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ECN, UNDP step up action on sustainable energy initiative

Michael Simire
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Against the backdrop of the official launch of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4ALL) a couple of months ago, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has stepped up action towards developing a National Action Plan that will lead to the realisation of the initiative.

President Goodluck Jonathan had in August launched the SE4ALL, which is aimed at doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, ensure universal access to modern energy services and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by the year 2030.

Essentially, each country is expected to undertake a Rapid Assessment and Gap Analysis on SE4ALL towards developing a National Action Plan on the initiative.

To this end, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the UNDP last Thursday in Abuja held a one-day stakeholders awareness and consultation on the SE4ALL, where the Report of Rapid Assessment and Gap Analysis on SE4ALL in Nigeria by UNDP consultants was presented and analysed.

While presenting the report, Huzi Mshelia, a UNDP consultant, said the report is focused and that whatever gaps identified would be incorporated into the final report.

He listed some of the identified gaps to include: policy, political and potential market risks, natural gas supply constraints, over dependence on oil and gas, funding risks, international cooperation, lack of adequate man power in the energy sector and energy governance, among others.

Mshelia said countries that have increased their energy access are experiencing increase in Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Director- General of ECN, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, represented by Director of Energy Planning and Anaysis in the organisation, Joseph Ojosu, an engineer, submitted that renewable energy is inevitable as it reduces greenhouse gases (GHGs) and brings about green jobs.

He said implementation of SE4ALL would be done locally and involves all the stakeholders, while the citizenry would be more sensitised on the programme.

Sambo, who commended the UNDP for supporting the programme, said that, for Nigeria to be one of the world’s leading economies by year 2020, the issue of low carbon economy must be taken seriously.

Deputy Director of ECN, Okon Ekpenyoug, an engineer, in his presentation on SE4ALL : contents, progress and next step, said achieving sustainable energy for all is an ambitious but achievable goal, adding that the work of achieving sustainable energy for all will not be completed in a single year, or even in the four-year term of a President.

“But we must begin somewhere,” he stated, adding that the Nigerian energy sector is endowed with abundant energy resources such as hydro power, uranium, and crude oil, among others.

While scrutinising the reports in the three groups (energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency), participants identified several gaps. Ekpenyong promised that all gaps identified have been addressed by the consultant.

The workshop was attended by civil society groups, government officials from parastatals and agencies, as well as media and academia.

By Kayode Aboyeji

Projects completion, initiation mark Gov Fayemi’s two years in office

Michael Simire
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A spate of development initiatives were brought to the fore last week as Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State marked his second year in office.

Gov Fayemi

While numerous projects scattered far and wide within the state were formally completed, several others were likewise officially initiated.

In what seemed like a busy week that commenced on Tuesday – and even continues today and ends tomorrow – the governor was on the road, personally commissioning completed projects and laying the foundation for fresh ones. The programme had “Reclaiming the trust: Delivering the promise” as its theme.

The projects on focus spanned road construction and rehabilitation, renovation of schools and construction of new ones, development of fresh institutional buildings, electricity/power, as well as water and tourism facilities.

For instance, a collection of novel schemes supposedly designed to advance development and leave a lasting legacy in the state – tagged “Legacy Projects” – were officially flagged-off on Tuesday. They are all located within Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and include Data Centre, Government House, Governor’s Office, Civic Centre, State Pavilion, the Samsung Engineering Academy and Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.

On completion of the new Governor’s Office, the present facility in use for that purpose – originally designed as a hotel – will revert to that use.

Ijan-Ilupeju Rural Electrification project

On Wednesday, the focus was on Ekiti South Senatorial District, where the Grand Tower Mall will be built and in respect of which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. Other projects were: foundation laying for Omuo-Oke, Omuo-Oke Grammar School, foundation laying of Life Academy Foundation (Iluomoba), Enterprise Development Centre (Aisegba), Ilupeju-Ijan Electricity Project, Ijaloke Grammar School (Emure) and Science Laboratory at Obada High School.

Indeed, Dr Fayemi on Thursday commissioned 10 major roads totalling 103 km, in an apparent fulfilment of the resolve of his administration to make all the communities in the state accessible by motorable roads by 2014.

Efon-Alaaye Water Treatment Plant

The governor also commissioned five water treatment plants as part of people-oriented projects.

