Nicholas says that DoE will oversee public consultations on WISEZ and that developer’s breach of law was inadvertent

The Western Imperial Special Economic Zone Agreement reared its head again today during the post-Cabinet press briefing, with Information Minister Melford Nicholas asserting that the developer must now adhere to national guidelines.

The Minister says that government agencies, including the Department of the Environment, will be overseeing the process of public consultations on the controversial Special Economic Zone.

In reference to the official order halting what some residents see as the indiscriminate clearing of land, Nicholas attempted to excuse the developer.  He says he imagines that what the investor had in mind was to create paths for access ahead of building roads.  

Asked if the developer would be penalized for breaking the law, the Minister says he believes the breach was not deliberate; however, he passed that buck on to the national agencies.