ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

From time immemorial, lack of sustainable development has been the lot of man and the Nigerian society. The environment is full of evidence of degradation and hazards orchestrated by man's careless actions as engaging in developmental projects such as building of roads, houses, industries, agricultural practice, logging, and deforestation among others without firstly assessing the likely negative impacts of such projects on the environment. There is hardly any consideration as to the implications of these actions on the environment and future generations. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) first emerged on the international scene in the 1972 Stockholm Conference as one of those important international and domestic approaches for integrating environmental considerations into socio-economic development and the decision-making process. This study critically examined the positions of the existing legal frameworks in Nigeria and the roles played by several institutions in carrying out environmental impact assessment for sustainable development in Nigeria. In the course of carrying out this research, doctrinal research methodology was adopted and it was found that there are in existence several laws with beautiful provisions in Nigeria targeted at stamping out those careless activities of man in the environment that pose threat to lives and properties in the country. It was recommended, among others, that there is need for sensitization of both rural and urban dwellers on the need to carry out environmental impact assessment of every proposed project in order to preserve the environment because there cannot be a healthy life where there is no healthy environment. The study concluded that the menace of environmental abuse orchestrated by the misguided actions of humans in the society can be averted by fully observing environmental laws and regulations.