The Minister for Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy last night fact-checked National Federation Party’s Lenora Qereqeretabua’s end of week statement and refuted a number of claims she made.

Ms Qereqeretabua had told Parliament: “In light of recent incidents of grave environmental degradation in Fiji, this End of Week Statement seeks to advocate for the strengthening of the EIA Unit of the Department of Environment”. She made reference to a preliminary report prepared by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment David Boyd critiquing the Department’s capacity to fully undertake the EIA process.

“Unfortunately this information or the “findings” by Mr. Boyd were never discussed or verified with the Department of Environment, prior to being circulated and discussed with the media in December (last year). If there was such a report existing from the UN Rapporteur, then that was never shared with the Government.

“Apart from an introductory meeting which lasted for a few minutes, the UN Rapporteur did not engage with the Ministry, instead chose to engage with the Honourable Qereqeretabua and accompanied her to sites as indicated by the Honourable Member.

Ms Qereqeretabua mentioned about the Field 40 batching plant (Lautoka) and the gravel extraction from the Paipai River (and their ongoing operations having impact over the environment and the populace surrounding these operations.

Mr Reddy said that Ms Qereqeretabua’s statement does not reflect the fact that the Department has issued Prohibition Notices to stop both the operations and have worked with the operators to ensure compliance.

“The Ministry confirms that these operations have been stopped and are being monitored regularly. The Honourable Member indicated that the Department does not take its processes seriously which is unacceptable.

“Her views might reflect the past but certainly do not represent the present Department.

“The EIA TOR are developed and vetted three-fold before it goes for a sign-off.”

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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