The 10 roads which are located in Ekiti Central Senatorial District include: 14.3 km Erijinyan-Ilawe Road, 12km Odo Owa- Oke Ila Road, 6.25km Awo-Iyin Road, 24km Ikogosi-Efon Road, 11.5km Ado- Ilawe  Road, and 5km Fajuyi-Basiri-Police Headquarters Road.

Others are 1.65km Fajuyi-Teaching Hospital Road, 10.75km Ado-Afao Road, 2km Ijigbo-Isato Road and 13km Osun-Iloro Road.

Okemesi Water Treatment Plant

Commissioning the various roads, Fayemi said the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the roads became necessary following their deplorable condition which had given “motorists nightmarish experiences traversing the roads”.

According to the governor, the government decided to award the roads, especially those leading to Ado Ekiti in November 2011in order to ameliorate the sufferings of motorists and also to give the State capital a face-lift even as Fajuyi-Teaching Hospital Road was planned to link the on-going Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road with Fajuyi Park.

He added that government is rehabilitating 16 other roads within the township to make Ado-Ekiti an enviable state capital.

While commissioning the Ado-Afao Road, the Governor said the rehabilitation of the road would be a great relief to motorists using the road especially, those going towards Ikole and the northern part as it is a shorter link than the Ado-Ifaki Road.

Fayemi, who noted that the road was constructed by Ayo Fayose in 2005, added that the road did not last and became a hideout for miscreants.

He stated that the rehabilitation would enhance the economic activities of the residents along the road.

The five water treatment plants and reservoir commissioned are located at Ipole Iloro, Efon, Ido Ile, Okemesi and Mary Hill Ado Ekiti.

Fayemi said the water projects are to achieve the target of his administration to provide potable water to at least 80 percent of the state population by 2014.

He said concerted efforts are being put in place to ensure that all the four dams in the State become functional as a bulk of the 2013 budget will be expended on water.

Meanwhile a new dawn is now experienced by the people of Odo Uro, a communtiy in Iyin Ekiti, as the governor commissioned a rural electrification project for the community.

The scope of work done involved about 0.1km Inter Town Connection (ITC), 1.8km Township Distribution Network (TDN), a 300KVA transformer and street lighting.

Fayemi, who commissioned the project, said government realises the importance of electricity supply to the economic and social development of rural communities hence the prime place of Infrastructural Development in the administration’s Eight-Point Agenda.

A health centre at Ido Ile and a Skills Acquisition Centre at Iropora Ekiti which were carried out under the State Community and Social Development Agency were commissioned.

Speaking on Fayemi’s achievements, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, commended the governor and urged him not to be discouraged by criticisms but should see such as a “tonic” that would spur him to work more for the development of the state.

The traditional ruler lauded Fayemi for the rapid and evenly distributed dividends of democracy that has got to virtually all communities in the state, saying that the gesture is unprecedented.

West African govts cautioned against impacts of mining

Michael Simire
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Mr Salif Lamoussa Kabore, Burkina Faso’s Minister for Mining, Quarries and Energy, has called for effective regulation of mining activities in the West African Sub-region to prevent environmental degradation.

Miners

He said although mining contributed to the socio-economic development of countries in the sub-region, “it does not come without environmental impact for our nations”.

Mr Kabore noted that the rate, at which mining was being operated in West Africa recently, ‘’leaves much to be desired due to governments’ quest to open up private investment.’’

He said notwithstanding the fact that mining contributes to foreign exchange earner for some countries; it has to be operated not at the expense of the environment and people.

The Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Technical Advisor, Mr Bassirou Ouedraogo at a five-day regional workshop to build the capacity of the Media on mining issues, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, recently.

The event that was held on the theme: “Mining and the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources in West Africa”,  attracted 30 journalists from West African countries such as Ghana, Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Faso, and another participant from Cameroun, and Bukinabe Parliamentarians.

It was jointly organised by The Global Water Partnership (GWP),  West Africa, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-PACO) of the West and Central Africa regions.

Mr Kabore said: ‘’we do not have to sit down unconcerned, till we start having acid rains from pollutants or downstream water becomes so contaminated and cannot be used for domestic, agricultural or industrial activities.

He called on governments, media and other stakeholders to raise the awareness of decision makers and the people on the need to preserve the environment and to promote the process of mitigating the impact of the exploitation of minerals.

The Minister lamented that mining, including illegal mining, resulted in water pollution, deforestation, and acid rain.

