3rd June, 2015
The Federal Ministry of Environment on Tuesday in Abuja presented the revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act No. 86 of 1992 to stakeholders in the sector for assessment.
NAN reports that EIA are laws meant to prevent, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of projects or activities on the environment before such projects/activities commence.
Mrs Fatima Mede, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said this at a “National Stakeholders’ Workshop” on the Validation of the Draft Revised EIA.
Mede said that the ministry had earlier inaugurated a committee to review the EIA Act.
According to her, the mandate of the committee is to look at the key areas that needed improvement in the EIA laws.
“The committee expunged, added and reframed some sections of the existing Act in line with current practices and practical realities in order to make the Act more user-friendly.
“Also reviewed were all relevant definitions in the Act, while violation charges were reviewed in line with current realities in order to ensure compliance and deterrence.
“The committee also addressed areas of the Act which are in conflict with other laws of the Federation and made recommendations on how best to resolve such conflicts.
“In line with the current international best practices, the committee introduced a section on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to cover areas such as policies, plans and programmes which have long-term effects on the environment.”
According to her, the committee also addressed issues of public participation, funding, telecommunication and emerging issues in the sector.
“Other areas addressed by the committee include the issue of broader public participation, funding of EIA process and the need to put in place more efficient machinery for the implementation of the EIA Act.
“In addition, Schedule One of the current EIA Act has been extensively reviewed and expanded to take care of emerging issues, including the telecommunication industry.
“While a new Schedule Two has been introduced to avoid any ambiguity in the new EIA Act.
“The job of the committee is only foundation in a process for emergence of EIA Act that will meet current emerging challenges and best International practices.”
Mede, however, said that the environmental protection and management could only be achieved through collaboration and cooperation efforts.
She said that the ministry had been working closely with relevant Federal and state ministries of environment, parastatals, local government authorities and NGOs for the implementation of the EIA Act.
NAN reports that the two-day workshop is expected to explore long term benefits that the revised EIA Act will accrue to the nation’s sustainable development.