Effective EIA Framework in Environmental Management of the Niger Delta

A review of the current EIA system in Nigeria with respect to its effectiveness in the environmental management of the Niger Delta is presented in this book. Alternative pathways to strengthen the current EIA system by adopting a regional environmental management approach for the Niger Delta was investigated. Consequently, overlapping authorities and responsibilities between ministries and lack of resources within key agencies was discovered to have serious implications for environmental management and enforcement. Several measures have been proposed to strengthen the current environmental management framework in Nigeria. The use of Strategic Environmental Assessment and compliance with Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) standards were proposed as well as inclusion of relevant regional, state and local government agencies in environmental management of the Niger Delta. The role of government on effective environmental management in Nigeria and with special reference to the Niger Delta has also been discussed in this book. Factors undermining the effectiveness of the EIA system in protecting the impacts of oil and gas activities on Niger Delta environment are discussed.