Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has revealed it was widely influenced during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Over the increase of complains regarding the illegal removal of trees and coconut palms, EPA was summoned to the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Climate Change. Answering a question posed by the committee, Director General of EPA Ibrahim Naeem said certain powers were taken over by Ministry of Environment during the previous administration. He also assured EPA is a professional body which will continue to implementing its mandate.
Furthermore, Naeem noted EPA was working under political pressure resulting in several challenges. He revealed even if EPA recommended to halt a project due to the consequences and impacts on the environment, the government has the authority to overrule the decision.