The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, called on all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to incorporate Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in every project and policy before implementation.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation programme for MDAs on streaming ESIA into projects planning and implementation at Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello stated that the meeting was convened to discuss the critical role of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in various collective strides towards sustainable development in the State.
He said ESIA is a formal process for identifying the likely impacts that may arise from a proposed activity or project on the environment, human health and socio-economic activities.
Bello, represented by the Director of Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth, said that an ESIA helps in identifying the likely adverse and beneficial impacts of a project with the aim of putting measures in place to mitigate unforeseen occurrence, adding that it is a critical environmental management tool that must be embraced by both private and public sector for sustainable development.
He explained that the establishment of industrial facilities, creation of new settlements and construction of infrastructure come with huge adverse environmental impacts ranging from the pollution of various environmental platforms such as Air, Land and Water to sometimes irreversible environmental degradation if not properly managed.
The Commissioner explained that the government cannot afford the huge cost of addressing environmental degradation and ecological challenges resulting from unwholesome project development activities, stressing that doing the right thing is cheaper than the cost of correcting the consequences of defiance.
He said ESIA has become a global decision-making tool adopted by policymakers in protecting the environment, just as nations across the globe enact laws and set stricter standards to ensure compliance, and Lagos State cannot be an exception.
Disclosing that Lagos has adopted the application of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process in ensuring sustainable implementation of development projects, Bello said the move was to ensure compliance with global best practices.
He pointed out that the Citizens Guide on ESIA was designed to educate members of the public and provide required information on the ESIA process in the State.
Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mrs. Ronke Odeneye, noted that the workshop themed: “Mainstreaming Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) into Developmental Initiatives in Lagos State”, came at a time when all hands are on deck to ensure sustainable development in the State.
Odeneye, represented by the Director, Environmental Assessment Department, Dr. Olasukanmi Sojinu, added that MDAs, as well as Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), are essential parties for success of the ESIA initiative as they implement various projects that are expected to impact on the lives of the people.
The facilitator, Assistant Director, Environmental Assessment, Mr. Lasisi Adedoyin, in his lecture titled: “Mainstreaming Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) into Developmental Initiatives in Lagos State”, advised that it has become important to incorporate its greening, water project and proper drainage system in every project embarked upon.
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