Abstract
This Thesis has evaluated current EIA practices in the Nigerian Plateau State from several perspectives. This entailed (1) reviewing the quality of selected environmental impact assessment reports (EIARs) in Nigeria’s Plateau State, (2) assessing the utilisation and appropriateness of spatial information in such reports, and (3) reviewing the Nigerian EIA system by means of a SWOT analysis. The first research objective was addressed by adapting the Lee and Colley Review Package meanwhile the second one employed a framework developed for the first time by Mwenda et al. (2015). The third objective used a SWOT analysis. The EIA quality evaluation paid special attention to the establishment and maintenance of mobile telecommunications projects in the Plateau State of Nigeria. Results from the modified Lee and Colley Review Package revealed the following points. In two main Review Areas, namely, RA 1.0 (Description of the proposed telecommunications facilities) and RA 5.0 (Communication of results), the quality of EIARs was found to be generally satisfactory. However, the quality of all EIARs was considered relatively ‘very unsatisfactory’ (‘F’) regarding their overall legal compliance with the requirements stipulated in the remaining three Review Areas, namely, RA 2.0 (Terrain susceptibility in the proposed project area), RA 3.0 (Associated and potential environmental impacts), and RA 5.0 (Mitigation measures/alternatives).This ‘F' rating was assigned to 65% (52/80) of EIARs for Review Area RA 3.0 because information provided was ‘very unsatisfactory' as important tasks were poorly done or not attempted at all. Moreover, in review areas such as RA 2.0 and RA 4.0, all reports in the entire evaluation were assigned an ‘F' quality. Such an unsatisfactory quality rating is ascribable to the very unacceptable manner in which the reports were populated, especially as important task(s) were poorly done or not attempted at all. Furthermore, the study established that there were only few improvements in EIAR quality from one year to another. Different types of spatial information were used in the EIARs although some of them were poorly designed, thus undermining the communication of critical environmental information relevant for the specific environmental assessments. In terms of the appropriateness of the spatial information that was presented in the reports, the study found spatial information with mixed visual realism as the most preferred. Lastly, the SWOT analyses uncovered many weaknesses and threats and very limited advantages in the form of opportunities and strengths. To overcome some of the shortfalls identified, a few recommendations have been suggested.
KEYWORDS: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Effectiveness, EIA practice, Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIARs), Quality, Lee and Colley Review Package, SWOT Analysis, Spatial Information, Statistical Tests.