26 Mar 2017

Insufficient personnel has resulted in delays in processing of EIA as well as the cost incurred at the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). The Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama told Parliament that his ministry has continued to request for manpower, but that it has not been successful in securing the appropriate numbers considered sufficient.
He said the costs for consultancies on EIA’s were considered for review through appropriate structures.
Mr Khama said he was not in a position to give a guaranteed timeframe for normalising the situation and explained that the situation did not only apply to the North West District, but to all other areas across the country.
He said he was not aware if the head of department in Maun blocked most EIA applications, but promised that a follow-up would be done if there had been such encounters.
Maun East MP, Mr Konstantino Markus had asked the minister if he was aware of impediments and delays with the DEA when one had to build and that the costs were high.
MP Markus also asked the minister when the situation was going to be normalised in the North West District, and also asked if he was aware that the HOD in Maun blocked most applications for approval. ENDS