The Niger Delta Development Commission has intensified efforts to conclude pending Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certification processes for 180 development projects across the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during a meeting with EIA consultants at the Commission’s headquarters, the Director of Environmental Protection and Control, Mrs Anthonia Akpan, said the agency had made significant progress in resolving long-standing certification challenges affecting projects awarded in the 2014, 2016 and 2022 fiscal cycles.
Akpan explained that delays in securing environmental approvals and certificates from the Federal Ministry of Environment had slowed project execution and deprived several communities of expected development benefits.
According to her, the Commission formally appealed to the Federal Ministry of Environment for intervention, leading to the approval of waivers and concessions to facilitate the clearance of all pending EIA applications.
She disclosed that the Commission sought approval for in-house review processes, waivers or reductions in statutory charges and fees, as well as the issuance of EIA certificates for the affected projects.
Akpan further revealed that the Managing Director of the Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, had introduced a policy linking payment for EIA consultancy services to the successful procurement of EIA permits from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“Going forward, payment for EIA services shall only be made to consultants upon the successful securing of EIA permits from the Federal Ministry of Environment,” she said.
She explained that the directive was designed to strengthen accountability, ensure value for money and accelerate the completion of environmental assessment processes for the Commission’s projects.
The director also assured consultants that the management of the Commission had resolved to settle all outstanding statutory obligations and fees required by the Federal Ministry of Environment to enable seamless procurement of EIA certificates and permits.
Earlier, the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection and Control in charge of Ecological Monitoring, Mr Oscar Abayisemore, said the meeting was convened to communicate management’s reforms on the EIA process to consultants handling projects for the Commission.
He expressed optimism that the reforms would improve efficiency and ensure smoother EIA processes within the NDDC.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Consultant, Mr Daniel George, described the engagement as an opportunity to clear several backlog EIA projects within the Commission’s portfolio.
According to him, the initiative would ultimately benefit communities across the Niger Delta region by accelerating the delivery of critical development projects.
