Integrating community perceptions and cultural diversity in social impact assessment in Nigeria

• Published in: Environmental impact assessment review Vol. 55; pp. 74 - 83
• Main Authors: Nzeadibe, Thaddeus Chidi, Ajaero, Chukwuedozie Kelechukwu, Okonkwo, Emeka Emmanuel, Okpoko, Patrick Uche, Akukwe, Thecla Iheoma, Njoku-Tony, Roseline Feechi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2015
• Subjects: Alienates; Assessments; COMMUNITIES; Community perceptions; Community relations; COMPLIANCE; Cultural diversity; Culture; DECISION MAKING; Deltas; ENVIRONMENT; Environmental impact assessments; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS; ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Natural gas; Niger Delta; NIGERIA; Perception; SOCIAL IMPACT; Social impact assessment; SUSTAINABILITY; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; Nigeria; ASE, Nigeria, Rivers, Niger Delta; Social impact assessment; Cultural diversity; Community perceptions; Niger Delta; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 0195-9255; 1873-6432
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2015.07.005

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act of 1992 aimed to make the environment a central theme in development in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the extent of engagement with local cultures in the Nigerian EIA process is not statutorily guaranteed. While most EIAs in Nigeria have been for oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta, and have focused strongly on the biophysical environment, socio-economic and cultural aspects have remained marginal. The palpable neglect of community perceptions and cultural diversity in social impact assessment (SIA) in this region prone to conflict has tended to alienate the people in the decision-making process. Thus, despite claims to compliance with regulatory requirements for EIAs, and numerous purported sustainable development initiatives by international oil companies (IOCs), the region continues to face multiple sustainability challenges. This paper situates local perceptions and cultural diversity in participatory development and canvasses the integration of community perceptions and cultural diversity into SIA in the Niger Delta region. It is argued that doing this would be critical to ensuring acceptance and success of development actions within the context of local culture while also contributing to sustainable development policy in the region. •Nigeria EIA Act aimed to make the environment central to development in Nigeria.•Engagement with local communities in the process is not statutorily guaranteed.•SIAs in Nigeria neglect community perceptions and cultural diversity.•Article canvasses integrating community perceptions and cultural diversity in SIA.•Local acceptance in context of culture would yield sustainable development outcomes.