EIA Approval Now Compulsory in Lagos Developments

Lagos State Government has declared that all project developers must get an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval before starting work. This rule applies to everyone and cannot be ignored.

Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Adviser on Environment, shared this message at a workshop for real estate experts and developers. The event took place at the Watercress Hotel in Ikeja on Wednesday.

Rotimi-Akodu explained that developers need to go through the EIA process for projects like housing estates, buildings with five or more floors, complexes with eight or more apartments, shopping centers, gas stations, factories, sand mining, dredging, and land filling.

The government will step in to ensure everyone follows these rules. This protects public safety and supports long-term growth. Rotimi-Akodu called EIA a key tool for managing the environment that both private and public groups should use to build sustainably.

He pointed out that Lagos attracts the most investors in Nigeria thanks to its large population, good roads and services, and helpful rules that make business easy.

However, new factories, neighborhoods, coastal land projects, and estates can harm the environment. They may pollute air, land, and water or cause lasting damage if not handled well.

The workshop aimed to teach more about EIA and gather professionals to talk about its role in sustainable growth. It encouraged including EIA in all projects.

The government uses EIA to guard the environment and people’s health, following worldwide standards. EIA checks how a project might affect nature, health, and daily life. It spots problems and good effects, then suggests ways to fix or reduce harms.

Rotimi-Akodu warned that doing nothing while projects damage the environment costs too much, especially with other urgent needs in the state.

He added that real estate and building work boost the state’s economy and create jobs for architects, engineers, workers, suppliers, and managers.

In his opening speech, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji, Permanent Secretary for Environmental Services, said the workshop came at the right time. Everyone must work together for sustainable progress.

Gaji described EIA as a global safeguard that spots project impacts early and offers ways to handle negatives.

He stressed that while developments bring benefits, they also create environmental and social issues that need management. Ignoring them could worsen the state’s delicate natural balance and risk health and safety.

Dr. Olasunkanmi Sojinu, Director of Environmental Assessment, taught about the laws behind EIA. These include the national EIA Act from 2004 and Lagos State’s 2017 environmental law. They require major projects to get EIA approval first.

Sojinu listed EIA principles like involving stakeholders such as the public and local communities, and matching the review depth to the project’s size and risks.