By Peter Egwuatu
THE Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) panel on Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) has submitted its report to the Federal Government, through the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa, stating that there were no major negative impacts expected to arise from all phases of the proposed project activities.

According to information made available to Vanguard, weekend, shortly after the panel’s review meeting on the proposed LFTZ phase 1 project, the draft report revealed that there are several minor to moderate negative impacts, particularly those relating to construction impacts on the  people  as  well  as  the  possibility  of  infiltration  of  groundwater  by  contaminants associated  with  project  activities  during  operations.

According to the report, there are also several positive impacts such as improved economic benefits at the micro and macro-economic levels. Also, adequate mitigation measures will be provided, to ameliorate the negative impacts.”

The EIA panel was mandated by the Federal Government to assess the possible environmental impact on LFTZ  in order to enable government come out with  long term environmental policy framework for the area.

Meanwhile, as part of the long-term plans of the Lagos State Government to build the state into a mega-city, several development projects are being conceptualized and implemented simultaneously within the state.

One of such projects being planned is the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The  first   phase  (phase  one),  involves  the  development  of  facilities  and infrastructure in a portion of  the area.  The entire Lekki Free Trade Zone covers a total area of about 16,500ha (165km2). However, this phase one covers 3,000ha (30km2). Facilities that will be constructed as part of this phase one development include road networks, electricity generation and distribution network, and housing structures, both for administrative and residential purposes.

The EIA report was organized to conform to the format set out by Federal Ministry of Environment and Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR)

According to draft report signed by both Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zoe Development Company, Messrs Chen Xiao Xing and Adeyemo hompson, “ Given the plethora of impacts identified, mitigation measures were recommended for the negative impacts.

If the mitigation measures recommended are effectively implemented, along with those built into project design, all the moderate impacts will be reduced to minor in significance, while most of the minor impacts will become negligible to insignificant.”