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Realistic visions and concepts of
effective program for erosion control sometimes exist, but much needed
implementation most times fails. This program has the key objective of
identifying those projects with the real potential to be of strategic importance
in erosion control in Nigeria.By
providing technical and other forms of support, Environmental Control Program
will seek to overcome the barriers and will help practical erosion control
measures become commonplace in SE Nigeria.
There are a number of questions
that are important for understanding this program sustainability. These
include: Is the program meeting its original goals? Is the program maintaining
or expanding rather than reducing efforts to meet its goals? Does the program
have secure future funding?
Sustainability
There are a number of factors that
will facilitate program sustainability and they include: Program flexibility,
adequate and qualified staff, collaboration within communities and involvement
by the communities, adequate and long-term funding, and the ability to
demonstrate impact. Projects supported must be innovative, sustainable and can
be replicated in other parts of the world. They have to be in a state ready for
implementation and a well-developed implementation strategy must exist.
The sustainability of the impact
also lies in the institutional arrangements which have to be created and
established by the program. These include the signing of social contracts
between key groups of actors, the establishment of a Council of Integration for
participatory decision-making, and the active involvement and networking
between communities, technical schools and institutes, vocational training
centres and universities.
Ensuring a lasting impact of the
program through the documentation and dissemination of information to local
authorities, schools, state governments, community-based organizations and
activist groups should be paramount. This is a definite opportunity over the
next 5 - 10 years. Publications from previous research that is currently paper
based will need to be converted to electronic format. Data conversion can range
from converting paper based information to electronic form, through the
internet.
This information should cover key
aspects of erosion control measures, job creation and revenue generation,
environmental protection and most importantly a hot line for raising alarm on
existing sheet erosion sites before it develops to gully erosion. It should
also provide an up-to-date source of information which can be used for
training, education, policy development and awareness-building.
What happens to the
ecological fund?
The most difficult part of this
piece was figuring out what to do with the ecological fund from the federation
account. The past three decades has shown that no government agency or ministry
can be trusted with public funds and to effectively perform its civic duties
(except NAFDAC). The endemic corruption and corrupt practices in the system is
so critical that any citizen looking up to government for service and discharge
of their civic responsibilities needs a psychiatrist. I however still
believe that the states should develop a working model on how ecological funds
would best benefit the communities, academia, students and help in the
socio-economic development of the states.
This entrepreneurial energy needed
in the next ecological challenge of sustainability, clean energy and
environment is made to be fed by a renowned community of researchers and
technology professionals from the universities and polytechnics. Unfortunately,
South Eastern Universities has the lowest level of per capita spending on
research and development. With a total absence of coordinated research programs
to provide a significant support to entrepreneurs in the major cities of Nnewi,
Awka, Aba, Enugu, Umuahia, Abakaliki, Owerri and across the region. This
research capacity should be the infrastructure on which technology economy is
built.
The state governments must
encourage joint partnership in Research & Development (R&D) to grow and
develop in our states. Using tools such as specialized facilities and matching
research funds, specialized education and workforce program, and strategic recruitment
and marketing, they should make the region synonymous with the erosion control
and by extension industries of the future such as clean energy, biotechnology,
and value added agriculture. These R&D investments should be targeted to
specific areas of growth that have lacked the needed investment that would
establish the sate as champions in regional and national economic development.
The bond proposals and future
commitments made by government in R&D are critical for our overall strategy
of diversifying our economy to accommodate the needs of the 21st century and so
that young people will have more opportunities.
This future will be built on a
solid foundation of energy, water, proper solid waste disposal and management
and transportation resources that the developing businesses in the region must
have to survive. They should safeguard the future by building a solid
developmental foundation for the states and protecting the natural assets and
environment that will make South Eastern Nigeria a great place to live, work,
and raise a family.
Vision
South Eastern Nigeria should become
the center for growth in programs that will proffer control measures to
ecological degradation in Nigeria.
Erosion Control Centres (ECC) - where partnership leads to success - will
strive to find the best materials and construction types to ensure an ecologically
friendly control measures to soil degradation.
Corporate organizations and NGOs
should maximize their competitiveness by creating the most productive social
responsibility program and applying the most advanced technologies and
workforce available towards touching the lives of real people in the region.
The bottom-line talk like sustainable solution should denote the new attitude
towards corporate social responsibility. It will be good if the program in
whatever form it takes develops to meet the needs of the poor. That is the most
sustainable solution. Finally, all of the South Eastern states and communities
directly affected must share in the prosperity that will replace the current
hopelessness in the battle to control erosion menace.
Churchill.okonkwo@gmail.com
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Authors 
Posted by Robot| 03.07.2008 12:27