By Ralph Sesay
Sierra Leone’s new Minister of Environment, Professor Moribah Jaward has on Thursday,23rd January,2020 met the press at the usual Ministry of Information and Communications press briefing in Freetown to unveil his blueprint for the effective management of the country’s environment.
The new Minister of the Environment who is the first in the country’s history was appointed in a cabinet reshuffle by the President on the 7th November, 2019.
In his maiden meeting with newsmen Professor Jaward noted that President Bio was right in having spotted himself and his Deputy, Mr Syril S.J.Jusu all seasoned environmentalist to led Sierra Leone’s environmental transformation.
The New Minister of Environment presented an update on planned programs and activities for 2020 with specific focus on environmental standards and regulations.
He highlighted the mandate and vision of the new Ministry, available Acts and laws creating a number of Departments and Agencies all geared towards protecting the environment.
Professor Jaward emphasized that even though there are a number of Acts and legislations on the environment ,the lack of adequate regulations to support these Acts is a major challenge, he noted.
He used the occasion to single out his personal achievements as Executive Chairman ,Environment Protection Agency (EPA) which includes increase public awareness raising; establishment of an environmental court,establishment of strong partnerships with MDA’s and CSO’s ;strengthening of monitoring activities on the operations of companies and the hotel industry to ensure compliance amongst several others.
The seasoned Environmentalist had also suggested that his two months in office as the new Environment Minister has been preoccupied with establishing the organizational and institutional framework of the Ministry, securing accommodation, developing an annual Strategic Plan for the fiscal year 2020 and a host of other preparatory arrangements.
He also used the occasion to unveil his planned activities for 2020 which are largely in tandem with the Government of Sierra Leone Medium Term National Development Framework 2019-2023.
The blue print had identified office accommodation; improving knowledge of key stakeholders, amending the existing Environment Management Act 2020, increased partnerships with local councils as some of his key interventions for 2020.
The Minister however cited weak legislative framework, enforcement and compliance, weak institutional and human resource capacity, poor intra and inter-ministerial cooperation as some of the challenges facing effective environmental management in the country.