PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSSESSMENT (EIA) PROJECTS IN

NIGERIA: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES.

BY

JOHN O. OLOMUKORO PhD

PROFESSOR / CONSULTANT, HYDROBIOLOGIST

Preamble

“A life of privilege requires actions to balance the harm caused, and the greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility. For if one does not leave behind a world better for having lived in it, all that remains are selfish ends, sometimes wrapped in family or nation.”

David Buckel

Environmental Awareness

• Lack of awareness about the state of the

environment by humanity.

• We are all stakeholders in the environment.

• Man is not just a stakeholder in it, but

empowered to care for it ( Psalm 8).

Environmental Awareness

• Lack of community participation is due to

general inadequate enlightenment.

• Environmental issues are about our survival and

the survival of the planet earth. They belong to

all and must be addressed by all.

• Government has promulgated decrees to stem

ecosystems degradation in Nigeria.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

What is EIA? • EIA refers to a systematic study of impacts of

project activities on the natural, social- economic and health environments.

• It is a baseline data gathering exercise.

• Strive to develop effective long term relationships.

• Involves the participation of various stakeholders in order to achieve a sustainable future.

Why EIA?

• An Environmental Management Tool.

• Mandatory for all prospective project owners.

• Enhance positive effects and limit or prevent

intolerable impacts from occurring.

EIA : A Statutory Requirement

Stipulated by FMEnv. for:

• Oil & Gas sector

- Oil exploration activities

- Drilling operations

- Construction of crude oil production,

- Construction of tank-farm & terminal facilities

- Laying of crude oil and gas delivery lines, flow

lines and pipelines

- Hydrocarbon processing gas plant etc.

A Statutory Requirement contd. • Non-Oil Projects - Public or Private projects that

require an EIA implementation, e.g.

- Agricultural projects,

- Industries,

- Mining activities,

- Independent Power Plant.

- Communication Mast

- Road / Rail line / Bridge construction,

- Filling Stations

- Coastal / Gully Erosion

- Dredging of Canals /Lagoons/ Water bodies

- Education Sector etc.

Status of EIA Implementation

• A minimum of 100 EIAs are implemented annually

in Nigeria.

• Not less than 75% of EIAs are in the South.

• Of this number, about 70% are in the Oil and Gas

sector.

Consultation With Stakeholders

• Who Are The Stakeholders?

• Project Coordination Team

• Regulatory Authorities,

• Host Communities,

• Consultants /Professionals

• Non- Governmental

Organisations, and

• Community Based Groups

*Helps to provide a

proper understanding of

the peoples‟ sensitivities

and concern.

*Early Consultation in

EIA is very vital.

Gradual Consultation Begins: Application

for Approval.

HOST COMMUNITIES

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

(FMEnv)

PROJECT OWNER

DIRECTORATE OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES

(DPR)

EIA Execution – A Partnership Process

• EIA study - To bring about 2 types of project permissions:

- the permit from the regulators &

- the social license to operate from the affected communities.

• Workshops are implemented for all stakeholders to improve community involvement.

Genesis of EIA in Nigeria • In 1988, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency

(FEPA) was established by Decree no. 58.

AN ALARM!-----Five ship loads (3,880 tons) of toxic waste discovered at KOKO Port in Delta State.

• In 1992, Decree no. 59 was promulgated –gave powers to FEPA concerning Nigeria.

• EIA Decree no. 86 of 1995 empowered Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv.) to oversee the role of FEPA.

FMEnv. Roles and You

FMEnv. is empowered to:

• Monitor and protect the environment.

• Provide guidelines for environmental assessment of

various categories of projects.

• Prepare environmental action plans for every Local Government Area.

• Monitor environmental audit periodically in all existing industries.

FMEnv. (FEPA) Roles • Monitor the planning and implementation of all new

major projects.

• Monitor all natural phenomena e.g. coastal and gully

erosion, flooding, desertification e.t.c.

• Ensure strict compliance of firms to environmental

laws.

• Receive applications from all operators about proposed

projects before any work begins. Such projects must be

subjected to the EIA PROCESS.

• Review all existing regulations on environmental

Pollution.

