70 percent of companies in Cross River operate without EIA, experts say

Environmental experts have disclosed that over 70 percent of companies in Cross River State do not have Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) plan.

This was disclosed recently in Calabar at a two-day workshop on Capacity Building (EIA Training) and Advocacy Against Land grabbing in Cross River by Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA), in partnership with Community Forest Watch Nigeria.

Presenting a paper on “Appraisal of EIA Forest Land Grabbing in Nigeria,” a senior lecturer in the University of Calabar, Dr. Raphael Offiong, said some mining companies have abandoned lots of mining pits that would be of great danger to host communities in the nearest future due to lack of EIA plan.

He explained that while companies are looking for ways to cut corners, communities should demand to be involved in all EIA process plan.

Executive Director Gender Friendly Initiative, Mrs. Glory Effiong, said: “Some EIAs would not be approved, if women are not carried along. There should be gender sensitivity in the processing of an EIA.”