Committee to review the Environmental Impact Assessment act inaugurated

Ishaku said while inaugurating the committee that the Act was no longer in tune with current realities. “It is right to assume and rightly so that after 20 years of implementation, the time is ripe for a thorough and critical review of the EIA act, in view of some lacunae observed in the act and […]

Ishaku said while inaugurating the committee that the Act was no longer in tune with current realities. “It is right to assume and rightly so that after 20 years of implementation, the time is ripe for a thorough and critical review of the EIA act, in view of some lacunae observed in the act and the dynamic nature of EIA implementation.”
He noted that the act was unique as it was the first of its kind in Nigeria and made EIA mandatory where proposed projects or activities were likely to cause significant environmental effects.
He said that EIA, unlike other environmental laws, are proactive in nature. “It is meant to prevent, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of projects or activities on the environment before such projects are commenced,” he added.
He urged the committee to review the powers of states and local governments as contained in section seven of the act in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.