Daily Times

Interim Sindh government directed Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to issue No Objection Certificates (NOC) to members of Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD).

“Following due official process, SEPA should ensure issuance of NOCs to ABAD members since the NOCs have been pending for a long time now” said Sindh Information Minister Jameel Yousuf during a meeting with members of ABAD.

Jameel Yousuf told ABAD representatives that he had also experienced bureaucratic hurdles and they were the main reason behind delays. During the meeting, the caretaker Information minister and ABAD agreed on fast track processing and disposal of applications submitted by builders and developers for NOCs.

“The Department would resolve issues regarding issuance of NOCs to builders and developers and in this regard a letter has been written to Director General of SEPA to issue NOCs immediately after due process according to rules,” said Jameel Yousuf before adding that businessmen had invested a huge amount of money into their businesses and they could not afford to wait for a long period of time.

“It looks like no official is ready to work but new additional Chief Secretary Mukhtiar Soomro is trying his best to streamline the work of department,” said the caretaker minister for information.

The minister issued on the spot orders to relevant officials and directed them to respond to proponent within seven days and fulfill all obligations within stipulated time frame according to rules and regulations.

He also agreed with ABAD’s suggestion that section 17(4) of SEPA Act, which was regarding timeframe of issuance of NOC, should be printed on prescribed form.

During the meeting, ABAD representatives proposed that all applications of ABAD for NOCs should be forwarded by ABAD to SEPA for further processing and for that ABAD would coordinate between its members and SEPA as well.

During the meeting, ABAD Chairman Arif Yousuf Jeewa complained that despite stipulated time frame, SEPA was using delaying tactics, that was bothering builders and developers as their projects were delayed due to non-availability of environmental NOCs.

He said that SEPA should also issue acknowledgement to proponents. He added that ABAD was willing to play its role for swift resolution of issues.

“ABAD will collect all such applications and forward to SEPA for further processing. Focal persons from both the sides should also be appointed for better coordination,” said Jeewa.

ABAD senior vice chairman Fayyaz Ilyas, Southern region chairman Altaf Tai, former senior Vice Chairman Hassan Bakshi, Environment additional Chief Secretary Mukhtiar Soomro, SEPA additional general Noman Mughal and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Published in Daily Times, July 20^th 2018.