Lecture notes on Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agencies. Covering the international history of environmental protection and in nigeria as well. Finally looking at some EPA's in Nigeria both at the state and national levels.

1. Environmental Protection &
Environmental Protection
Agencies
S.K. Ilah
Dept. of Environmental Management
Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences

2. Lecture Overview
 Environmental Protection
• Definitions
• Other terms used to describe EP
 Benefits of EP
 History
• International (Environmental Movement)
• National (Nigeria)
 Environmental Protection Agencies
• Roles of EPA’s
S.K. ilah 2015

3. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Environmental Protection EP is a practice of
safeguarding the environment from an
individual, group or organisation against any
harm or degradation for the benefit and
safety of the natural and human
environment.

4. S.K. ilah 2015
Other Definitions
A successful means of tackling pollution and
series of on-going public and private efforts to
protect the environment, that is by preventing
pollution and recycling of waste.
Environmental Protection means taking an
action or a relinquishment from an action that
facilitates reservation or restoration of natural
balance.

5. S.K. ilah 2015
Other terms
There are other terms used to describe
environmental protection. These are
 Environmental Movement
 Environmental Conservation/Preservation
 Green Movement
 Environmental Stewardship

6. S.K. ilah 2015
Benefits of EP
① Minimize or avoid where necessary,
damages to the natural and human
environment.
② EP helps in reducing poverty.
③ Helps in reducing conflicts among groups
or communities.
④ Improves on the health and wellbeing of
the people.

7. S.K. ilah 2015
Benefits of EP Cont…
⑤ Helps in achieving a sustainable use of
resources.
⑥ Helps against the spread of diseases.
⑦ Improves on the overall sanitation of the
environment.

8. S.K. ilah 2015
History of EP
The history of environmental protection helps in
appreciating how various individuals, human
right groups and series of events/movements
contributed in ensuring that cases of
environmental degradation were brought to the
open. These events subsequently led to the
enactment of policies, laws and regulations by
various govts, govt. bodies all aimed at
protecting the environment.

9. S.K. ilah 2015
International History of EP
(Environmental Movement)
Prior to 1960’s
-focused on preservation of wilderness and
conservation of resources.
-the 1890 US Census higlighted “closing of the
frontier”
-formation of groups devoted to conservation
*Auduborn Society
*National Wildlife Federation NWF
*Sierra Club – John Muir (preservationist)

10. S.K. ilah 2015
International History of EP
(Environmental Movement) cont..
Post 1960’s (WW ii)
-Technological advancement
-Rocket Science
-Computers
-Pesticides
-Antibiotics
Families owned homes and more cars, industrial
activities polluted the environment.

11. S.K. ilah 2015
International History of EP
(Environmental Movement) cont..
Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ in 1962 brought to
public attention the dangers of environmental
pollution to health by the use of some chemicals
such as the pesticide DDT (disease vector control).
People became more aware of the dangers of using
this chemicals, causing cancer in humans and the
extinction of some bird species such as the ‘Bald
Eagle’ the US national symbol.
Birth of modern Environmental movement.

12. S.K. ilah 2015
International History of EP
(Environmental Movement) cont…
The Earth Day demonstration of 1970.
Emergence of several laws: National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969.
Signed into law 1 January, 1970.
NEPA: A policy created to protect the environment
for present and future generation.

13. S.K. ilah 2015
History of EP in Nigeria
The Pre Koko Saga days
-Public health
-Sanitation
-Community sanitation and cleaning
The Koko Saga
-Toxic waste dumped in Delta state in 1988
-Mr Sunday Nana at 500 naira
-Series of death recorded and traced back to the
containers with the toxic waste.

14. S.K. ilah 2015
History of EP in Nigeria cont…
The Post Koko period
 Led to promulgation of the Harmful Waste
Decree 42 of 1988
 Facilitated establishment of the Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)
through Decree 58 of 1988 and 59
(amended) of 1992.
 Nigeria became the 1st African country with
an institutional mechanism for environmental
protection.

15. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Agencies - EPA’s
Although the overall functions or duties of
EPA’s varies from country to the other, their
main aim remains somewhat the same.
They are identified with the roles of
protecting and preventing harm or damage
to the environment such as the air, water,
land, flora and fauna with the purpose of
achieving a sustainable development.

16. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Agency
An Environmental Protection Agency EPA is
a body that is responsible for safeguarding
the environment.
Carrying out the functions of environmental
protection.

17. S.K. ilah 2015
Roles of EPA’s
① Planning and conducting researches.
② Enforcing of environmental laws and
regulations.
③ Issuance of environmental permits.
④ Regulating the activities and processes of
industries such as preventing or minimizing
issues of env. pollution i.e. use of Best
Available Technology (BAT).
⑤ Regulating the disposal of waste and waste
products such as Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (e-waste).

18. S.K. ilah 2015
Roles of EPA’s cont…
⑥ To preserve or improve on the quality of
water bodies in order to remedy or mitigate
pollution such as in rivers, estuaries, coastal
waters etc.
⑦ The task of registering businesses,
monitoring and enforcing associated
obligations.
⑧ Making authoritative reports on the state of
the environment.
⑨ Ensuring that Occupational Health and
Safety measures are adhered to.

19. S.K. ilah 2015
Roles of EPA’s
⑩ Monitor industrial discharge (effluents)into
nearby water bodies and as well setting
limits or standards for the discharge of
some chemical substances.
⑪ Helps in informing policies.
⑫ Providing education about the
environment and carrying out awareness
campaigns i.e. on sanitation.

20. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Agencies in Nigeria
National Environmental Standards and
Regulations Enforcement Agency
(NESREA)
 Established by an Act of N.A in 2007
 A parastatal of Fmenv
 Responsibility of enforcing env Laws,
regulations and standards to avoid env.
Pollution activities by an individual or
organisation.

21. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Agencies in Nigeria cont…
National Oil Spill Detection Response
Agency (NOSDRA)
 A parastatal of Fmenv established by Act
No. 15 as the institutional framework to
implement National Oils Spill Contingency
Plan (NOSCP) 2001.
 Assigned with the responsibility of
ensuring compliance to env. Legislations
in the Oil sector.

22. S.K. ilah 2015
Environmental Protection
Agencies in Nigeria
Other Agencies include:
 Department of Petroleum Resources DPR
 Federal Ministry of Health
 Waste Management Authorities
 Nigerian Ports Authority NPA
 Environmental Health Officers Council
 Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON
 The 36 States Ministries of Health and
Environment
 Local Government Authorities

23. Discussion & Questions
S.K. ilah 2015