Mayisela
17 July 2006
The North West MEC responsible for Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment, Mandlenkosi Mayisela, last week met with developers and
consultants in the province in a workshop that was aimed at addressing some of
the challenges facing the two parties' working relations.
According to the National Environment Management Act, developers must
acquire authorisation from the department prior to the commencement of any
construction or development. The Act states that upon receipt of the
application to develop the identified area, the department must conduct an
Environmental Impact Assessment, after which a decision has to be made.
During the workshop that was attended by more than 60 consultants and
developers at Rustenburg, Mayisela expressed his discontent regarding the
manner in which applications are being done.
"Our department has realised that consultants do not want to play by the
game. We are aware that many consultants withhold certain information, that the
department needs to know, and this tactic eventually delays the process of
authorising the application. We end up having a load of applications with
information that need to be verified first. We are also aware that some engage
in activities that were not indicated in the application," said Mayisela.
Mayisela also advised these stakeholders to always ensure that the projects
that they need to develop are on the identified municipalities' Integrated
Development Plans (IDP) list. He told them that according to the new
environment regulation, consultants who do not comply with the department's
expectations should be punished.
Responding to the MEC's expressions, consultants requested the department to
avail the formal format on application compliance and promised to drive this
vehicle to the right direction, to ensure that both parties reach their
intended destination.
The department also promised to continue to impress upon other government
departments to also comply with the regulation. "Now that we have reached a
harmonious agreement, we are hoping that concerns regarding the delay in
authorising the applications will be a thing of the past," concluded MEC for
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
Enquiries:
Ms Motlalepula Rosho
Director: Communication
Tel: (018) 389 5346
Cell: 082 806 7326
E-mail: mrosho@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
17 July 2006
Source: North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
(http://www.nwdace.gov.za)
