Engr Yusuf Majolagbe, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE), Lagos Chapter, says as the state continues to multiply in population and economic activities, the role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) “has become even more critical”.
According to Majolagbe, this is essential in guiding sustainable development and mitigating negative environmental impacts.
During the August Technical Session /General meeting of the NIEE, Lagos State chapter, attended by TOP MEDIA, Majolagbe stressed that EIA is an essential tool for ensuring that development projects are planned and executed with the least possible harm to our environment.
Majolagbe said:
“Today, we focus on the approach of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to the EIA process and methodology. The IFC, as a global standard-setter, has developed rigorous guidelines and frameworks for EIA that are designed to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Understanding how these guidelines align with our local EIA practices is vital for several reasons. It helps us identify areas where our processes are strong and effective, as well as those where there are gaps or misalignments.”
By examining the IFC’s approach, Engr Majolagbe said environmental engineers “can identify potential improvements that will enable us to refine our local methodologies, ensuring that they are robust, transparent, and capable of addressing the unique environmental challenges we face in Lagos State”.
He concluded that this analysis will help experts to understand not just the technical aspects, but also the institutional and procedural elements that might need enhancement.
The facilitator, Dr Isa Elegbede, spoke on the topic: “IFC’s EIA process and methodology: Analysing the alignment gaps, and potential improvements of the EIA practices in Lagos state’.
In his speech, Elegbede encouraged “continuous transparent reporting”, which according to him, “is very key to what we do”.
He explained:
“For EIA standard to be upheld, we need to have transparency. Don’t hide what you have found. Make sure you report everything. Because you are not just doing this, you are also protecting your own generation. Try as much as possible to be transparent so that you can have a plausible report.”
Highlighting the relevance of the IFC’s EIA to Lagos and Nigeria, Dr Elegbede listed them as follows:
- Global standard for sustainable development
- Attracting international investment
- Addressing local and environmental social challenges
- Enhancing public participation and social inclusion
- Strengthening regulatory frameworks
- Aligning with international development goals
In his presentation, Engr Anise Niyi stated that risk assessments are important as they identify health and safety issues in the workplace.
He, therefore, advised people to always be cautious and to avoid slips, trips, and falls.
