By Ify Onyekwere
Environmental experts have called for urgent amendments to Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act to address its inadequacies and align it with current ecological and socioeconomic realities. The demand was made during a one-day national dialogue hosted by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) in collaboration with OXFAM Nigeria and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Themed “Engaging Stakeholders on Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act,” the event brought together environmentalists, policymakers, civil society organizations, and corporate stakeholders to deliberate on the Act, which was last updated in 2004.
Participants highlighted several weaknesses in the current legislation, including outdated provisions, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited attention to emerging challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change. A major concern raised was the exclusion of local communities in environmental decision-making processes.
In his keynote address, Dr. David Michael Terungwa, Executive Director of GIFSEP, emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to align its environmental regulations with global best practices. “Environmental sustainability is fundamental to sustainable development,” he noted, warning that outdated frameworks threaten both biodiversity and future generations.
The discussions spotlighted high-profile development projects like the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which, while essential for economic growth, pose risks to the environment if not properly managed. Dr. Terungwa stressed that balancing development with environmental preservation is critical to achieving Nigeria’s sustainability goals.
Professor Jude Nduka Omeje of the University of Abuja, speaking on the sidelines of the event, underscored the need for a more adaptive EIA Act to address contemporary challenges. He cited examples of deforestation caused by large-scale housing projects and recommended reforestation initiatives to mitigate climate impacts.
Key recommendations from the dialogue included:
- Strengthening enforcement mechanisms to prevent noncompliance.
- Integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into the EIA framework.
- Mandating frequent environmental audits and imposing stiffer penalties for violations.
- Enhancing public awareness on the importance of EIA protocols.
- Ensuring the inclusion of host communities in environmental decision-making.
Stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja Geographic Information Service, and other agencies advocated for a modernized EIA Act to safeguard Nigeria’s ecosystems and natural resources while addressing developmental needs.
The dialogue concluded with a unanimous call for immediate action to reform the EIA Act, positioning Nigeria to better protect its environment and achieve its sustainability objectives.
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