ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND ASSESSMENT: A DISCOURSE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN NIGERIA

Bala M. B¹, Ibrahim Bello², Yahaya Umar Faruk³ & Muhammad Hamza Maishanu⁴

^1,3&4Department of chemistry, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto

²Department of Educational Foundation, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto

Corresponding author email:  Balambkasarawa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Manmade or induced pollution is direct consequence of man’s activities in attempt to make the environment worth living. It includes indiscriminate disposal of waste materials and industrial projects that discharges as their by-products or waste such dangerous materials like poisonous gases, toxic chemical elements and compounds. Added to this is the drive for urbanization, road and rail construction, water projects and other projects for human comfort. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) seeks to aid decision making before embarking on projects as to the likely effects of the projects on the environment. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the other hand involves accumulation and interpretation of all collected data describing the existing quality of the environment in the vicinity of the project site. This paper discusses the policies and legislation made by the Federal Government to guide agencies embarking on projects. In order to create minimal negative impact on the environment as required in the National Policy on the Environment.

Keyword: Environment, Pollution, Waste Materials, Projects, Impact, Statements, Assessment, National Policy.