Opposition says Gov’t’s decision to appeal court ruling on environmental permit for Bengal Development follows trend of autocratic tendencies

Opposition Senator, Dr. Maziki Thame, has claimed that the Government’s decision to appeal a recent court ruling on the environmental permit issued to Bengal Development Limited is part of a trend of autocratic tendencies.

Last week, the Constitutional Court ruled that the 2020 environmental permit issued to the company for a limestone mining project was unconstitutional.

The decision marked a significant win for residents of St. Ann who mounted a legal challenge against the approval.

The Court’s judgment halts plans for quarrying in the Dry Harbour mountains, an area regarded as environmentally sensitive.

The permit was granted after Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, in his role as the Minister responsible for the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, overturned the Agency’s earlier decision to deny the mining application.

Information Minister, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, confirmed that the ruling would be appealed during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday.

Dr. Thames, while making her contribution to the Upper House debates on the National Reconstruction Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill yesterday, claimed that the Government’s decision follows the trend of similar past actions.