Figure 3.1: Diagram of the Divisional structure of Office of Environmental Assessment within FMEnvDepartmentLeadershipOil & GasDivisionEIADivisionEach of FMEnv’s divisions has a clearly definedremit and related functions – see https://ead.gov.ng/about-us/ - generally linked tothe implementation of specific environmentallegislation. As a consequence, providing the rolesneeded to implement a digital enabled approachto EIA (or other departmental) work is not easilysupported by this structure. This approach isdifferent to NOSDRA’s structure (see Figure2.1), as the above provides no clear place in theorganisational structure to recruit and placededicated IT, GIS and other digital support staff.- Co-ordination across Government bodiesand systems. Linked to the barrier of digitaldata, discussed above, is the challenge ofdata – digital or otherwise – existing in multipledifferent organisations and at different levelsof governance – Federal, State, Local. Whilenot an issue that the EIA system can seekto resolve, as it currently lacks any oversightduty / responsibility, the need to identify whatinformation is gathered and held by whichStandards &MonitoringMiningEnvironmentalAssessmentorganisations and how this could be sharedwill need considerable coordination and taketime to build trust to enable sharing and activeinvestment to maintain once coordination andactive exchange / external access is enabled.- Learning from previous investments. The EADepartment has secured previous digitisationsupport from World Bank funds and morerecently, at a smaller scale, from the FMEnvbudget. Whilst this funding has led to significantadvancements in the availability of technologyand the contracting of external suppliers todeliver systems there are lessons to be learnt.Firstly investments in technology – scanners,computers, etc – has a limited life unless ongoing funds are secured to maintain suchsystems. Secondly, when it comes to thecontracting of 3rd party suppliers to createdigital systems there is greater need for earlyagreement on scope and needs from the EAofficers to ensure systems that are developedare effective in their application.Willend Associates and FothergillTC Ltd – Ambitions, Challenges & Opportunities - Progressing Digital EIA in Nigeria21
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