taken some time to be completed and technicians from the environment ministry have worked in close collaboration with key partners to review different components and sections which were  difficult to apply, take into consideration and insert new sections.

Minister Dogley expressed satisfaction that the new Environment Protection Bill 2016 is being tabled to repeal the Environment Protection Act 1994.

“The aim of the Bill is to ensure continued protection of;  public health, our people’s rights to live in a safe, clean and pristine environment. It will also help government to undertake necessary actions to meet our obligations in line with  international conventions as well as control various types of pollution,” Minister Dogley explained.

Among the new sections that have been added are 22 and 23 which deal with air pollution offences, Section 31 provides for the minister responsible for environment to put in place laws and regulations to guide the oil and mineral explorations in Seychelles’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zone(EEZ),   Section 50 provides for the minister to register consultants to carry out environmental impact assessment studies for development projects as well as other activities of the Planning Authority.

“This is aimed at setting clear standard and guidelines for individuals involved in conducting this type of work as well as control the influx of foreigners without licence who are attracted by these contracts,” Minister Dogley pointed out.

Section 56 has been added to address such community nuisance as smoke,  music, barking dogs, among others.

Minister Dogley noted that offences and penalties under Section 6 have also been reviewed and they vary depending on the offences. Section 72 provides for out of court settlements while Section 7 provides for the creation of an Environment’s Appeal Board and Section 80 provides for the ministry to set regulations  establishing appropriate costs and prices of goods, services and equipment all with the aim of further controlling pollution of our environment.

“This new Bill is a modern one which takes into account and addresses all the shortcomings and challenges the ministry has been facing over the past few years and repealing the old law means continued support for government to further  improve its environment protection work,” Minister Dogley said.

All the members who presented arguments on the Bill welcomed the move to repeal the 1994 Act highlighting its different shortcomings and stressing that the new law will ensure Seychelles continue to maintain its status as a leader in environmental conservation and protection, will ensure harmonisation of environmental regulations, will encourage different organisations to continue promoting environment protection through different actions and initiatives, will clearly define roles of different ministries and agencies, among others.

An important aspect which all members stressed on is reinforcement of the different components of the Bill. They have called on the minister responsible for environment to request for the recruitment of more environment police officers to ensure defaulters are caught and appropriately dealt with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» Back to Archive