Cap. 504 Art. 48Request by the Minister to the Authority to prepare a plan or policy.

(1) The Authority shall, either out of its own motion, but after consultation with the Minister, or if so requested by the

Minister, make a plan or a policy on any matter relating to the environment and development planning.

(2) The Authority may also, either out of its own motion, but after consultation with the Minister, or if so requested by the Minister, review a plan or a policy which is already in force.

(3) The Minister shall, upon making such a request in writing, send to the Authority the reasons for making such a request together with a statement of goals and objectives to be attained by the plan or policy or a revision of such plan or policy. Provided that the Minister may, without prejudice to the provisions of articles 51 to 53 and article 58, set out any additional procedure that the Authority ought to follow, including the carrying out of assessments, and may also carry out any assessments and, or consultations, including public consultations, he may deem necessary.

(5) If the Authority, upon a request by the Minister in terms of sub-article (1), informs the Minister, within thirty days of receipt of such a request, that it is unable, for whatever reason, to prepare such a plan or policy, the Minister shall instruct the Authority to delegate such functions in terms of article 9 with regard to that particular plan or policy and in so doing it shall ensure that the provisions of this Part are complied with.