EPA operates in strict compliance with its legislative mandate

Dec 18, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr. Mohamed Khan’s letter in the Guyana Chronicle dated December 16, 2008 entitled “EPA should apply environmental laws fairly” and would like to correct some misinformation and erroneous statements contained therein.
The Environmental Protection Agency would like to unequivocally state that it operates in strict compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, No. 11 of 1996, the Environmental Protection (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Environmental Protection Regulations 2000 and is totally transparent and accountable, in discharging its mandate.
The EPA performs a regulatory role and focuses on environmental management of the entire country.
This involves regularization of certain operations which may have an effect on the environment and addressing environmental complaints related to small, medium and large-scale operations which fall under its mandate, without any prejudice or bias. In fulfilling this role, the EPA works closely with other relevant sectoral agencies which have jurisdiction over specific areas of operation outside the purview of the Agency, to ensure that the development is properly guided.
The Agency treats every complaint in accordance with its established legislative, operational processes and procedures.
As Mr. Khan is aware, his complaint regarding the Hardware Store and cement and steel rod operation, mentioned in his letter, was fully investigated and appropriate recommendations made.
The EPA determined that the complaint relates to zoning/land-use planning permission and building construction and operation approval.
These issues should be addressed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Regional Democratic Council of Region 2 and the Anna Regina Town Council.
The matter has been forwarded to these entities for their attention and Mr. Khan has been informed accordingly and advised to follow-up with the said entities to have the matter resolved fundamentally. The Agency does not have the mandate to address zoning/land-use planning permission and building construction and operation approval. Therefore, Mr. Khan’s statement that the operation “is in contravention of the land use clearance and zoning policy of the EPA” is clearly erroneous.
We wonder why Mr. Khan who claims to have served on the Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority and as a Deputy Mayor of the Anna Regina Town Council is not recognizing the mandates of these entities.
The Agency would also like to advise Mr. Khan that he should verify the information reflected in his letter regarding Mr. Ramdial’s operation.
The last correspondence sent to Mr. Ramdial did not require him to close his operation, but rather requested him to apply to the Agency for an Environmental Authorisation which would enable him to regularize his currently illegal operation.
To date, the Agency has not received an Application Form or any of the requested information from Mr. Ramdial. We again wonder why Mr. Khan does not appreciate that we are trying to let Mr. Ramdial regularize his operation and operate legally.
The EPA wishes to emphasize that it is not harassing or ‘bullying’ small businesses or anyone. This is not the practice of the Agency and our records could substantiate this.
The Agency responds to all complaints that fall within its mandate. Just as Mr. Khan has been affected by the operation of the Hardware Store, other citizens of Guyana may be affected by other operations which may be small, medium or large-scale and the Agency does not discriminate in dealing with complaints, based on size or ownership. In addition, the issues regarding the Hardware Store and Mr. Ramdial’s operation are different.
One is an Environmental Complaint and the other relates to Environmental Authorisation and they are treated differently under the environmental protection legislation.
After having fully dealt with Mr. Khan’s complaint and having recommended an appropriate environmental solution which he needs to pursue with the relevant entities, we are surprised with the statements made by him against the Agency.
We wish to state categorically that we will not allow anyone to discredit the Agency and tarnish its very good reputation and we urge Mr. Khan to retract his misinformed and erroneous statements as included in his letter referred to above.
Dr. Indarjit Ramdass
Director Natural Resources Management Division For Executive Director

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