FMOE Panel Reviews Akute Power EIA Report

The Panel Review Meeting was arranged by the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMOE) and chaired by world renowned Socio-Economist and Environmentalist, Professor J.C. Nwafor. Other notable members of the panel included Dr. N.G. Ekeh, representing the Minister of Environment, Mr. Sojunu Olasukanmi, representing the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Prof. A. Salihi (Mechanical Engineer), Dr. I. Udotong (Waste Mgt. Expert), Prof. R. Kolo (Ecologist), Prof. Onifade Rasheed (Air Quality Expert) and Chairmen of Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ifo Local Governments. The open-to-public event was also well attended by stakeholders and representatives of the host communities.

At the conclusion of the exercise, Professor Nwafor commented that “EIA is a statutory requirement for any project or development that may likely have an impact on the environment. The objective of the EIA is not to punish or delay projects, but to ensure that such projects do not eventually end up harming the people the projects are to benefit and the environment as a whole.”

Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, Managing Director, Oando Gas & Power, commenting on the EIA review said “Oando is an organization committed to the preservation and protection of the environment. The EIA is a welcome exercise that we view as an opportunity for us to ensure that the Akute Power
Plant project has no harmful effects on the environment.”

The Akute Power Project is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) pursuant of the State Government’s commitment of ensuring steady supply of water to its inhabitants. Oando Gas & Power has already procured the power plant equipment capable of generating over 12 megawatts of uninterrupted electricity to power LWC facilities at the Iju, Adiyan and Akute water works.

The power plant equipment is designed to run efficiently on natural gas, which is a clean and environment-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The project is also cost effective as it has been projected that the State Government will save approximately N1.56 billion in the 10-year life-cycle of the agreement.

Environmental Impact Assessment is a written statement drawing conclusions on how a course of action is likely to affect the environment. EIA is statutory requirement backed by Federal Government of Nigeria Decree 86 of 1992 which states that any public authority or private organization must carry out an EIA on any activity that may likely or to a significant extent affect the environment or have environmental effects on those activities.