The chairman for GWP, West Africa, Mr Hama Arba Diallo, noted that the Media and Parliament were important institutions for information sharing for development.

He said the workshop was aimed at giving the chance to  the countries to create awareness on consequences of the mining.

“Open, artisanal or illegal mining is being done at great cost to countries and the issue must be looked at critically because it is done in a disorganized way,” Mr Diallo said.

Dr Aime Yameogo, official of IUCN-PACO, said the institution was working to help find pragmatic solutions to environment and development challenges.

He said:  ‘’the dilemma of countries to preserve natural resources and the need for exploitation of these resources for foreign exchange has affected many countries, and there is the need for decision makers to do their best in the interest of the people they serve.’’

By Dzifa Azumah

LAWMA, CCDI initiate Yaba LGA recycling bank

Michael Simire
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Moves to activate the waste recycling bank given to the Yaba Local Government Council by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have commenced, courtesy of a recent brainstorming session organised by the Community Conservation and Development Initiatives (CCDI). Yaba is said to be only the second LGA, after Amuwo Odofin, to have such a facility.

Yaba LGA Chairman, Olajide Jimoh

The CCDI has been working with Yaba LGA on the “Mobilising Local Government for Climate Action” project, which also involves two other local governments and is being supported by the Heinrich Boll Foundation. The main objective of the project, according to Kofo Adeleke, CCDI’s Director of Programmes, is to create awareness, build capacity and develop common participatory positions on climate change within local governments and their communities.

For Yaba LGA, one of the priority areas for action was waste management, she pointed out in a press statement, adding that CCDI contacted LAWMA and an agreement was made to place a waste separation bank for recycling in the Yaba LGA secretariat, which in turn gave its commitment to use it properly and cooperate with LAWMA.

The handover ceremony involved introductory remarks by Adeleke, who gave the background to the partnership between CCDI, Yaba LGA and LAWMA. Yaba LGA Chairman, Olajide Jimoh, gave the welcome address.

Tolulope Adeyo, the recycling manager at LAWMA, stated the purpose of the waste bank and the importance and benefits of recycling waste and how the local government health officers would work with LAWMA to manage the bank.

Olumide Thompson of Midori Environmental solutions provided a practical demonstration of a small scale, locally fabricated, hand-operated briquetting machine, which turns sawdust and other waste residue in to briquettes suitable for fuel. Teni Majekodunmi, Executive Director of EcoXchange, spoke about funding opportunities for recycling.

Jimoh thanked LAWMA and CCDI for their assistance in bringing these initiatives to the local government and said that all members of staff must start separating waste and directed that they should all start immediately by bringing plastic bottles to the waste bank. He also expressed a desire to establish a small briquette making industry for youths within the community.

Federal Govt votes N17.6b to states, agencies for flood

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has allocated the sum of N17.6 billion to states and agencies to cushion the effect of floods in many parts of the country.

Jonathan

The breakdown of the figure shows that N13.3 billion goes to the affected states, while agencies involved in tackling the disaster will receive N4.3 billion.

The president made the announcement on Tuesday morning in a national broadcast on the state of the nation.

He also raised a committee on flood relief and rehabilitation headed by Business mogul, Aliko Dangote and former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Olisa Agbakoba.

The National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation has Dr. Mike Adenuga, another business mogul as the chief fund mobiliser.

The committee has one year to conclude its tasks among which is to raise funds in support of government’s efforts to provide urgent relief for victims of floods across the country.

The affected states were categorised into four groups based on the present assessment.

Category A states will receive N500 million each, while states in category B and C will get N400 million and N300 million respectively.

The government splashed N250 million each on states in category D.

States in the A Category are – Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.

While Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River, Edo, Lagos and Imo are pooled in category B.

Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers are the states in category C.

The category D comprised Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory.

The committee which is also expected to advise government on the judicious utilization of funds raised has been authorized by President Jonathan to co-opt any other persons or organizations that it may find useful in carrying out its assignment.

The committee members are expected to operate from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Flood: Fears of famine as East-West highway is threatened

Michael Simire
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The Delta State Government has expressed fears that, following the extensive flooding being experienced in the state, famine is looming, and that the East may be cut off from the rest of the country.

A flooded community

The over two weeks of ravaging flood in the state, besides claiming the lives of a traditional ruler as well as over 10 others, has submerged houses, markets, hospitals, banks and other facilities.

