Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Vegetation Site Assessment

Vegetation Assessment for the Lagos Free Zone

Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) is a privately owned industrial zone located along the Lekki Corridor in Lagos, Nigeria. It recently applied for funding from the IFC to undergo an expansion following the establishment of Phase I. As part of its due diligence exercise, IFC assigned RINA, an international environmental consultancy, to conduct an abridged ecological impact assessment to assess the current conditions at the site in comparison with the baseline conditions from 10 years ago.

RINA sub-contracted CARES Group to assess the current vegetation profile in comparison with the profile that existed over a decade ago, and in compliance with IFC Performance Standards (PS) 6.

The assessment focused solely on the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), covering approximately 842 hectares in the southwestern part of Nigeria’s Lagos state, bordering various villages forming the primary stakeholder communities for the assessment.

CARES Group conducted the vegetation site reconnaissance by carrying out:

a. Pre-Site assessment- This included the desktop review of historical maps, existing reports, and a design of a field sampling strategy and methods aligned with client and regulatory requirements.

b. Site Assessment: included a walkover survey, vegetation sample collection, including georeferencing and stakeholder consultations, and interviews with employees and residents within the project area of influence.

c. Post-Site Assessment: Report on findings and observations.