Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant Environmental Impact ... - IFC

The proposed Project requires an EIA under the terms of the Nigerian EIA Act
(1992). An EIA is required for projects listed in the Schedule to the Act.
Paragraph 13 (a) of the Schedule lists the following:
(a) ‘Construction of steam generated power stations burning fossil fuels and having
a capacity of more than 10 megawatts.’
The Act allows a list to be drawn up of projects that are likely to have minimal
environmental effects and which do not need EIA. Where a project is not
listed in the Schedule to the Act and is not listed as being excluded, a
screening report must be produced.
Nigeria’s Cultural Policy (1996)
The national cultural policy is generally regarded as an instrument of
promotion of national identity and Nigerian unity, as well as of
communication and cooperation among different Nigerian and/or African
cultures.
Edo State has no listed United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
World Heritage sites. In addition, there are no known nationally protected
cultural resources in the area of the Project.
The Forestry Act (1958)
The principal legislation in force for the regulation of the forest sector is the
Forestry Act 1958. The Forestry Law CAP 51 of 1994 prohibits any activity
that may lead to the destruction of or cause injury to any forest produces,
forest growth or forest property.
The Edo State Forestry Law CAP 59 (1976) (EDSFL CAP 59) (previously
known as Bendel State Forestry Law CAP 59 (1976)), provides classification
for forest types. Since its enactment, the EDSFL CAP 59 has undergone
legislative amendment, including the Forestry (Amendment) Edict No 13 of
1984 and the Forestry (Amendment) Law, 2002. The former contains
provisions to control logging and other forestry activities in the federal state
while latter prohibits any act that may lead to destruction of forest reserve
and/or protected forest areas in the State.
The EDSFL CAP 59 defines two types of forest close to the Project site, namely
anthropogenic forest and natural forest. The anthropogenic forest is not
closed, is young and not well maintained. The Natural forest close to the
study area is the SAKPOBA Forest Reserve, situated over 20km from the
proposed project site. No natural forest reserves or protected areas will be
disturbed by the implementation of the Project.
AZURA EDO IPP
1-15
DRAFT EIA REPORT