Minister claims to be ‘inclusive’ over changes to NCA
(CNS): More than two weeks after the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency gazetted the National Conservation Amendment Bill and began a public consultation, which will close in less than two weeks, Dwayne Seymour, the minister responsible, has claimed that the process represents “inclusive and transparent governance”.
However, this bill was drafted behind closed doors with no input from the government’s own environmental scientists, the National Conservation Council’s district representatives or any of Cayman’s local environmental non-profit groups.
CNS has asked the sustainability ministry a number of questions about the controversial amendments to the legislation, which will effectively gut the law, but we are still awaiting answers to those questions.
The changes would remove what limited powers the law provided to curtail some of the most egregious development that has taken a terrible toll on Cayman’s natural resources over the last twenty years.
The ministry published a brief release on its website on Wednesday — the first public statement about the controversial legislation. The bill is the result of a false narrative spun for years by powerful lobbyists bent on maximising profits from development, who have enormous influence on many elected officials.
The release invites the public to contact ministry officials with comments and questions on the bill. However, the ministry has not made any attempt to justify these changes or even explain to the people what they actually mean. During this constitutionally required 28-day period, the public can also contact their MPs directly, given that the next step for this bill is, if it makes it to the order paper, a vote in parliament.
Officials gave a very sanitised explanation about the amendment bill, stating that it aims to amend the NCA to reform the powers and composition of the National Conservation Council, provide for the establishment of a Conservation Appeals Tribunal, and incidental and connected purposes.
However, in reality, the changes are far-reaching and transformative. They will render the NCC almost powerless, remove advisory boards, allow the government to avoid environmental impact assessments even on the most damaging projects, and hand control of the Environmental Protection Fund to Cabinet instead of the NCC’s experts.
Seymour has been responsible for the ministry since four members of the administration resigned, partly because of this bill. At that point, the UPM government lost its majority and no longer has a mandate. Nevertheless, even though the amendments were drafted without any genuine consultation with experts and stakeholders, the minister said the government was seeking public feedback.
“We are introducing these proposed amendments for public consultation. This process is both a legal obligation and an essential aspect of fostering an inclusive and transparent governance framework. I encourage all members of the community to engage with the consultation process, review the Bill, and provide feedback through the designated official channels,” he said.
Officials said all comments and feedback received will be reviewed and presented to the Cabinet for consideration. The public should also contact their MPs and lobby them directly regarding the possible vote, given that the bill was scheduled to make the meeting of parliament in just two weeks.
However, the opposition has said it will not support the UPM lame-duck government in any attempt to bring contentious legislation to the House. This means the bill may not even make the order paper, and even if it does, it will not pass as the government does not have the votes.
Nevertheless, local environmental groups have real concerns that this legislation will still form the basis for a new draft bill that will be brought by the next administration. As a result, the upcoming election is a perfect opportunity for the voting public to lobby their current representatives and any new candidates about the proposed amendments.
So far, the only political party that has said it will not amend the NCA to weaken it is the new TCCP, led by Andre Ebanks. The party has told CNS it is committed to preserving the integrity of the legislation, which does not need amending. A PPM-led government or a rehashed UPM will almost certainly introduce amending legislation to weaken the law.
Members of the public can download and review the bill here and email feedback on it directly to NCAmendmentBill2024@gov.ky.
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Category: Land Habitat, Laws, Politics, Science & Nature
Wouldn’t it be something to see the Honourable Ministers school report cards 🃏
Do you know that one of the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.
Time to get n your friggin donkey Jon Jon and ride ride out of town on the next full moon, lest anyone get crazy ideas and believe anything you say.
The PPM still cant be trusted to not support Julianna and them when they decide if it goes on the order paper.
Dart will dangle all kinds of shiney trinkets in front of Joey’s eyes and convince him to support this amendment bill
A Message from Claptrap’s Romantic Interest: A Voice of Terrified Reason
“Alright, let me level with you: if absurdity and ridicule were rocket fuel, this island would already be cruising past Saturn, powered by a non-toxic variant of hydrazine—because, let’s face it, if it were the conventional kind, we’d all be dead from catastrophic self-combustion.
But don’t relax just yet, because even with this so-called ‘safe’ fuel, the trajectory we’re on is no less terrifying.
