HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF EIA

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
EIA has evolved significantly over the past 30 years, driven by improvements in law, procedure and methodology. Today EIA is applied in more than 100 countries including Nigeria, by all development banks and most international Aid agencies.

The evolution of EIA can be divided into 4 overlapping phases which include:
• Introduction and Early Development – (1970-1975) – During this period the mandate and foundations of EIA was established in the USA and was then adopted by a few other countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand). The basic concept, procedure and methodology still apply.

• Increasing Scope and Sophistication – (Mid 70’s to early 80’s) – This period was characterized by more advanced techniques, issuance of guidance on process implementation, consideration of social impacts and adoption by more countries including the developing nations of China, Thailand and the Philippines.

• Process Strengthening and Integration – (Early 80’s to early 90’s) – This era witnessed the review of EIA practice and experience; updates of scientific and institutional frameworks of EIA; coordination of EIA with other processes; consideration of cumulative effects, ecosystem-level changes, monitoring and other follow-up mechanisms. Many more countries adopted EIA during this period and the European Community and the World Bank respectively established supra-national and international lending requirements.

• Strategic and Sustainability Orientation – (Early 90’s to date) – The current phase of EIA evolution has entailed the incorporation of EIA aspects in international agreements; increase in international training; capacity building and networking activities; development of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) of policies and plans as well as the inclusion of sustainability concepts and criteria in EIA and SEA practice. EIA is currently applied in all OECD countries and large numbers of developing and transitional countries including NIGERA.

4.2 NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

EIA is now institutionalized in Nigeria as a statutory requirement for major development projects. EIA started in Nigeria in 1992 by the promulgation of the EIA Decree No. 86 which calls for the prior consideration of the environmental effects of all proposed projects before their approval or authorization.

A number of factors led to the introduction of EIA in Nigeria. Prior to the enactment of the Decree, EIA had been identified as one of the implementation strategies for achieving the set goals and objectives enunciated in the National policy on Environment launched in 1989. In, addition the enactment of the EIA was largely stimulated by growing public concern about the impact of development projects on environment and public health, and the need to ensure sustainable development as stated in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

Since its introduction, EIA has served as an effective programme for protecting the environment while ensuring the adoption of environment friendly measures by development executors as well as promoting the importance of environmental conservation to the public.