Efio-Ita Nyok|4 July 2017
NegroidHaven has learnt that the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu, Thursday, 29 June 2017, was handed a conditionally-approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report from Nigeria's Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril contrary to the media stunt the state government must have done with the EIA approval reports last week.
The bulleted-points below captures 16 out of the 23 conditions the government of Cross River was given. Essentially, the Ministry of Environment emphasised that the 275.5km superhighway must not traverse biodiversity rich forests in the Ekuri community as well as the Cross River National Park (CRNP). Also, the Environment Minister of State, Jibril, observed that all conditions must be met before a final approval is given to the EIA report to signal commencement of work informing that there would be a review within the next two or three weeks.
A handful of other conditions were identified to include:
- CRSG shall ensure that the construction of the entire road project and associated infrastructures conform to standard engineering codes and international best practices.
- CRSG shall identify all proximate communities to the road corridor within the established area of influence as well as the project affected persons (PAPS) and ensure that every community/PAP is regularly consulted with throughout the project lifespan.
- The environmental offsetting should be one of the guiding principles for the proposed road construction as the proposed project area of influence is noted for endemic, threatened and endangered flora and fauna. There shall be development and funding of Biodiversity offset by CRSG.
- CRSG shall ensure that all relevant non-governmental organisations both local and international are consulted with regularly during the project lifespan to ensure among others biodiversity protection and project sustainability.
- CSRG shall ensure that the highly technical eco-friendly bridges to be constructed at strategic points/biodiversity hotspots/critical ecosystem on the road corridor are intensively monitored by specialised accredited consultants.
- CSRG shall ensure that the borrow pits proposed for the road project are provided with coordinates for ease of location, site identification number, reclaimed and converted to alternative environmental-friendly uses in line with regulatory standards as well as international best practices.
- CRSG shall ensure that the proposed road setbacks from third party structures, farmlands, critical ecosystem and green areas confirm to engineering code of practice/regulatory standards as well as international best practices.
- CRSG shall ensure that cautionary signs are appropriately placed at strategic points along the road corridor during implementation and throughout the lifecycle especially for wildlife crossing.
- CSRG shall ensure proper drainage termination for the flow route of run-off/storm water to protect the road corridor from erosion, ensure that the road embankment is constructed in a way that allows free-flow of surface water run-off, that any existing access road to neighbouring villages and settlements are not blocked, create appropriate buffer zones to prevent damage to unique ecosystems as well as enhance forest cover.
- CSRG shall put in place appropriate road furniture and safety standards in line with international best practices.
- CRSG shall ensure that the proposed project protects the hydrology of wetlands, streams and channels through restoration of natural drainage pattern and reduce disruption of of ecological processes by providing wildlife corridor.
- CSRG shall provide adequate personal protective equipment for workers, ensure that every worker on the project is adequately trained on Health; Safety and Environment procedures for Highway and provide sanitary facilities and mobile clinic during project construction.
- CSRG shall ensure that the maintenance and management of the road corridor is in line with international best practices.
- There shall be Impact Mitigation Monitoring (IMM), Post Impact Assessment (PIA), Environmental Audits and Compliance Monitoring on the project by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with other relevant regulatory agencies.
- CSRG shall put in place a robust contingency plan for the proposed road project.
- CSRG shall update 4th version of the EIA report to also include the following: (a) To exclude flora and fauna that are non-existent in the proposed project area of influence as per the attached; (b)A comprehensive list of the actual affected communities along the proposed road corridor; (c) List of borrow pits with coordinates and site identity for the proposed road project; (d) Map clearly showing the preferred road corridor with coordinates as well as major crossings along the entire stretch; (e) The EIA report should consider indirect long term impacts of hunting and habitat loss on Cross River National Park proximity to the Superhighway with improved access to the forest; (f) The updated 4th version of the EIA report shall be submitted to the Ministry within two weeks.
Recall that Environment Ministry on Thursday, 29 June, in Abuja handed the conditionally-approved EIA report (along with the conditions) to the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu. Subsequently, on Saturday 1st July Gov Ben Ayade arrived the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar brandishing the 5 page document of the EIA approval amidst fanfare as usual but didn't tell Cross Riverians that it's a conditional approval pending 2 weeks of review of the map and meeting of the 23 conditions set out.
