III. MECHANISMS FOR INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO SECTOR POLICIES AND FOR MONITORING

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A. Experience and current mechanism for, and future direction of, coordination among relevant ministries  and agencies

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5. EIA Oversight Committee

The responsibility of the Oversight Committee, which functions within the purview of PAA, is to oversee the progress of the EIA process. Chaired by the designated head of the concerned PAA, it also independently assesses and coordinates specialized aspects of the EIA process, as well as any conflicts of interest, with the assistance of a temporary technical subcommittee as described in the next subsection. Furthermore, it aids in monitoring implemented projects, particularly in regard to their evaluation and compliance with the conditions of approval. The Administrative Secretary of the Committee is a member of the PAA Environmental Cell. The Committee includes a CEA representative and a small number of members who represent each of the primary and environmentally important components of PAA, including those with legal responsibilities affecting project approval. It meets quarterly or more frequently, and performs the following functions:

• Advises the chairman (as the legally responsible person for EIA compliance under the NEA) on EIA process decisions;

• Oversees PAA compliance with the EIA requirements and NEA policies;

• Identifies the need for policy and procedural direction to PAA components on improving EIA compliance;

• Makes project decisions based on completed EIAs;

• Assesses the problems and make recommendations for resolving those problems;

• Facilitates EIA preparation through close liaison with the project proponents;
• Receives and evaluates compliance monitoring reports.

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