The flood, which has inundated over 100 houses, is also threatening to take over the busy Onitsha-Asaba-Benin Expressway at the River Niger bridge end at Asaba, and cutting the Eastern part of the country from the rest of Nigeria.

Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama, disclosed that the worst is yet to come, saying that the fact that the month of River Niger is in Asaba confirms the notion that the calamity would be more than this since all the water in the northern part of the country finds its way to Delta.

He stated that despite the fact that more camps are being created to accommodate the over 10,000 displaced people, the naval base in Delta has been contacted to rescue people trapped in the flood, just as he said clinics have been opened in the camps to treat people with river borne diseases contacted through contaminated water.

Delta State Commissioner of Information, Chike Ogeah, while inspecting the extent of damage caused by the flood, said the Asaba-Onitsha Road could suffer the fate of the Lokoja-Abuja Road (which was submerged) if the government does not urgently do something.

He said the disaster is overwhelming, considering the number of the displaced persons, even as he pleaded with the Federal Government to immediately put machinery in motion to arrest the trend, warning that the East will be cut off from other parts of the country as a result of the rising water level.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Misan Ikubehinje, emphatically said famine is imminent considering the damage done to farmlands, livestock and all aquatic lives, saying most affected are farmers who have farms that link the tributaries of River Niger.

According to him, most hardly hit are the fish, crop and pig farmers who have lost their fishes, an indication that there could be shortage of food. He expressed regret that 90 per cent of the farmers did not insure their farms and farm yield, “an indication that that have lost everything to the disaster.”

Meanwhile, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has directed the heads of the flooded Local Government Areas of the state to drive the efforts to evacuate victims of the current flooding in the state within two days.

Uduaghan, who directed all political appointees to return to their LGAs to assist in the evacuation and rehabilitation efforts during a meeting with members of the flood disaster committee, political appointees and Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) of the affected local government areas, said those trapped by the flood must be evacuated within two day.

In particular, he said a comprehensive report of the flooding detailing every community affected, number of displaced persons, those trapped, casualties, rehabilitation camps, problems and challenges faced should be ready within the same period. He noted that the welfare of the displaced persons was paramount to the state government, stressing that his
administration was putting everything in place to make the rehabilitation camps conducive.

“We are asking for assistance from other organisations and groups because everybody needs to be involved whether they are from the affected areas or not., So far, I have refused financial assistance from people, if any group or person has money to help the displaced people, they should convert it to tangible goods,” he said.

A victim, Chief Patrick Onyeobi, who is former Secretary to the State Government in the old Bendel State, lamented the flood that has sacked his family from his house in Asaba, saying the flood is like a warzone and that if the water does not recede Asaba would be cut off.

Corroborating Onyeobi, Okocha Paul, President, Ewulu Progressive Union (EPU), said the water covered his house just as he said his children are living on the tree for the past three days while the rest of his family are stranded in an unknown place.

In a related development, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has inaugurated a State Emergency Response Flood Management Committee to co-ordinate immediate evacuation of flood victims and provide relief materials in the eight LGAs of the state.

The committee is headed by Deputy Governor, John Jonah, while Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Edmund Allison-Oguru, would serve as Secretary.

Membership of the committee comprises over 20 officials including special advisers, government special representatives of LGAs, representative of Commissioner of Police, Special Adviser on Security, House of Assembly Committee chairman on Environment and Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa.

Chairmen of LGAs would serve as chairmen of their respective Local Flood Relief Sub-Committees as well as Commandants of camps. The Committee is also saddled with the responsibility of evacuating victims of all the flood ravaged communities to relief camps to be built on high land locations.

Dickson charged the committee to interface with all relevant agencies of government and other international relief agencies to provide succour for all victims in the camps and work out a post-flood relief and possible mitigation measures to forestall adverse effects on the state’s economy.

According to the governor, government had designated the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa as camp for people displaced by the flood.

Save 80 stove: Curbing desertification, carbon emission

Michael Simire
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There is no doubt that the entire world and indeed Nigeria has started feeling the impact of the much talked about climate change. The current devastating flooding which has ravaged almost every part of the country is a clear indication that climate change is real. On a daily basis in recent weeks, it has been tales of flood ravaging one community or the other, washing away houses, farmlands, crops , animals and human beings  just as hundreds of thousands of people have been rendered homeless. With this ugly development, nobody needs to be told that climate change is real

Yahaya Ahmed with the Save 80 stove

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Another environment issue that has not received serious attention from our policy makers is the matter concerning clean energy and environment degradation. For some time now, the issue of clean energy is being discussed at various levels of governance and privately but the unfortunate thing is the fact that the policy makers appeared not to have really understood what the issue is all about. And if they understand, it seems that they may not be interested in it. Be it as it may, our government at all levels, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria, should wake up from slumber and confront the issue of clean energy in the region head-on.

