LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
BLOCK 16
The Secretariat, Ikeja
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
LASG CHARGES MDAs ON INCORPORATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Lagos State Government on Wednesday called on all it’s 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 sensitization for MDAs on streaming ESIA into projects planning and implementation at Alausa Ikeja, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello stated that the objective of meeting was 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 of project on the environment, human health and social economic activities.
Tunji Bello represented by the Director of Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth said that ESIA helps in identifying the likely adverse and beneficial
impacts of a project with the aim of putting in place measures to mitigate the adverse ones.
He added that it is a critical environmental management tool that must be embraced by both private and public sector in order to achieve sustainable development.
He explained that the establishment of industrial facilities, creation of new settlements, and construction of infrastructures come with huge adverse environmental impacts ranging from pollution of various environmental platforms such as Air, Land and Water to sometimes irreversible environmental degradation if not properly managed.
He stated further that the Government cannot afford the huge cost of addressing environmental degradation and ecological challenges resulting from unwholesome project development activities stressing that the cost of doing the right thing is cheaper than the cost of correcting the consequences of refusal to do them.
He said ESIA has become a global decision-making tool by policy makers in protecting the Environment with nations across the globe enacting laws and setting stricter standards to ensure compliance and Lagos State cannot be an exception.
He said it is impressive that Government has continued to see improvements in the level of compliance of the Private Sector players to the process, and same must be adhered to by the Public Sector.
“This workshop is aimed at reversing the trend by encouraging MDAs to mainstream ESIA into their developmental initiatives always.
“ESIA has become a global decision-making tool by policy makers in protecting the Environment with nations across the globe enacting laws and setting stricter standards to ensure compliance and Lagos State cannot be an exception” he emphasized.
He said Government therefore has adopted the application of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process in ensuring sustainable implementation of development projects in the State in line with global best practices.
He said that the government developed the Citizens Guide on ESIA to educate members of the public and provide them with required information on 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” was not only apt but also timely because it’s coming at a time when all hands were on deck to ensure sustainable development in the State.
She added that MDAs including the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are the corner stones for the realization of the objective of ESIA 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 it.
greening, water project and proper drainage system in every projects being embarked upon.
Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director (Public Affairs)
MOE &WR
November 18, 2021