Community based environmental impact assessment of the university of Ibadan International Conference Centre

Abstract

Community based impact assessment provides basic and up to date information on the extent to which an infrastructural project affects the environment and livelihood of community dwellers. This study assessed the environmental impacts of situating University of Ibadan International Conference Centre (UIICC), Nigeria on its adjoining communities in with a view to identifying the effects of UIICC building on the livelihood of its neighboring communities. The data for this study was obtained through oral interview, questionnaire administration and visual observation analysed using descriptive statistics. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were randomly distributed within three communities (Abadina, Orogun and Barika) around the UIICC. The results of this study showed that majority the respondents (54%) had lived within and around the university environment for more than eight (8) years and 46.6% had obtained tertiary education. However, they are all involves in different occupation including students. This research reveals that during events in the conference centre, business activities within the communities increases, temporal employment and tight security are provided. Furthermore, deforestation and soil degradation were among the observed negative impacts of UIICC to the environment. Landscaping, planting of avenue tree and ornamental plants within and outside the conference centre and provision of good drainage systems are some of the mitigative measures recommended by this study. Hence, employment of youths from the communities was identifies as key to preventing future conflict between the University and the communities.