J48716 Willend EIA ResearchReport V4 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 12
Inevitably with the development and deployment
of new systems there are limitations on funding
available and key steps in both the Portal’s
development and deployment will need Ministerial
approval to progress. This approach is prudent to
ensure systems are trusted; however, it must also
be recognised it acts to constrain the potential
pace the FMEnv can deploy digital EIA in support
of sustainable development and environmental
protection. This issue alongside other potential
barriers is discussed in Section 3.2.
2.3 | Wider application of digital systems for EIA
and Environmental Protection
The nature of this snapshot study has required
the research to prioritise and focus on particular
areas of Nigerian EIA, specifically FMEnv’s action
and ambitions in relation to digital ESIA. It must
be recognised that there are many other parties
that are directly involved in the delivery of the EIA
system within Nigeria, plus other parties that have
interest (and link) in the status and protection
of both the environment and communities
across the country. In any future more detailed
study – e.g. to develop a National Digital EIA
Strategy for Nigeria– it would be advisable to
place greater focus on this area to better define
different stakeholders relevant to digitising EIA. In
particular, this would include considering:
- How digital approaches to EIA could enhance
the needs and experiences of communities that
engage with the process and whether there are
risks associated with such technologies; and
- The far broader community of public sector
(and potentially private) organisations that hold
environmental and social data that could be
useful to integrate into the EIA process – see EIA
related Data Review opportunities in Chapter 3.
Photo: Wiki Warm Spring, Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Sourced from https://yankarigamereserve.com.ng/attractions/
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Willend Associates and FothergillTC Ltd – Digitization in and around Nigerian EIA
