The Role Of Environmental Impact Assessment In Promoting Sustainable Industrial Development (A Case Study Of The Plastics Industry In Kamp Ala)

ABSTRACT

EIA is a critical examination of the potential effects of any proposed project on the environment

with the aim of mitigating them. It has been noted that the role of EIA which ultimately is to

achieve sustainable development, has not been played as expected.

This research aims at finding out the extent to which developers in the plastics industry are

familiar with EIA and its role in promoting sustainable development, the problems encountered

as the process is carried out and implemented and the benefits EIA has as regards sustainable

development are also looked at. It also attempts to verify the contribution of EIA to sustainable

development by comparing an industry that has canied out EIA and one which has not done so.

Benefits of EIA in promoting sustainable development are covered in the repo1t and include the

fact that it has become an international requirement for assessing and managing impacts on the

environment, the specific focus EIA gives to projects has enabled efficiency in managing the

environment, it has influenced development decisions to favor environmental management. EIA

has also led to the avoidance of costly impacts to the environment, creation of environmental

awareness and generally environmentally sound planning, all of which are important in

promoting sustainable development

Some of the problems encountered in canying out and implementing EIA covered in the repo1t

include; inadequate public paiticipation which means some views ai·e not represented, coordination

problems between the lead agencies, practitioners and industries .There are also

challenges in post EIA monitoring, the quality of E!As produced is questionable and the value of

EIA after project commencement has also created a problem of mistakes being made earlier

hence EIA has no opportunity to address them.

In the industry that has caiTied out EIA, there are generally better environmental management

practices than where the EIA was not done. Employees are environmentally conscious and their

health and safety considerations ai·e followed. The industry that has carried out EIA also has

better public image and transparency than the one which did not do so.