Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change Budget for the year 2019

The Minister for Environment Energy and Climate Change Minister Wallace Cosgrow has presented the budget for 2019 at the National Assembly on 23rd November 2018. The Minister was accompanied by P.S Agricole Principal Secretary of Energy Climate Change Division, Mrs. Laure Director General for Waste Enforcement and Permit Division, Mr. Jean Claude Labrosse Project Officer in the Climate Change Division and Ms. Sabrina Belle Director for Administration and Human Resources.

Minister Wallace Cosgrow presented the budget of 92 Million Rupees before the Assembly. The Minister emphasized the importance of the use of Renewable energy. Seychelles as a Small Island Developing State should embrace renewable energy for its sustainable development, this will be an advantage to reduce on the amount money spent on non-renewable energy. Due to its continual process, installation of Solar PV on Ile Romainville financed by IRENA and the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. The Government of India will financed the Solar PV project on a number of Government buildings and provide free energy to Seychellois families who are currently receiving social assistance from the Government.

Further discussion was over importance of maintaining our coastal areas affected by global warming, due to various cases of coastal degradation the implementation of Coastal projects have been discussed, so to protect our coastal areas from the impact of sea level rise and the different long term project the Climate Change Division has been undertaking as well as the advantages of Solar and Wind Renewable Energy.

Diverse issues concerning the Department of Environment such as Noise Pollution, Coastal Pollution, Environment Impact Assessment and its working partnership with Planning Authority. The Environment Trust Fund, which next year will be in cooperated within the budget of the Ministry. Minister and his team noted in general that the amount of resources and budget allocated to the department is not enough to implement work excepted from the public, as public expectation is very high thus they have to priorities project.

Further explanation to the National Assembly was on the importance of protecting our rivers and marshes, there are a variety of species which habits these wetlands areas. Such areas are protected under the law, thus if there are any development near the Rivers and Marshes the MEECC and Planning Authority need to oversee the development. Drains in districts were lengthily discussed on as it is a concern for all districts during the rainy season, especially in coastal areas are often affected by flood.

Members of the Nation Assembly was provided with information related to Human Resources and establishment matters.  Further explanation was on the impact regarding lack of funding which is preventing the organization to recruit experienced and qualified personnel in certain key positions.

The members of the National Assembly voted for the proposed budget.