J48716 Willend EIA ResearchReport V4 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 19
3. Ambitions, Challenges & Opportunities Progressing Digital EIA in Nigeria
The previous chapter has set out a snapshot
of digital EIA progress in Nigeria. This chapter
draws across the research findings to provide
the researchers perspective on Nigeria’s digital
IA ambitions. The chapter moves on to discuss
barriers that currently act to restrict this ambition.
The final sections review potential opportunities
for progressing the uptake of digital EIA across two
key areas of Nigerian EIA:
- Federal Ministry of Environment –
Environmental Assessment Department
- Deploying and Supporting the Growth of Digital
EIA in Wider EIA Practice.
3.1 | Characterizing Nigeria’s Digital EIA
Ambitions
Based on the engagement undertaken across
the research it has been possible to outline
elements of ambition related to Digital EIA that
appears to exist across key parties in Nigeria’s
EIA system. The draft ambitions set out below
are intended to provide a potential basis for
future discussion – rather than representing
any agreed view of any of the parties involved
in the delivery of Nigerian EIA. They can be
used as a starter for broader engagement on
defining a coordinated approach to advancing
Digital EIA both in Government and in practice.
The researchers view on ambitions for Digital EIA
in Nigeria drawing across our engagement with
FMEnv and wider Nigerian EIA professionals:
• Nigerian EIA practice is recognised as a leader
in the adoption and deployment of digital EIA
approaches, both locally and internationally.
• Advancing digital EIA approaches is achieved
through collaborative partnerships with the joint
aim of enhancing environmental performance
and the delivery of sustainable development.
• Government understanding of digital
approaches and the use of technology in EIA
is ahead of that commonly held by proponents
and their consultants.
• FMEnv has a strategy to further upgrade its
approach, legislation, officers and equipment
/ technology to enable it to effectively adopt
and deploy digital approaches across the EIA
process.
• Future EIA related capacity building activities
take account of how digital systems can play a
role in supporting the delivery of more effective
and efficient EIA.
While the above reflects and refines ideas raised
across the research interviews there is a need
to focus this into more tangible actions areas.
Chapter 3 goes on to set out potential digital EIA
related opportunities in relation to FMEnv, other
Government bodies and wider practice including
developers and the EIA experts / consultants.
Willend Associates and FothergillTC Ltd – Ambitions, Challenges & Opportunities - Progressing Digital EIA in Nigeria
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