EPA to check permits, licences
A three-member committee was yesterday inaugurated by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) to look into the issuance of environmental permits and licences by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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The committee is chaired by Professor Bonzie Simpson, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast. The other members are Madam Dorothy Afriyie Ansah, a Chief State Attorney at the Attorney General’s Department, and Mr Peter Dery, a Director in charge of Climate Change Sustainability at MESTI.
The committee is expected to conclude its work within four weeks.
Reason
According to the Sector Minister, Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, the ministry, over the last few months, had received complaints and petitions from various entities and individuals in respect of the issuance of permits and licences by the EPA to applicants.
He said the most recent among the numerous petitions received was from Messrs Green Line Logistics, a global cargo service provider located in Sekondi/Takoradi, who alleged some irregularities with the issuance of permits and licence for the importation, transportation and storage of ammonium nitrate in some parts of the Western Region.
Mr Opong-Fosu said the petition prompted a fact-finding visit to the region.
“In fact, what came out was the fact that the ammonium nitrate was being stored at the Air Force Base by the company which does not have the required facilities to operate that business,” he said.
Considering the sensitive nature of the allegations, he said, the ministry thought it wise to set up a committee that would help examine the issues at stake and make recommendations for the necessary action to be taken to deal with such situations.
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Ammonium nitrate is the ammonia salt of nitrous acid used as a rodenticide, microbiocide and agricultural pesticide. Even though it is a major component of fertiliser production, it is also used for explosives and is acutely toxic to both humans and aquatic organisms.
Terms of reference
Explaining the terms of reference of the committee, Mr Opong-Fosu said , it would, among other issues, establish whether the laws, processes and procedures or importation, clearing, storage, protection and distribution of ammonium nitrate were followed in the granting of permits and licences to Messrs Stellar Logistics, Green Light Logistics and other such companies.
He said the committee would also establish breaches, if any, of the law, processes and procedures in granting permits or licences to the companies involved.
Mr Opong-Fosu said there was the need for public servants to serve with integrity because “once you chose to be in the public service, you have the responsibility to protect the integrity of the public service so that the citizenry that you are representing will have confidence in what you do.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Professor Simpson, said its members would discharge their responsibility “as diligently and as thoroughly as we can with an open mind.”