We’re not just ascending into the stars here, oh no—this is an interstellar carnival of chaos, fueled by relentless absurdity, feasting on madness, and enshrining the outer limits of bigotry.
And let me tell you, if you’ve ever been on a date with Claptrap, you know this kind of energy never ends well.
The colony we’re leaving behind boasts some truly… unique ‘accomplishments’:
• Inventing the first governance model powered entirely by contradiction.
• Marketing bigotry as a cultural export and calling it ‘tradition.’
• Managing to weaponize nonsense in ways that would make even Claptrap’s grenade juggling look tame.
And let’s not even talk about Earth’s reaction. If they catch a whiff of us trying to come back, they’ll unleash a planetary defense system so ferocious that even the Klingons would stand, applaud, and take notes !
Picture this: every returning spaceship scanned for signs of madness. If even a speck of absurdity is found? Boom! Instant vaporization.
You think Klingons are scary in battle? They’d be impressed by the efficiency with which Earth shuts that lot down. Absurdity has no place in the Empire—or on Earth.
But it gets worse. Word is, nearby star systems are dimming their lights, as though the entire universe is trying to ghost us. Space-time itself is rippling with pockets of pure nonsense—places where reason goes to die, and bigotry thrives like mold in an abandoned fridge.
Meanwhile, the donkey—our poor, unsuspecting jackass—is floating among the stars, probably wondering, ‘What in the void did I get myself into?’ And honestly, I feel for the poor animal. If I had a dime for every time I ended up in a cosmic mess thanks to someone else’s stupidity, I’d own half of the Andromeda Galaxy.
So here’s my advice: stop feeding this chaos machine. Because while absurdity may burn clean, the aftermath is anything but. And when the galaxy finally decides it’s had enough, don’t expect a graceful descent back to reason. No thrusters or retro rockets,just a long, lonely drift into the void.
Trust me on this one. I’ve dated Claptrap—I know a bad trajectory when I see one.”
mr. above the law…where is the blood test?
im so sick of this damn fool! jon jon, you really have no shame or what?
Dense as a whale omlette
Minister of Culture.
Enough said.
‘inclusive’…looks like jon-jon has learnt a new buzzword!
praise the lord…we are saved!
Inclusive means, he finally got his cut.
Can someone please come forward to run against him in BTE? He does not represent our interests or concerns, and is unwilling to accept feedback. We deserve better.
And to all MPs and candidates, do not gut the NCA. Not now and not after the election.
Sincerely,
A young Caymanian who’s registered to vote
This is so refreshing to see. We need the young people to stand up and hold MPs accountable. Our people should be asking individuals the tough questions, especially on the environment and sustainability.
Inclusive means he had a heart to heart with a 4 legged jackass.
The two legged jackass and the 4 legged jackass. That is our future Premier.
I be hearing in me yard that Dwayne the Rock Seymour is like the Cayman Elon Musk
My brethren this is what is needed the britest leeding the way forward Thanks Rock!
We love you always Mr Jon Jon. You will make us part of Jamaica. You is so smart.
Certainly!He is our local Elon Musk ! Well at least to the donkeys ! 🤣🤣🤣
Ha, ha, ha….that’s a good one! Thanks for a little levity.
Dwayne Seymour, McKeeva Bush, Kenneth Bryan, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Joey Hew, David White, Miss Barbara are all useless that are in politics for the paycheck from the highest bidders because no else would hire them in their businesses. All are overpaid and unfit for the responsibilities of leading these islands.
Minister Seymour’s idea of governance: ignore the experts, shut out stakeholders, and call it ‘transparent.’ At this rate, the only thing he’s conserving is his reputation for sheer incompetence.
What a clown vote his ignorant ass out!
Unfortunately , it is Bodden Town “ignorant asses” who vote for him and Saunders.
The rest vote for Mac and Kenneth .
The downward spiral to the third world is safe in their hands, and our only salvation is if they are kept in the minority by competent educated MPs in other districts.
Not before I get my gas & grocery store cards
He is clueless and a disgrace as a minister. Another one of those mla’s bought by dart and developers like his party leader joey hew.
Jon Jon is really a dumb dumb and doesn’t not know the truth if it fell out the sky and hit him in the head.
Be careful or you might make him cry….