It is no exaggeration to say that the entire land in the far North is being taken over by desertification. From Maiduguri to Yobe, Jigawa to Kano, Katsina to Zamfara, Sokoto to Birnin Kebbi and now to parts of Kaduna and Niger states, desertification is gradually enveloping the land. In addition to this natural disaster, due to non-availability or high cost of energy for domestic use, trees are being felled for firewood for domestic cooking as alternative energy. Where kerosene is available, the rural dwellers may not be able to afford the price just as the cost of cooking gas is out of the reach of the masses.

It was against this backdrop that the management of Developmental Association of Renewable Energy (DARE), a Kaduna-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on an aggressive sensitisation and enlightenment of the rural populace on the use of the Save 80 Fuel Wood Stove that conserves the use of firewood. In fact, over 80 percent of rural populace in the Northern part of Nigeria use firewood as alternative source of energy. No wonder, therefore, that the incident of tree felling is more pronounced in the North despite the fact that desertification is threatening the region.

Chief Executive Officer of DARE, Yahaya Ahmed, who spoke recently to some members of African Adaptation Programme (AAP) Nigeria Media Network during a visit to DARE facilities (as part of the Network’s tour of the nation’s approved Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project sites) in Kaduna, said Nigeria has abundant clean energy that could serve the entire nation for both domestic and industrial use.

The Save 80 Fuel Stove is one of the five approved Nigerian CDM projects by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Others include: Recovery of Associated Gas (that would otherwise be flared) at the Kwale Oil-Gas Processing Plant, owned by AGIP; Pan Ocean Gas Utilisation Project in Ovade-Ogharafe; Asuokpu-Umutu Marginal Field Gas Recovery Facility, owned by Platform Petroleum; and, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Composting Project in Ikorodu, Lagos State, registered December 2010 and owned by EarthCare Nigeria Limited.

Ahmed said: “What the nation needs is to key into the new technology and our energy problem will be a thing of the past. In fact, the cost of kerosene to cook for a family is too high that the people cannot afford and that is why we came out with the cook stove which  we call ‘Save 80’. The ‘Save 80,’ in a nutshell, saves 80 percent of the firewood normally used on the traditional stove. Apart from the fact that using ‘Save 80’ cook stove saves money, saves the environment health wise, the smoke that comes out of this stove is very little; unlike the traditional firewood smoke which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm over its devastating effect on women.”

According to him, this year, DARE has registered the pilot scheme and, after verification by United Nations auditors, “we have registered for another big project for the whole of Nigeria because the first pilot project was successful. At the end of this project, emission reduction will be very high because, in the small scale project, we are supposed to save 30,000 tons per annum for using 12,500 stoves while in the new project which we are thinking of producing a minimum of 100,000 stoves, we are expected to save over 1,120,000 tons of emission reduction per annum if the entire project takes off.”

Obviously, the efforts of DARE in the provision of alternative energy can only be appreciated when one visits the CDM project site. Key players in the power sector can take advantage of the revolution taking place at DARE with a view to ensuring development in the sector especially in terms of energy efficiency towards the protection of the environment.

The notion is that if the Nigerian government can collaborate with the organisation, the country would be able, to a considerable extent, address its energy-related challenges. Again, if the country is to achieve the desired goal of being among the first 20 economies in the world by the year 2020 (20:2020), the leaders have to be seriously thinking towards collaborating with groups that have the technology and manpower to realise this goal. It is not an exaggeration to say that the current energy crisis in Nigeria today is lamentable.

Conducting the environment reporters round the project site, Ahmed described efforts being made by his organisation towards taking clean energy to the grassroots. Apart from sensitising the rural populace on the advantages in using the Save 80 stoves, prices of the products, he disclosed, are heavily subsidised just as they (the stoves) are of a variety which can be purchased at affordable price.

According to industry experts, Nigeria needs more environment-friendly source of energy to curb pollution and land degradation by embracing modern technology that enables the reduction of carbon emission into the atmosphere.

