Perception of Environmental Impact Assessment System and Social Impacts of Developmental Activities: A Case Study of Geregu Power Plant Phase II, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria

The study appraised environmental impact assessment (EIA) system perception and social impacts of developmental activities, using Geregu Power Plant Phase II, Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria as a case study. The objectives were to appraise the perception of Environmental Impact Assessment and the socio-economic impacts of the gas power plant operation on the project`s host communities. Sample population for interview was purposively selected (4 settlements) within the project area of influence and primary data was collected using questionnaire field survey. Simple random sampling was adopted for the administration of 373 questionnaires to elicit information on socio-economic implications and perception of project`s host communities on the EIA system. The result showed that on the years of experience of involvement in EIA system 17.33% of the respondent had 1-5 years, 16% had 5-10 years, 0.67% had between 11-20 years and 0.33% had greater than 20 years. On the number of EIA project’s executed 19% have no experience of executed projects, 20.7% reported less than 5 projects executed, and 1% experienced 16-30 number of EIA projects. Also, on the kind of EIA activity involvement 69.66% have not been involved in any key EIA activities, 27% have been involved as consultants, 1% has been involved at the institutional level and 0.67% at the various intermediaries’ level. Concerning the activities of EIA participation in the last three years, 16.67% have participated in EIA review meetings, 9.66% in the reviewing terms of reference and scoping, 1.33% participated in grievance redress, while 65.01% did not respond. Likewise on the key participants in EIA process, 6.67% have knowledge of project proponent, 30.33% have knowledge of project’s host community 10.33% responded on stake holder, and 3.67% responded on regulations. On the purpose and objective of the EIA system, 5.3% to 20.3% of the respondents have knowledge of purpose and objective of EIA. On the socio-economic impact on project`s host communities, the likert scale mean value of 1.93 was less than 2.05 meaning that the socio economic issues are on the high side. The socio-economic issues noticeable includes provision of resettlement for displaced persons, increase in volume and type of wastes generation, increase in community unrest and increasing pressure on existing infrastructures. It is therefore recommended that there should be EIA sensitization/awareness programme and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be faithfully implemented. Conclusively, there is a need for proposed developmental activities to be conducted in an integrated manner to ensure that they are environmentally, socially sound and sustainable.