Environmental impact assessment in Nigeria- A review

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an essential tool used for decision making in a developmental projects as well as a systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed actions and projects; the process is applied prior to major decisions and commitments being made. This paper makes a systematic review of the challenges relating to the application of Environmental Impact Assessment in Nigeria, in order to achieve sustainable development. The present review describes the laws, basic principles, procedures, sustainability and impact of EIA on biological aspect, meanwhile the paper also emphases on the constraints of EIA in Nigeria.

Barriers to environmental impact assessment implementation for construction projects in Nigeria

“…This instability had contributed to the slowdown of development performance in Nigeria (Fagbadebo, 2007). Experience especially in respect of infrastructural projects has shown that EIA is hardly undertaken prior to the approval of most projects in Nigeria; and that, there is duplication of functions and overlapping responsibilities in processes and procedures guiding the execution of the various impact assessment tasks due to too many regulatory bodies (Ibrahim et al, 2020). If there is stability in regulatory regimes, the benefits attributed to EIA will be fully achieved.…”

“…This result is in support of Hartley and Wood (2005) findings which reported poor public knowledge of legal issues as major barrier to effective public participation in EIA practices. Study has reported that, there is delay in the execution of EIA in Nigeria due to the inadequacies and misinterpretations of various regulatory statutes (Ibrahim et al, 2020). This finding suggests that there is need to enlighten principle stakeholders regarding the legal issues surrounding EIA practices in the country.…”

“…The guiding principles for EIA implementation have been developed in the past studies (Sen ecal et al, 1999). Ibrahim et al (2020) listed some of the documented principles and their descriptions as shown in Table 1.…”

“…The result of survey by Keftin et al (2009) in Nigeria show that building construction activities constitutes the following adverse impacts: destruction of the vegetation, energy/material wastages, noise of construction operations, air pollution, dust, soil erosion and desertification, water pollution, flooding, visual disturbance and loss of wildlife. According to Ibrahim et al (2020), Nigeria has severe environmental dreadful conditions resulting from pollution which is linked to the oil and gas industry. Also, burning coal to produce steam for electricity, and large amounts of greenhouse gases are sources of environmental impact (Ijigah et al, 2013).…”

“…) acknowledgment of the impacts of construction projects on ecosystems, economic, environment and social factors (Lacoma, 2019;Keftin, 2015;Ijigah et al, 2013). Secondly, evidence arising from literature suggests that the EIA practices have a positive contribution towards achieving sustainability, increased transparency and accountability throughout the development process, improved project design, good tool for prudent environment management, more informed decision-making and reducing adverse environmental impacts (Byju's, 2021;Ibrahim et al, 2020;Weaver et al, 2008;Roy, 2001). More importantly, the advent of technology has enhanced the process of EIA.…”