VIII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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C. Institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms

Existing institutional structures have tended to fragment multisectoral issues, such as those covering the environment, into discrete areas of departmental responsibility. Thus environmental issues are dealt with on a sector-by-sector and project-by-project basis, and not on a nationally integrated basis. The responsibilities for the environment are consequently spread over several government establishments, depending on their core functions. Some of the consequences of that approach include overlapping and even duplication of functions, a lack of clear demarcation in the respective functions and responsibilities and even conflicts. The problems are exacerbated by the inaction of the Environmental Planning Section and IDEC, the two establishments that were supposed to direct and coordinate environmentally-related policies and activities of other government establishments. Other consequences and resultant weaknesses of official neglect of the environment include the absence of the necessary coordinating mechanisms, insufficient staff qualified in the environmental disciplines, inadequate financial provisions and inadequate infrastructure.

mmendations

It is recommended that:

• Urgent attention be given to identifying areas where there are institutional conflicts in responsibilities and functions, such as water supply and resources, and the necessary steps be taken to rectify them;
• Every effort be made to introduce legally-binding mechanisms that ensure consultation and coordination among all the government establishments responsible for the various areas of the environment
• More resources, both financial and manpower, be made available to those institutions that have direct responsibilities for the environment and natural resources.

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