The Institute of Environmental Accountants (IEA) has expressed dissatisfaction about the lukewarm attitude of some communities ravaged by oil spillage and pollution in Lagos and its environs to environmental impact assessment.
President cum chairman of Council of the institute, Dr. Olusegun Lawal, described as unfortunate a situation in which communities we have oil spillage and environmental pollution have refused to come out to tell the true because they people are benefitting from it.
He said the institute, which was established in 2008, mainly to reduce environmental effects or pollution to monetary effect; attach cost to pollution through professional and accountants, who constitute membership and fellows of the institute.
“The institute was in two communities in Lagos to conduct the environmental impact assessment, but the people were economical with the truth about the real situation about the oil pollution facing the area because they are benefiting from the oil spillage as they scoop oil for their livelihood,” he said.
Lawal, who spoke in Ikeja, Lagos, while addressing journalists about the activities of the institute in the last few years, noted that institute had concluded plans to induct new members, award of Fellow on some eminent members of the institute as well as conferment of Environmental Man of The Year.
The Registrar condemned the practice of selling disused household equipment and wares, such as rugs and utensils to the public without considering the environmental effects on the people, saying NASRA has a significant role to check the imported household wares.
“The household wares, equipment and utensils used in Nigeria and put up for sales to the public should be subjected to proper environmental impact assessment,” the President added.
