Again, EIA on 260km Super Highway Runs into Hitch

As the ding-dong affairs between the Cross River State government, the Federal Ministry of Environment and stakeholders on the proposed 260-kilometre Super Highway continues, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) project appears to have failed after a third attempt to get the document approved.

Indications to this effect came to the fore yesterday during the stakeholders’ family meeting organised by the ministry in Calabar.

Speaking at the event which held at Channel View Hotel, the representative of the Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, the Director on EIA in the ministry, Mr. John Alonge, said a thorough job needed to be done on the document.

“The federal ministry observed that the state government’s consultant in the project has not done a thorough job and we will encourage the consultants to do a thorough job.

“At the end of the day, we are looking at a valid document that can stand the test of time. This document we will put on website and the World bank will look at it….

“We are tired of shouting; we expect a robust EIA, do a good job and let your consultant not end in this hall.”

The minister said the consultant still has much to do to get the document to internationally accepted standards.

Jibrin said the EIA presented by the state failed to address most contending issues and is short of international standard and cannot meet World Bank requirement.

Speaking at the event, the state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, however noted that an aggregation of opinion indicated that the stakeholders were not opposed to the construction of the super highway.

“It is obvious that all is not against the issue of superhighway, however we also noted that our consultants have to look at issues suggested and how we can remedy them. We shall do more consultations of the communities involved to capture all.

“Also, we have noted the expert advice and various issues raised and how they will be addressed, we are a listening government, we want the UN-REDD and funding to continue. We are very anxious about resumption of activities on the superhighway... Please do all you can to assist us positively,” Esu said.