By Saidu Jalloh
In a decisive move to fortify Sierra Leone’s environmental safeguards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the implementation of two pivotal regulations aimed at fostering sustainable practices within the agricultural and related industries. The regulations, meticulously crafted to balance environmental protection with economic growth, were unveiled through a press release dated April 12, 2024.
Following a meticulous legislative process, involving a requisite 21-day period of parliamentary scrutiny, the regulations have now seamlessly transitioned into enforceable laws, signaling a significant stride towards bolstering environmental stewardship in Sierra Leone.
The first regulation, christened the “Agricultural and Agriculture-Based Industrial Activities Regulations 2024,” underscores a dual objective: nurturing a conducive business environment within the agricultural sector while concurrently championing sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices. EPA officials underscored the imperative of striking a delicate equilibrium between economic prosperity and environmental conservation.
Furthermore, the EPA has taken proactive measures to ensure that environmental impact assessment (EIA) fees are meticulously calibrated, tailored to the specific ecological footprint of each industry. This nuanced approach, as articulated by EPA representatives, represents a departure from generic fee structures, thereby fostering a fair and equitable framework for calculating EIA fees. By aligning fees with environmental impact, the EPA aims to incentivize investment in environmentally responsible practices while dissuading detrimental activities.
Crucially, EPA officials emphasized the pivotal role of these regulations in galvanizing both domestic and foreign investment in Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape. By providing a conducive regulatory framework, the EPA seeks to facilitate the growth of local agricultural enterprises while simultaneously attracting foreign investment. This strategic approach, underpinned by the principles of fairness and sustainability, is envisaged to bolster the country’s flagship initiative, “Feed Salone,” by amplifying agricultural production and ensuring food security for Sierra Leone’s populace.
The EPA’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, coupled with its proactive regulatory interventions, underscores a concerted effort to forge a sustainable pathway towards economic prosperity in Sierra Leone. As these regulations take root, they stand as a testament to the nation’s resolve to harmonize economic progress with environmental preservation, charting a course towards a greener and more resilient future.
At the end, EPA also provided a website where those regulations could be accessed. https://epa.gov.sl/act-and- regulations.