Categorisation of EIAs FMEnv. has the sole power to Categorise EIA.

4 categories of EIA projects:

• Category A: EIA Mandatory. 2- season- work.

Technical & Public review required.

• Category B: EIA Mandatory. 2- season- work.

Technical review required.

• Category C: EIA Mandatory. 1- season- work. Technical review required.

• Category D: Natural disasters. Intervention before EIA study.

EIA Studies

TYPES OF IMPACT STUDIES

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) • Post Impact assessment (PIA) • Environmental Evaluation

Review (EER) • Environmental Audit (EA)

POST IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

(PIA)

• An Impacted Site

in Ogoni Land.

• Ogoni – A Drilling

Site (Oil Rig)

POST IMPACT ASSESSMENT (PIA)

• Impact of

existing project.

• OGONI–Polluted

water body near

the Shore.

POST IMPACT ASSESSMENT (PIA)

OGONI – Oil Spill Site.

POST IMPACT ASSESSMENT (PIA)

A Degraded Site in Ogoni Land.

ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION REVIEW (EER)

•Projects are both

offshore /onshore based.

• Impact of projects after

Commissioning and

Decommissioning.

What is EIA PROCESS?

• The EIA process is a step-by-step procedure to

determine the likely effect of a project on the

surrounding environment, health and social well

being of the host communities in the project area.

• EIA is a lengthy process.

• Involves a number of sub-processes.

• Involves painstaking consultation with relevant

stakeholders.

EIA: AREAS OF WORK

EIA process is improved

through partnerships.

Consultants Input:

• Scoping

• Field work

• Mitigation measures.

EIA : Terms of Reference (ToR)

„ToR‟ on which the proposed project is based:

- Establish the existing baseline data.

- Identify, evaluate and predict the project environmental

Impacts.

- Identify the impact of the proposed facility on the

ecosystem.

- Strategies to mitigate and ameliorate significant impacts of

the project on the environment.

-Improve project design to prevent adverse effects.

-Recommend measures during commissioning and other

activities.

ToR • Identify existing and expected environmental

regulations that will affect the development and advise on standards, consents and targets.

• State the design capacity and carrying capacity of the infrastructure.

• Identify any environmental issues and concerns, which may, in the future affect the project.

• Recommend an environmental management plan for the life of the project.

• Provide the basis for support and control documentation and consultation with regulatory authorities and the public.

EIA Studies : Environmental Components

• EXPERTS from the following areas are needed:

• Natural Environment.

- Climate & Air quality

- Topography

- Geology

- Surface Water

- Ground Water

- Soil

- Vegetation

- Terrestrial & Aquatic

- Marine & Estuarine Systems

- Biodiversity

- G.I.S

EIA Studies : Environmental Components

• Social Environment:

- Population Distribution & Communities

- Demographic Composition

- Social characteristics

- Economy

- Land use & Resource Harvesting

- Specially Designated Areas

- Education & Social Services

- Physical infrastructure & Utilities

- Cultural & Historical Resources

- Political & Institutional Arrangement

EIA Studies : Environmental Components

• Health Environment:

- Social – Demographic

- Disease Statistics

- Nutritional Status

- Housing Status

- Other Social Determinants of Health

- Public health Policies& Services

- Occupational Health

- Medical & Health Care Systems

What EIA Must Address Relevant issues and impact of the proposed project any EIA must

address.

Useful Guidelines:

A. What is the issue \ impact (Be specific)?

B. What aspect of the project will cause the impact?

C. What are the vulnerable receptors that could be impacted?

D. Who are these impacts likely to affect?

E. What information do you need to predict the magnitude of the impact?

F. Do you consider the potential impact significant?

G. What measures would you propose eliminate/reduce the impact?

Approved Structural Guideline For EIA

EIA final document must cover:

1. Introduction

2. Justification – for the project and project alternative.

3. Project Description – appropriate design of the project.

4. Description of the existing environment.

5. The socio- economic of the environment.

6. Health Impact Assessment of proposed project.

7. Mitigation measures.

8. Environmental management plan.

9. Conclusion and Recommendation.

Disciplines of EIA Consultants

50

18.75

12.5

18.75

NaturalSciences

PhysicalSciences

Engineering

Others

EIA: Benefits

To Host Communities

• Develop and maintain effective relationships.

