03 Jul 2008 |
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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.
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