A comparative review of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice regimes in Nigeria, India, Canada and South Africa

Abstract

Development projects (DPs) have contributed to industrialization and economic growth which provided man with material comforts and luxuries of life. However, DPs directed at improving levels of material comfort have had unintended detrimental effects on people and the environment. In the past, DPs were undertaken without any consideration to their environmental consequences, thus, resulting to environmental pollution and degradation which has reached a threatening level. Water, land, and air have been degraded to the point where they can no longer sustain existing levels of development and quality of life. In view of the colossal damage to the environment caused by DPs, people are now concerned about the environmental impacts of these projects. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) enables the decision makers to examine the effect of developmental activities or projects on the environment prior to their execution. This paper, which adopted the doctrinal research methodology, provides a comparative overview of the EIA regimes in Nigeria, South Africa, India, and Canada. The paper reviews the legal, regulatory and procedural frameworks of each EIA regimes and proceeds to a detailed comparison of same. This paper finds that the Canadian, South African and Indian EIA regimes allow for robust public consultation and participation in the EIA process as against the Nigerian EIA regime which only allows opportunity for public comment on the environmental impacts of proposed projects. The paper recommends that the Nigerian EIA regime should allow for more robust public consultation and participation in its EIA process in line with the practice of the Canadian, Indian and South African EIA regimes.