• Help to establish development programmes.

• Encourage the full participation of communities in all stages of the project.

• Special attention given to all social segments of host communities.

EIA : Benefits To Consultants

Access to New terrain

• Opportunity to navigate new and complex

environment.

• Opportunity to see new ground for research.

• Store lots of information about locations.

• Chance to see how things happen in other places.

• Use visual and spatial reasoning to unravel

environmental issues.

EIA : Benefits To Consultants

Career Enhancement

• A pathway to enhance professionalism or skill in the field.

• Opportunities for academics to present their expertise.

• Platform for professional, regional and international

networks.

• Forum to start or join groups to share knowledge and ideas.

• Opportunities to have mentees trained in practical research

areas in the field.

EIA : Benefits To Consultants

Materials for Research & Teaching • Collect materials for research, teaching and practical. • Collect organisms for departmental museum/

laboratory. Financial Benefits:

• Enhances institutional or organizational financial base (IGR).

• Reduces financial pressure on the individual.

• Get to know the economic impact of friendships.

Challenges in EIAs

• Shortage of Scientific and Technical expertise on the

part of the EIA practitioners.

• Satisfactory prediction is not achieved in the Nigeria

EIAs because of insufficient and unreliable

environmental baseline data of the project area.

• Non-involvement of relevant stakeholders in the

scooping process at early stage of the project.

• Time Constraints.

• Submission and acceptability.

Challenges in EIAs • Logistics

• Safety/Security challenges

• Systemic corruption

• An EIA fraud aimed at enriching a few people.

• Poor financing of EIA.

• Bureaucratic process associated with EIA process is

worrisome.

• Lack of Sound community relation

• Frustrating the role of Developers by community

youths.

EIA Participation Requirement.

KEY Prerequisite includes:

- Ph.D. in any relevant field.

- Research Fellow in any Research Institute

- Have a well defined area of specialization.

- Professional qualification.

- Relevant experience in environmental issues over

the years.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

• Eligible consultants are invited to indicate their interest in providing the service.

• Indicate they are qualified to perform the services through their curriculum vitae (CV).

• Submit technical and financial proposals as basis for negotiation and formation of contract.

Be a Part of an EIA Team. HOW?

- Register with the University Consultancy Unit.

- Visit Federal / State Ministry of Environment

- Contact any multinational oil company

-Consult with any Environmental Servicing

Company.

- Make contact with any Local Government

Area ( LGA).

- Watch out : call for proposal submission.

What is the Way Forward?

• Constitute :

* University Consultancy Unit – to make more impact in Securing EIA Projects.

OR

* College Based Consultancy Unit.

My Experience

Through EIA Project Implementation:

• Mentored by foremost and experienced

PROFESSORS / EIA Practitioners

• Participated in several EIA studies.

• Visited different geographical locations.

• Visited several water bodies across the country.

• Presented several technical reports

• Participated in several EIA Review Panels.

Personal Challenges in EIA Studies

• Sea Bed Surveys.

• Ajaokuta – Abuja Gas Pipe line Project.

• Regional Master plan Project in Edo State.

• Bonga Main oil Spill Project (PIA).

• Bonga Field NW Extension Project.

• Niger-Delta Environmental Survey.

• National Centre for Energy and Environment

(NCEE).

My Area of Focus in EIA

APPLIED HYDROBIOLOGY

BENTHOLOGY PLANKTON

A World Class EIA

Must focus on the following characteristics:

* Be based on continuous consultation with key stakeholders.

*Focus on 3 aspects: Environment, Social-

Economic and Health Impacts.

* State clearly the strategies for impact

management.

References

• Environmental Resources Managers (1997). Niger Delta Environmental Survey (Final Draft II).

• SPDC (2003). Stakeholders Guide in EIA.

• SPDC (2004). Data collection in EIA.

• SNEPCo (2014).Bonga Main Field EE-Based EIA of Phase 2 and Phase 3 Wells Drilling and Development Project Study

• Umoru P.A (2001). The Nigerian Environment.

Giftprints Associates, Benin City.230pp.

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION!