A SECTION of legislators want the government to elevate the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) to authority status to current lack of enforcement power.

Kasalali Emmanuel Mageni (Sumve), expressed frustration with NEMC’s abilities particularly when it comes to noise pollution, arguing that a change in status is essential for effective protection of the environment.

MPs were contributing to debate on the programme of action and budget estimates for the Union and Environment wing of the Vice President’s Office (VPO), delivered by Hamad Yusuf Masauni, the minister.

They called for greater empowered of NEMC at a time when concerns over environmental degradation are intensifying, while NEMC, despite being responsible for overseeing the environment, lacks the legal authority to hold individuals and organizations accountable for environmental destruction. 

This limitation hampers its ability to enforce regulations and take decisive actions against environmental violations, the MP noted, underlining that while NEMC takes action against noisy entertainment venues, other authorities often intervene.

This undermines the council’s efforts, preventing effective supervision of environmental regulations, he said, demanding an end to citizens made o suffer from noise pollution in entertainment places.

“Even when NEMC steps in, it faces interference from other authorities, making it difficult to implement policies effectively,” he stated, insisting that the environment was under threat due to human activities.

“We need a stronger authority to hold those responsible for polluting the environment,” he declared, while Handeni MP Reuben Kwagilwa seconded that NEMC be upgraded from a council to an authority to allow it to function more effectively. 

As a council, NEMC lacks the legal backing to carry out its duties professionally and efficiently, thus the council’s current structure set up under the 1997 law “has led to confusion and overlapping responsibilities with the minister responsible for the environment,” he stated.

The government collects fines from environmental violations without using those funds to address underlying causes, he said, asserting that other countries successfully managing their environmental challenges set up autonomous authorities for the task

 Esther Bulaya (Special Seats, Opposition) pointed out that the law does not sufficiently separate the responsibilities of the relevant minister from the daily operations of NEMC.

This lack of separation leads to inefficiencies and delays in decision-making, as the minister is currently involved in issuing permits and licenses, in addition to overseeing the council’s operations, she stated.

“The minister should be the final authority for appeals, not interfere with the daily functions of NEMC,” she said, affirming that NEMC needs to have the power to take decisive action against those who destroy the environment, without waiting for approval from higher authorities.

She stressed that the current structure of NEMC, as a council, allows individuals and businesses to conduct harmful activities with little fear of enforcement, thus the government must give NEMC the teeth to deal with environmental violations.

The government has yet to respond formally to the MPs' suggestions, but the debate highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the country’s environmental laws and policies, analysts noted.