Minister Thoriq stated that the government will source the necessary resources required by EPA and offer full support to solidify the agency's operations. He added that the government however, currently have no plans to establish EPA as an independent body
Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has stated that the government currently has no plans to establish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an independent body.
In the verdict released by the Supreme Court after overturning the High Court's order regarding the suspension of the Gulhi Falhu land reclamation, Justice Husnu Al Suood emphasized that the government must provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with all necessary legal freedom, power, facilities, and sufficient funding to fulfill their mandate of protecting the country's environment.
During the press conference held at the President's Office earlier this morning, a journalist had raised the question of granting legal autonomy to EPA.
In response, Minister Thoriq Ibrahim stated that the government will source the necessary human resources and other essentials required by EPA and offer full support to solidify the agency's operations. Although EPA is not an independent body, he emphasized that the government is making efforts to ensure the agency continues to work as independently as possible.
"We currently have no plans to establish EPA as an independent body," said Thoriq.
EPA was established through a resolution enacted by former President Mohamed Nasheed in December 2008. The agency carries out work assigned by the Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy and implements guidelines issued by the Ministry. The government also seeks the EPA's consultation and participation at varying degrees during the drafting of guidelines. While the Ministry does not intervene in the EPA's day-to-day operations, it has the final say in all decisions. Establishing the EPA as an independent agency would involve granting it autonomous decision-making powers, enabling it to operate without direct oversight from the Ministry.
The previous administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had also deliberated on establishing EPA as an independent body. This initiative was a presidential pledge made by Solih during his 2018 presidential campaign. However, his term concluded without EPA's status being changed.
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