Minister harps on EIA for NDDC projects

The Minister for Environment, Amina Mohammed, has stressed the need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), on all major projects being executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in the oil-rich region.
The minister stated her position at an open forum held in Port Harcourt for the EIA of the Erema Ring Road Project in Rivers State. She underlined the importance of meeting with Stakeholders of host communities of NDDC Projects.
Amina Mohammed, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. F.B Ikomanah, described the people of Erema community as peaceful, noting that the road when constructed would enhance the socio-economic livelihood of the people.
He said: “I thank the NDDC, for taking cognizance of the EIA of its project, it goes to show that NDDC, has the interest of the host communities at heart, I urge the Commission, to put measures in place to monitor its contractors closely so as to ensure the smooth performance on their jobs.”
In his remark, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, said that the Commission was hopeful that the ring road project when completed, would ease transportation difficulties currently being faced by the people, improve economic gains and foster harmonious relationship amongst the neighboring communities.
Engr. Adjogbe said that the open forum, provided a platform for Erema community to interact with the NDDC Consultants, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and officials of the Federal ministry of Environment, who were the regulators of the EIA process. He stated that the inputs made by the host community, and other stakeholders, would be put forward either as suggestions or as proposals on how the project would maximally benefit the community, urging that the exercise should be given the seriousness and attention it deserved. He charged them to continue to co-operate with the NDDC, the Rivers State Government, as well as the Federal Government in the execution and delivery of projects in their area.
Presenting the EIA report, the consultant, Dr. Gabriel Akpovwovwo, stated that the ring road, was a 12.50-kilometre single two lane carriage road. He added that the EIA was a tool for ensuring sustainable development. According to him, it would identify, predict, evaluate and quantify the potentials, positive or negative impact and also develop environmental arrangement plan.