Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter by Mohamed Fazloor Yasin in the Stabroek News captioned “The Environmental Protec-tion Agency seems ineffective” and also in the Kaieteur News of Friday, February 02, 2007 and wish to present the following response on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On January 10, 2007, the EPA received a complaint via telephone from Mr Yasin concerning the operation of a mechanic and spray painting workshop, located at Morocut Square, East La Penitence (behind the police station). The agency responded to this complaint on January 19, 2007, by sending three of its officers to investigate the matter.
Our investigation revealed that the operations of the workshop had encroached onto the parapets of other neighbours and onto the only roadway within the area and that waste oil was being discharged into the drain. It was also confirmed that there was excessive noise emitted by the operation which exceeded the limits for work day and working hours.
Based on these findings, the complaint was deemed by the EPA to be valid. From the investigation, it was found that the mechanic workshop may have been in existence for over a decade, even before the agency was established, and January 10, 2007, was the first time that a complaint was made regarding the operation of the workshop, by only one resident in the neighbourhood.
The EPA is of the firm opinion that it responded to this complaint in reasonably good time. Mr Yasin did not give the EPA a chance to complete its process regarding his complaint, prior to resorting to the media. Mr Yasin needs to appreciate that the course of action we are pursuing must be in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act of 1996 and Regulations of 2000. Nevertheless, Mr Yasin has since been sent an update on the matter, consistent with the operational procedures at the EPA. In addition, we have written to the owner of the mechanic workshop, again, as part of our operational procedures, authorizing appropriate enforcement measures with relevant recommendations. The Central Housing and Planning Authority which is responsible for granting land use permission and the Mayor and City Council which is responsible for granting building and operational permission were also written to for appropriate action to be taken, given their authority.
We wish to highlight that the fundamental reason for complaints of this nature, is a rapid increase in the level of businesses of several types developing in residential areas.
Land use planning and zoning are very important in reducing such conflicts and the institutions which have jurisdiction over such matters need to be vigilant and to deal with defaulters. The EPA, very often, is requested to address complaints for business entities which are unauthorized and their very existence should, first of all be dealt with by the authorities responsible for land use permission, zoning, building construction and operation. On another note, some complaints reaching the EPA have little or nothing to do with environment and manifest themselves as disputes between neighbours. This frequently is the reason for complainants being impatient with the normal process, preferring instead to have, with immediate effect, the closure of alleged defaulters’ operations. However, it should be realized that this is often a legal process that takes time, and the other party’s rights to natural justice must also be recognized.
His case and numerous others serve to highlight that in addition to the EPA, other regulatory authorities have functions and duties to perform as mandated by legislation. Local business entities also have a responsibility to ensure that their operations are located in appropriate zones and possess the requisite permissions. All over the world, businesses take seriously the showing of corporate social responsibility and environmental consciousness and we encourage local businesses to follow suit. At the end of the day, the environment is everybody’s business. It will, therefore take a concerted effort of all (authorities and operators) to manage our country’s environmental problems.
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to respond.
Yours faithfully,
Doorga Persaud
Executive Director
Environmental Protection Agency