By Thomas Adejo

African leaders tasked on urban challenges

Michael Simire
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Developing countries, particular Nigeria, have been called upon to brace up with the challenges that come with urbanisation.

Lagos, Nigeria

Dr. Alex Ezeh (Eecutive Director, African Population and Health Research Centre in Nairobi, Kenya) and Alhaji Waheed Kadiri (Chairman, African Planners Association) both shared this sentiment while speaking last week at the 2nd International Conference of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos. The three-day event had “Urban transition in a dynamic world” as its theme.

Ezeh, in a presentation, said that urbanisation as part of human evolution has come to stay, and that the only solution to the challenges that will continue to accompany it is for government to brace up to tackle those challenges.

He stressed that, of all the regions in the world, sub-Saharan Africa has experienced the most rapid growth in population size over the past four decades and that the rapid growth is set to continue over the next four decades with the region’s  population doubling to about two billion people by 2050.

The urban development expert added that while urban growth is associated with overall growth in socio-economic development and improved living standards, cities are seen and defined as centres of innovation, engines of growth and development. He described urbanisation as a consequence of development.

Pondering if African urban centres can be labelled an engine or incubator of development, he added that recent evidence from sub-Saharan Africa has questioned this long-held view of urban advantage in key development indicators.
According to him, an estimated 72 percent of urban dwellers now live in slums or slum-like conditions while poverty is growing among them, while the population of those living in poverty in urban centres now exceeds those living in the rural areas. He also alluded to the fact that health conditions among urban dwellers are now declining.

While proffering solutions to the challenges posed by urbanisation, Ezeh called on government to evolve a policy that will address issue of slums as the continent will find it difficult to compete with other nations with half of its population living in slums.

He clamoured access to land and provision of balanced infrastructure as well as addressing the issue of energy deficiency, while strengthening urban economies. “Most of the urban population in sub-Saharan Africa now engage in the informal sector which cannot move the continent forward. The government should invest in the productive sector of the economy,” he said.

Ezeh called on policy makers to address the issue of unemployment and to restructure institutions of higher learning, adding that the tools being used in the learning process are outdated and cannot cope with the present day demand.

Kadiri, on his part, listed some of the challenges facing urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa to include: growth without planning, growth without autonomous financing to sustain development, growth without employment base, urbanisation without urban governance structures, and growth without spatial boundaries, which he said portend a great danger if not tackled with realistic policies.

He said that the people must be involved in decision making and policy implementation, lamenting that urban centres now lack a governance structure. Kadiri warned that such a situation can lead to chaos if not urgently remedied.

While admonishing planners to take the issue of  the environment seriously, Kadiri, a former President of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), said that climate change has intense consequences on urbanisation, some of which he identified as flooding with attendant infrastructural collapse.

Curtail deforestation from monoculture tree plantations, group urges govt

Michael Simire
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On the occasion of the International Day Against Plantations and Monocultures that was observed recently, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has advised the Nigerian government to go beyond sloganeering by mustering the political will to adopt realistic and community-friendly approaches to fighting the climate change phenomenon instigated by unsustainable forest practices.

ERA/FoEN also called on the government to revoke the lease agreement between Michelin Nigeria Limited and the Edo State Government entered into on May 28, 2007 for non-compliance.

The 2012 event is premised on the outcome of researches which conclude that globally, the clearing of forests for plantations have contributed to carbon emissions, contributing around 20 per cent of global CO2 output. This development is egged on by rich countries and transnational companies that buy chunks of forests, while still polluting.

Deforestation and conversion of forests to plantations has been identified as the second largest contributor to global warming.

In statement, ERA/FoEN urged the Nigerian government to prioritise community concerns over profits as the emergence of plantations have not brought development but rather impoverishment on communities wherever they exist.

“As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this annual event to promote a safe environment and sustainable environment, we demand that the Nigerian government stop gambling with our forests and adopt realistic and practical steps in fighting climate change. The way to go is first stopping further leases for expansion of monoculture plantations and then engaging community forest management practices,” said ERA/FoEN Director, Programmes & Administration, Godwin Ojo.

Ojo explained that the predominant plantation types in Nigeria are rubber and palm oil plantations, with Okomu Oil Palm Plc and Michelin Nigeria acting as the key corporations behind the expansion of  plantations in southern Nigeria to the detriment of local communities.

