EPA Faces Delays in Fine Collection Due to Resource Constraints
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged delays in collecting environment-related fines, citing insufficient funds and resources as primary challenges.
EPA officials were summoned before the Parliament’s Environment Committee yesterday to address concerns regarding the agency’s performance. Committee members expressed frustration over the delays, attributing them to alleged negligence by the EPA.
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In response, EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem outlined the multiple challenges hindering the recovery of fines from environmental offenders. He emphasised that existing regulations prevent the agency from pursuing legal action through the courts to claim outstanding fines. Naeem further highlighted that numerous cases involving vessels damaging coral reefs remain unresolved, with alleged offenders often denying responsibility despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Naeem also revealed that several EPA cases have been stockpiled at both the Auditor General’s Office and the Ministry of Environment, further complicating the agency’s efforts.
Despite a general consensus on the importance of enforcement, Naeem noted that the EPA lacks sufficient authority to take corrective action against offenders. He also pointed out that the agency did not have its own legal representative until recently, which has further hampered its efforts.
International contractors and businesses operating vessels, which are often subject to EPA fines, have robust legal teams that can impede the agency’s ability to enforce penalties. Naeem stressed that the situation is unlikely to improve until the EPA is allocated adequate resources to address these challenges.
He also noted that while fines have been imposed on local companies, the more substantial penalties are typically levied against international firms, with the EPA prioritising the recovery of these larger sums. Over the past two to three years, the agency has successfully recovered MVR 228 million from 37 cases.
In response to these issues, the Environment Committee assured the EPA that it would escalate cases related to fines to the Minister of Environment for further action. Additionally, the Budget Committee has pledged to increase the agency’s funding in the future.
While the EPA issues significant fines to those responsible for environmental damage, the state often does not receive these payments. Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has previously assured that the EPA will have the necessary freedom and authority to fulfil its mandate, despite the agency not having full autonomy.
