|
State
Minister, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,
Senator Dr. The Honourable Ronald Robinson, today (October 2, 2007)
made a courtesy call on the National Environment and Planning Agency
(NEPA). The meeting was Dr. Robinson’s first with an agency outside
his portfolio. At the meeting, Dr. Robinson met with NEPA’s Chief
Executive Officer, Dr. Leary Myers, and several of the Agency’s
Managers and Directors.
Dr. Robinson
in his address, noted that NEPA will play an integral role in the
government’s plan to increase investment in Jamaica, adding that the
government is committed to creating a balance between development
and the environment, emphasising that all must be done to sustain
the integrity of Jamaica’s environment and natural resources.
Dr. Robinson
said the 90 day processing time for permits, as outlined by Prime
Minister, The Honourable Bruce Golding, will be on target as all the
relevant agencies will be streamlined so that the approval process
can be expedited.
The State Minister also noted that attention will be placed on the
Kingston Harbour and the Palisadoes/Port Royal Protected Area. Dr.
Robinson noted that the environmental health of the Harbour is
critical as Jamaica boasts the seventh largest natural harbour in
the world. Measures to control pollutants which continue to deplete
the Harbour, Dr. Robinson said, will have to be addressed. As for
the Palisadoes/Port Royal Protected Area, the State Minister says he
will be in dialogue with the government to see what recommendations
can be implemented, once he has perused the study which was
conducted on the area by NEPA last year.
NEPA’s Chief
Executive Officer, Dr. Leary Myers, welcomed Dr. Robinson’s
commitment to supporting the environment, adding that the Agency is
committed to doing its part in sustaining Jamaica’s land, wood and
water. Dr. Myers also noted that he looks forward to having dialogue
with the government on how environmental and developmental plans can
be strengthened.
At the
meeting, updates were given to the State Minister on the progress
being made by Jamaica as it relates to several environmental
conventions and protocols. So far Jamaica has ratified the following
conventions and protocols: The Montréal Protocol on substances that
deplete the Ozone Layer; The United Nations framework on Climate
Change; The Convention on Biological Diversity; The Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); The Convention on
Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
(Basel Convention); and The Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance (RAMSAR), especially as Waterfowl Habitats.
|
