Lagos adopts Environmental Impact Assessment report for projects
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to adopt the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for projects in the state.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool which provides decision makers the necessary information to satisfactorily assess both the environmental and social effects of a proposed project.
The Lagos state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare gave the indication at a two-day Stakeholders’ Engagement on Environmental Impact Assessment for Dredging and Land Reclamation Projects in Lagos State.
The event according to the commissioner was aimed at sensitising major stakeholders on the issue.
“Environmental Impact Assessment ensures that people to be affected by the project are carried along in the project implementation process. It reduces or eliminates conflicts between project proponents and community members, while it enhances public acceptance of projects and their sustainability,” Adejare said
According to him “Environmental Impact Assessment ensures that the potential Impacts of a proposed project are identified and measures for mitigation proffered before the commencement of the project”.
He noted that EIA was a vital part of project implementation process in which community members must be involved.
The Commissioner therefore enjoined communities to have interest in any proposed project brought to their domain and demand for EIA on such projects to forestall untoward consequences.
The Environment Commissioner debunked some of the misconceptions about EIA, stressing that carrying out of EIA is neither money making venture for government nor a waste of time and resources. It is also not a child play or noise made by regulating agencies.
Adejare maintained that the relevant stakeholders in environmental impact assessment process are the appropriate regulatory agencies,
project host community, community leaders and people affected by the project.
Source: Voice of Nigeria
