Reddy: Ministry Will Crack Down Hard On Errant Land Developers

The Ministry of Environment and Waterways will take ac­tion against any developer who does not comply with its envi­ronment regulations, says Environ­ment Minister Mahendra Reddy.

He said the ministry would con­duct a series of Environment Im­pact Assessment (EIA) awareness workshops throughout the country from next week. This is so that eve­ryone had a clear understanding on the requirements, processes and timeliness which investors needed to factor in.

“EIA is undertaken to maintain the efficacious control and the sus­tainable use of our natural resourc­es,” Mr Reddy said.

“It aims to predict the environ­mental impacts and the potential degradation at an early stage of a project.”

Mr Reddy also highlighted the ac­tion taken by the ministry against Freesoul Real Estate Development Ltd (FREDL), after the breach of 20 of the 55 approval conditions for land-based activities.

“The ministry cancelled the com­pany’s land based approval on April 4, 2019,” Mr Reddy said.

He said despite the Prohibition Notice to FREDL on June 1, 2018, which prohibited FREDL from un­dertaking foreshore and construc­tion related activities, the company continued to carry out work at the project site.

The matter was then referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on August 29, 2018.

Mr Reddy confirmed the matter was called for first mention at Nadi Magistrates Court in March 2019 and it has been adjourned to April 26, 2019.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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