Minister tables ‘historic’ suite of environmental legislation

Minister tables ‘historic’ suite of environmental legislation
Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira addresses Bahamas National Trust’s Discovery Club Leaders Symposium at SuperClubs Breezes, July 29, 2019. (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Environment and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira yesterday tabled a bundle of environmental bills described as a “suite of the strongest and robust environmental legislation”.

Describing the move as ‘historic’, Ferreira tabled the Ministry of Environment Bill, the Environmental Planning and Protection Bill, the Environmental Protection Control of Plastics Bill, the Bahamas National Trust Amendment Bill, the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund Bill and the Tariff Amendment Bill #2.

“In 1987 Environment Health Services Act was passed and that Act established the Department of Environmental Health Services. As the name suggests that was historically was under the Ministry of Health. It is a historic day as we begin the transformation of the legislative landscape as it relates to the environment,” said Ferreira.

“We fixed the long-standing issues at the landfill, we fixed the emission of oil at Clifton Pier and now we are addressing the legislative vacuum that allows unscrupulous developers to continue to pollute and enhances the ability of two of our senior NGOs to function better in the job they perform,” said Ferreira.