Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu has said that effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) remains fundamental to sustainable development, environmental protection and good governance in Nigeria.
Vincent-Akpu, the immediate past President of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN), stated this in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.
She spoke after receiving AEIAN’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her contributions to the association’s growth and institutional strengthening.
Expressing gratitude, Vincent-Akpu described the award as humbling and encouraging.
“I am grateful and deeply humbled by this recognition. I thank God that the association remembered our work and deemed it fit to honor me,” she said.
She expressed confidence in the current leadership of the association, noting that AEIAN was in capable hands and would continue to grow stronger.
“I believe AEIAN is in a better place and will continue to go from strength to strength,” she added.
Speaking on EIA practice in Nigeria, Vincent-Akpu stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and professional bodies.
She said sustainability and environmental protection depended largely on proper and effective impact assessments.
“Governments must collaborate with professionals because sustainability, good governance and environmental protection are anchored on proper EIA,” she said.
Vincent-Akpu acknowledged government efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks, including collaboration with the World Bank on procurement and EIA training programmes, expressing optimism that such initiatives would improve standards in the long run.
However, she raised concerns over recurring controversies surrounding major infrastructure projects, noting that citizens often questioned whether proper needs assessments and EIAs preceded project approvals.
She lamented that EIA was sometimes treated merely as a bureaucratic requirement.
“Many people see EIA only as a means to obtain permits or funding. In reality, EIA guides proper project design, benefiting project proponents, government and the environment,” she said.
Vincent-Akpu attributed poor EIA implementation to the reluctance of some public and private project proponents to commit adequate resources.
“Unfortunately, even governments sometimes find it difficult to invest in proper EIAs. This impunity is obvious in our environment,” she said.
She noted that while public advocacy could compel adjustments, EIAs were often conducted late or inadequately.
Advising engineers and contractors, Vincent-Akpu urged them to prioritize environmental protection and sustainability.
“EIA does not stop development; it ensures development benefits the people, protects the environment and safeguards the future,” she said.
She added that proper EIAs help developers reduce costs, avoid penalties and improve project design.
“EIA protects the environment, the developer and the government. Everyone benefits,” she said.
Vincent-Akpu emphasized that sustainability required the simultaneous pursuit of environmental, social and economic goals.
“If one is pursued at the expense of the others, everyone loses. When all three work together, society benefits,” she said.
