Minister of Health, Kenneth Darroux, has revealed that Cabinet has approved the setting up of a special court for dealing with environmental offences.
This initiative serves as a response to the Zika virus, which was declared a “regional and international public health issue” by the World Health Organization.
Darroux explained at a press conference on Wednesday that there would be a day set aside for the court to convene, with an assigned special magistrate presiding over environmental matters.
He expressed his hope that this process will help individuals take responsibility for their actions, in regards to the environment.
“I’m really pleased to announce that just yesterday, at Cabinet level, recognizing the threat of the Zika virus, and of course, looking at the longer term implications, especially as it pertains to keeping our environment and our country clean, that the Cabinet would have given the green light in the setting up of a special environmental court, with a special magistrate to look at environmental offenders… to deal speedily with those environmental issues,” he said. “So, I’m hoping that this will go a long way into ensuring and enforcing and assuring individual responsibility.”
He addressed concerns from Chief Environmental Officer, Anthony Scotland, that environmental cases do not take priority in court, and offenders roam freely without due punishment.
“The Chief Environmental Officer spoke his lament, and also his officers would lament the so-called lack of support from the judicial system, the legal system, when environmental offenders are brought before the court and while there are regulations and laws exist to strengthen them, the frustrations have been many,” Darroux acknowledged.
According to Scotland, the standing punishment for environmental offenders is a fine of $1,000, and/or a three-month term of imprisonment.
The Minister dressed for jouvert man!
You mean that is more important than a family court?
We need a special court for justice for G.O.N Emanuel.
Every time any Dominican looks at Skerritt, they should remember that this man and his friends have BLOCKED justice for a senior distinguished Dominican who was subjected to an attempt on his life and had his firm’s money ( a lot of it) and his own savings purloined in circumstances where blame could only be put on the Skerritt’s lawyer, Isidore – who is still happily practising law undeterred.
Pollution of the environment comes from many sources; solid and liquid waste, stagnant water, organophosphates, noise etc. Living in a peaceful community without noise pollution has become a matter of urgency for many Dominicans all over the island.
The noise comes from boom boxes, loud music, specially designed motor cycles and cars as a menacing environmental problem. Will the environment court also consider these cases to fastrack conviction of the perpetrators? At least we can claim, when this is done, to have some peace in our communities, which will make Dominica a better place to live and work.
Carnival activities, some church functions and some events are momentarily load however, they should not be dealt with within this court.
so if I get caught with 30 kilo of coke or if I kill someone I can get bail right ? but if in case I forget to clean my garbage bin…..then I go straight to jail correct ?? so I just want ot know if I put coke in my dirty garbage bin ,..i’m ok right ??
by the way : the minister looking for a sponsor to get a mirror at his home. because with the way he dressed I don’t think he has one
What is this guy wearing??? what a mess. lol
Always Assertive!
Government should be taken to court first especially for areas like the huge blocked drain at the end of the Melville Hall air strip where the sea water settles from allu worthless sea wall project.
Point allu fingers in the right direction first, use tax payers money wisely. Use it to cleanup the country.
****NOT SO URGENT AS SEXUAL ASSAULTS****
Minister of Health, Kenneth Darroux, has revealed that Cabinet has approved the setting up of a special court for dealing with environmental offences.
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It would have been much better if a SPECIAL court was established to deal “speedily” with sexual crimes: rapists, child molesters and sexual assaults!!
This, I strongly believe is of a greater threat to the fabric of this country!!
-Thanks
What I really want to hear about is how much of that alleged $124 million net profit from passport sales you all have gracefully set aside to aid in this potential infestation?
We need a passport court too.