New environment law spells stiffer penalties

New environment law spells stiffer penalties
By Kabanda Chulu
Tue 06 Mar. 2012, 11:00 CAT

COMPANIES or people flouting environmental procedures will now face stiffer punishment with increased fines as outlined in the new environmental management Act of 2011.

According to provisions of the new legislative framework that has replaced the environmental protection and pollution control Act of 1990, penalties for not conducting an environmental impact assessment will attract a penalty of K126 million or five years imprisonment.

Penalties for not keeping or submitting records to Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) will attract a K54 million fine or three years imprisonment.

Contravention of environmental standards and guidelines would cost K126 million or seven years imprisonment while offences relating to chemical spillage would K90 million or five years in prison.

Offence relating to hazardous matters would attract a penalty of K180 million or 10 years imprisonment.

Under enforcement orders, offences under waste management will attract a penalty of K18 million or one year imprisonment and licence holders who breach conditions of a licence will pay K54 million or three years imprisonment.