New laws to protect PNG’s environment
Copyright 2000, Post-Courier (PNG)
December 27, 2000
THE Office of Environment and Conservation has developed a legislation to be used in support of the new environment law.
First Assistant Director Environment Gunther Joku told the Post-Courier that officers were putting together the environment (prescribed activity) regulation, environment (permit transition) regulation, Council Procedures Regulation and environment (fees and charges) regulation, all of which will be supporting the new environment law.
“There are other legislation that will need to be developed but these we believe are essential to the working of the Act,” he said.
Mr Joku said this in response to comments made by Wep Kanawi, spokesman for a non-government environmental watch group, who had said that it was of utmost important that the enabling schedules for the recently enacted environment law, were prepared as a matter of urgency.
Mr Kanawi welcomed the new law and said the enactment of the Environment Bill 1998, was a milestone in PNG’s efforts to better and more sustainably manage the environment and conserve its natural treasures.
“The passage of this bill by our legislators is an enormous step forward and is very much in keeping with global trends. This is a far, well deserved and overdue Christmas present for the country and we are thankful for it,” he said.
“The objectives of this new law are many but the more important aspects of it cover the protection of the environment and the maintenance of ecological processes which support life, including humans.
“It also makes it mandatory for due diligence to be given to both short and long-term social and environmental considerations in negotiating, planning and implementing large scale resource development in all sectors of the economy.”
He welcomed provisions on hefty penalties that would be imposed on companies who did not comply with their environmental permits. He said it was a relief that PNG’s legislators were now showing they cared for the environment.
“More importantly the Act provides for hefty penalties ranging from K20,000 for individuals and K250,000 fines for corporations or imprisonment for up to five years if they violate protection orders issued under its provisions. Offending companies and individuals will also be required to clean up their mess,” he said.