The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) and the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative will assess Nigerian communities’ access to environmental rights, information and justice.

The Executive director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Jakpor said the assessment forms part of a 20-country case study by the Environmental Rights in Africa (ERA) Coalition, launched on Wednesday with support from the Open Society Foundation.

He said similar studies would be conducted in 19 other African countries across West, East, Central, Southern and North Africa.

According to him, findings from the national studies will be consolidated into a continental report on environmental rights, governance and justice.

He said the report would identify regional trends, document good practices and recommend policy reforms to strengthen environmental rights across Africa.

“The studies support the coalition’s five-year strategy to promote environmental rights and advance a regional framework for Africa,” he stated.

Mr Jakpor said researchers would combine desk reviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions using a common methodology.

He said the study would capture the experiences of communities, environmental defenders, women, youths, indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups.

He quoted the chairman of the ERA Steering Committee, Ahmad Abdallah, as saying the research extended beyond academic inquiry.

He said, “These case studies are about people as much as they are about policies. African communities are defending their lands, forests, rivers and livelihoods under increasingly difficult circumstances. “

Mr Abdallah said the research would amplify local voices, strengthen advocacy and advance a shared continental vision for environmental rights.

He said the coalition was calling on governments, civil society organisations, academia, development partners and the private sector to support the research.

According to him, the findings will provide evidence to advance environmental justice for present and future generations.

(NAN)