EIA amendments to be in effect till end of current administration

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report amendments state that the changes that have been put through will only last until the end of the current administration, which is three years and six months.

The EIA Report saw its 6th amendment made yesterday.

The amendment states that any EIA process that stems from government prioritization of a project must be completed with no delays. It also states that special consideration will be given to national development projects should the Cabinet or Cabinet committee deem it so.

The amendment also states that "Numbers 2 and 3 of Article (Haa) will be in effect, as per the gazette, from the day it was gazetted and up to three years and 6 months."

The amendments, along with the name changes, were subject to public criticism.

Yesterday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have its name changed to the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA). It will be run directly under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment with changes to the mandate being made.

As per the President's Office website, the name change was brought about to solidify "the reflection of primary responsibilities of the institution more accurately while enhancing its capacity to regulate the environment effectively."

EPA not dissolved, being changed to an Authority: Ministry