“The negative social and environmental impacts of monocultures are not restricted only to countries like Brazil, South Africa, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, but are also evident in communities in Nigeria like Iguobazuwa in Edo State where Michelin converted the forest reserve to a rubber (latex) plantation for export to Europe to make car tyres.”

Ojo underscored the need for the Nigerian government to place a ban on unsustainable logging practices, among other demands such as an outright revocation of lease agreement between Michelin Nigeria Limited and the Edo State government entered into on May 28, 2007, and remediation of the environment by planting fast growing plants of varying species to restore the forest reserve to its former state.

ERA/FoEN also demanded comprehensive and adequate compensation package to be administered under the supervision of the Edo State government and relevant civil society groups to the affected farmers and communities.

“We insist that plantations are not forests. The Nigerian government stops the expansion of monoculture tree plantations in Iguabazuwa and other communities in Nigeria. The real motive behind expanding plantations is profits for private pockets and not for public good. The time to halt this unacceptable trend is now,” Ojo insisted.

Affordable housing: Propertymart incorporates luxury flats in Abuja Grenadines Lokogoma Estate

Michael Simire
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In the bid to ensure that its products are affordable, bigwig property developer, the Lagos-based Messrs Propertymart Real Estate Investment Limited, has disclosed that blocks of luxury flats will be built at the highbrow “Grenadines Home Lokogoma” in Abuja.

An impression of the blocks of flats in the estate

The estate will feature five three-storey blocks that will house 84 dwelling units of three-bedroom ensuite luxury flats. The blocks will provide generous space for parking.

Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi, Propertymart’s Branch Head in Abuja, said that the initiative was informed by the need to make housing more affordable to civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who are contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) and are entitled to accessing loans from the scheme.

A three-bedroom ensuite luxury flat is being sold for N17.5 million, but an Independence Day promo has pegged the asking price to N14.5 million, he said. The promo commences from October 1, 2012 and ends November 15, 2012, or while stock lasts.

A beneficiary will make a 10 percent down payment and spread the rest either within 18 months or 24 months, according to Adeniyi.

He stressed that the estate is targeted at NHF contributors, who can access a loan of about N15 million from the housing finance scheme. According to him, Propertymart is in talks with an Abuja-based primary mortgage institution (PMI) to facilitate the mortgage financing of the houses to lucky beneficiaries.

The blocks of flats within the entire estate

Apart from the blocks of flats, Propertymart is also building for sale homes such as the four-bedroom terrace house (with a boys’ quarter), four-bedroom semi-detached duplex (also with a boys’ quarter) and five-bedroom fully detached duplex. Some of the houses display penthouses with roof-top terraces for relaxation, loft-styled finish, personal car parking, glass curtain walling, Jacuzzi and unique colour finishing.

Located in Lokogoma District around the Games Village in Abuja, “Grenadines Home Lokogoma” sits on a five-hectare stretch of land, with about 2,000 square metres reserved for recreation facilities and open spaces.

The entire estate will be equipped with facilities such as swimming pool, gym and lawn tennis court. The estate has close proximity with the popular Games Village and other adjourning estates. It is about 15 minutes’ drive to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and also 15 minutes’ drive from the Central Business District of Abuja. Located in a residential area, it is about 10 minutes from Shoprite, touted as Africa’s largest shopping mall.

Initiated through a partnership agreement between Propertymart and Omega Homes Limited, the “Grenadines Home Lokogoma” is targeting the middle and high income class.

The Lagos-based architectural firm of Messrs Play In Architecture Limited designed the estate and the dwelling units, while Messrs Billing Cost & Associates are quantity surveyors to the project.

On what informed the choice of Abuja for the estate, Adeniyi said: “We want to repeat the same feat we have recorded in the South-West over the on-going construction of ‘Grenadines Arepo,’ where the civil engineering infrastructure is being handled by the PW Group.

“Apart from desiring quality homes to be delivered at an affordable rate and on time, we want to stand out in the real estate market and raise the standard being set by developers on construction of housing projects in Abuja. The aim is also to advance the economy through real estate.”

According to him, Propertymart nurses an ambition to build more estates in Abuja upon the completion of Grenadines Homes Lokogoma. He added that other cities being targeted by Propertymart include some unexplored areas in Ogun State, Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Karu in Nassarawa State.

Besides Grenadines Home Lokogoma, Propertymart has also developed estates such as Grenadines Life Camp, Abuja; Grenadines Magodo GRA; Grenadines Home Arepo; and Mainland Gardens.

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