In spite of the benefits of pollution control policies, many developing countries including Nigeria are yet to embark on vigorous programmes that would address pollution problem in the country, U. D Ikoni, has said. U. D Ikoni, a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Benue State University, Makurdi, made this known in Abuja in a paper he presented at the National Dialogue on Environment, Deforestation and Desertification in Nigeria.

The lecturer noted that these countries are afraid that such programmes will reduce their economic growth, adding that, "policy and decision makers just do not believe that benefits from a policy of pollution control outweigh the cost and they refuse the evidence that is presented to them until a disaster occurs".

He maintained that environmental issues, most of which require much longer time-frame, tend to be overlooked in favour of what they consider to be of more or immediate importance.

According to him, another factor which undoubtedly plays a role in the neglect of pollution is that many governments suffer from an unjustified fear of industry. They know that the immediate response of industry to a vigorous policy of pollution control will be one of indignation and anger and that the political force will be mobilized to keep out any legislation that is proposed.

Ikoni attributed the lack of popular pressure as a principal factor which hitherto accounted for the slow pace of government action, "it is the local community that feels environmental pressures most acutely", adding that it is these communities that react most sensitively to environmental degradation.

Until recently, Ikoni said that the government lacks the proper structures, policies and strategies, to implement programmes of pollution control and have also lacked the trained personnel needed to monitor, evaluate and implement such policies.