This Act establishes the Federal Environmental Protection Agency as a body corporate and specifies the powers and functions necessary for the effective implementation of the Act. The Act consists of 42 sections divided into 4 Parts, i.e.: Establishment, membership, functions and powers of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (I): National environmental standards (II): Establishment of state and local environmental bodies (III): and Supplementary and Miscellaneous (IV). The Agency has responsibility for the protection and development of the environment including environmental research and technology (sect. 5) and will advise the government on environmental policies as well as cooperating with state ministries, local councils and research agencies on matters relating to environmental protection. It shall be an integral part of the Presidency. For the effective implementation of the Agency's functions this Act confers upon its employees certain powers including the power to inspect, search and seize and the power to arrest offenders. Section 5 of the Act lists the powers of the Agency including its ability to make grants available and establish the environmental criteria, guidelines and standards in order to protect the national environment. The Director‐General will be the chief executive of the Agency (sect. 8) and be appointed by the President. The Director-General will be responsible for developing policies and coordinating environmentally related activities at all levels. Section 13 refers to the establishment of a fund that will serve the expenses of the Agency. Part II concerns standards as regards to water, hazardous substances and spiller's liability. Under section 40 the Director-General may with approval of the Agency make Regulations for the purposes of the Act but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing. Definitions are stated in section 38. The Act is completed by a Schedule which contains supplementary provisions relating to the Agency.
Nigeria · 1988-12-30