A Critical Review of Sustainable Environmental Impact Assessment Processes in Energy Projects in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper critically reviews the practice of sustainable environmental impact assessment (EIA) in energy projects in Nigeria. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that evaluates the potential environmental consequences of a proposed project or policy before decisionsare made, aiming to identify and mitigate potential negative impacts. The energy sector in Nigeria is vital for economic growth, but it also poses significant environmental challenges. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is crucial for ensuring energy project are developed in a way to minimize their negative impact on the environment and promotes sustainable development. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, 1992 in Nigeria, is a cornerstone of environmental protection, requiring prior consideration of environmental effects for public and private projects, and allowing the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) to facilitate environmental assessments. Environmental impact assessment is part of a major requirement for decision making in a developmental projects and a systematic process to identify, evaluate, and predict environmental effects of proposed action and projects. The process is applied prior to major decisions and commitments being made. EIA serves as a foundational tool for assessing potential environmental consequences for oil and gas projects, aiming to mitigate the adverse effect on ecosystem and human health.