The Lagos State Government has held a
stakeholders’ sensitization on a draft Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, on a proposed Natural gas distribution pipeline project across 4 Local Governments in the state.
The 72.3 kilometres gas pipeline will run from outer Marina to Epe, cutting across Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Ibeju Lekki and Epe Local Government Areas
Organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with the gas company, the stakeholders’ meeting which was held at the Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, was attended by representatives of residents and corporate organisations from each of the affected Local Government areas.
In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji who was represented by the Director, EIA, Dr Olasunkami Sojinu explained that the proposed project
will make gas readily available for industrial and domestic use in Lagos in tandem with government’s policy to encourage local consumption of indigenous gas and urged residents to participate robustly in the EIA awareness sensitization.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the draft of the Environmental Impact Assessment report is available in each of the affected Local Government Areas, the State Ministry of Environment, and at its Federal counterpart annexe at the Games Village in Surulere for inputs from affected residents.
“it is important that affected residents get to look at what the report is saying, to vent their views and concerns so that they can be addressed. It is also important for them to also give the necessary support, because this project is going to enhance economic activities in Lagos State, it is going to create jobs” he said
Giving an overview of the proposed gas infrastructure, an engineer with the gas company, Mrs Yetunde Tella announced that the gas that would be supplied is methane, which is odourless and lighter than LPG and that adequate measure have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives and properties along the gas reticulation and pipeline corridor.
Various concerns bothering on safety, compensation and usage raised by participants at the stakeholders’ engagement were duly attended to, while the Executive Secretary of the Victoria Island-Ikoyi Residents Association, Alhaji Abdulateef Muse urged the relevant authorities to educate people more on the project.
“We all know that when we hear gas, our mind first go to inflammation, fire, and all of that, that is the typical mind set when we are talking about a project that distribute gas, people need to be assured and reassured. We, the Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association will be holding our monthly meeting soon and we think it will be a platform for those in charge to come and educate more residents about the benefits of this project and the parts we can play to ensure that everyone is safe”.