November 17, 2021
By: MOHAMED M. SESAY
Honorable Members of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone have on the 16th of November 2021, re-committed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act of 2021 for a pre-legislative hearing in order to adequately scrutinize the bill which will stand the test of time having enacted into law.
Speaking on the Bill, the Minister of Environment Professor Foday Jaward disclosed that the Environmental Protect Act was amended in 2003 in order to strengthen it regulations. He acknowledged that climate change is affecting Sierra Leone in so many ways adding that, Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of response towards climate change globally. Professor Jaward stressed that climate change is also affecting the country’s economy and societies. He noted that bio-diversity laws pose severe threat to the resources that support the country’s economy which including fisheries, forests, water, plants and animals.
“As a nation, we must take urgent action in order to conserve, protect and sustainably used these resources. One of the ways we can do this is to review and develop our legal institutional frameworks to meet the current Global and National Environmental challenges,” he entreated.
The Environment Minister further assured that the draft bill provides opportunity to address the environmental challenges by enacting meaningful laws that will protect the environment. In the review of the Draft Bill, Professor Jaward said they engaged in nationwide consultation with pertinent stakeholders in order to buy in their views. He added that women, farmers, and the youth who he considered as the most vulnerable when it comes to climate change were also consulted.
In this bill, Professor Jaward said they have specifically provided the legal and institutional frameworks at both National and Local levels in order to address the issue of climate change, pollution, bio-diversity laws, chemical use, and management compass and enforcement. He furthered that they have ensured for the bill to be people centered in terms of Environmental Governance in Sierra Leone as they seek to take responsibility in order to conserve, protect and sustainably use the environment.
He concluded that key issues worth noting in the bill include administrative changes, fines and penalties, power to prosecute, and emerging issues relating to environmental concerns.
The Leader of the National Ground Coalition Hon. Kandeh Yunkella confessed that the Environmental Bill is a very important bill which touches the lives of people and also impacts the country’s economy. He added that deforestation across the country is very high and therefore expressed delight that the current bill if enacted into law, will address all the issues relating to Climate Change. The Hon. Yumkella reiterated that the draft bill is good but noted but assured that if Members of Parliament are involved at the Pre-legislative hearing of the bill, they will help the Minister to have a bill that will stand the test of time.
The Acting Leader of the Main Opposition All People’s Congress Party Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo also joined the wagon that the bill is a good bill which will stand the test of time if it is thoroughly scrutinized at pre-legislative hearing. He however expressed his dismay on the destructive nature of some people towards the environment with specific focus on the green belt in the western area has been destroyed. He concluded by reiterating the suggestions made by other members of Parliament in order for the bill to be re-committed to the Pre-Legislative Hearing for furthered scrutiny.
Moving a motion for the Bill to be sent for pre-legislative hearing, the Acting Leader to Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie said the Bill is very sensitive taking into cognizance the manner in which the environment across the country has been bastardized. He added that with the enactment of the bill, most if not all of the ill happenings within the environment will now be addressed.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business also expressed that the green belt in the western area has been tampered with considering it as a very serious concern which needs urgent redress. Hon. Silikie therefore, encouraged the Minister of Environment to work in close partnership with the Minister of Lands and Country Planning in order to address issues relating to environmental challenges. Hon. Bashiru Silikie concluded by moving a motion for the Bill to be re-committed for pre-legistrative hearing. The Motion raised by the Acting Leader of Government Business was seconded by the Leader of the National Ground Coalition Hon. Kandeh Yumkela. The Speaker of the Fifth Parliament Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu then made a ruling for the bill to be re-committed to the Pre-legislative committee for adequate scrutiny.