The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mitigate

  • ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    Fadera Williams is Nigeria’s first landscape architect produced by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and, by extension, in the West African region. A botanist, she also studied at the University of Ibadan, (UI) and Horschule Fur Nurtingen, Germany. Williams, who is President, Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (Southwest Chapter) and an adjunct Lecturer at UNILAG, where she teaches Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, is a Ph.d candidate of the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos. She speaks to MUYIWA LUCAS on Landscape Architecture 

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria is a budding profession in Nigeria. In fact, most of the Landscape Architects  in Nigeria are foreign trained. The role of landscape architects in the building of our nation is not well understood. A lot of people believe landscape architects are gardeners or like some say ‘Landscapers’.  I call landscape architects the “Environmental doctors” of our time. Interestingly, on the international front, a lot is being done to integrate landscape architects into sustainable development goals and there has been a call for the international landscape convention from continent to continent. For this to happen, each country in the continent in question is required to come up with a landscape charter that is region specific and integrate it into a holistic picture. This is because all over the world, the world leaders are beginning to realise that the interpretation of what landscape relationship is to man is the key to solving most of the cross purposes mankind as found himself in with Mother Nature. However, in Nigeria, sadly, we are yet to be thinking in this direction. Hitherto, different built environment professionals such as urban planners, building architects e.t.c have attempted to do the work of landscape architects but thankfully, we as a profession are gradually growing in our great nation and things are beginning to take shape.

     

    Landscaping as a concept

    It is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. In simpler terms.it is the architecture of outdoor spaces. That is an attempt to blend the available building technology with the environment. Of all the species of creation, it seems as though it is only man who builds houses and affects the environment. We build roads and we destroy the river basins; we drill oil and we disrupt the ecosystem of the aquatic organisms. My responsibility as a landscape architect is to create a synchrony with  the environment and the technology in question, (be it a building technology or otherwise) We prepare Environmental impact assessment reports for major constructions, for oil drilling activities, for any activity that would generally affect the environment negatively. We also design private, public outdoor spaces, hotspots of social interaction, health farms, urban agriculture gardens, parks and gardens and so many more.

     

    Benefits to buildings

    It is all aimed at creating harmony and balance with nature. Buildings do not only get beautified by landscape designs, they also have some health benefits. According to the research of my master’s thesis, I discovered that a small estate like Atunrase estate Gbagada was emitting close to 200,000kg of Carbon from domestic source carbon emissions from the use of Kerosene, briquette, cooking gas and petrol only without putting into consideration vehicular influx and outflux of  carbon emissions. Also a total of 3,350 shrubs and a total of 1668 trees are proposed to offset these emissions in the estate. These means that if every home planted a tree and the parcel of land available used for tree planting and the canal scaping was done, the small residential estate could cater for its domestic source emissions. This tells us the potential that residential areas have towards addressing the problem of climate change. Apart from this it has health benefits because inhaling oxygen which is a bye product of plant photosynthesis is actually beneficial to humans. Another benefit of trees and plants generally is the protection they serve as windbreakers for seasons where the wind might have carted away your roof! And trees are the first line of defense against erosion during the time of rains or floods. Greening our homes has become so important it is no longer considered as luxury but rather as Green infrastructure.

     

    Landscape architecture vs climate change

    Landscape architecture has a critical role to play in mitigating and ameliorating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. Let’s take flooding as a typical example. The problem of coastal flooding has been heightened by global warming and as a result, Landscape architecture is positioned to provide the following services; Design for Flood protection, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), River and basin management plans, Room for the River, Multifunctional Levees, Waterfront development and so on. Apart from this, carbon sequestration by vegetation is the way by which carbon is being stored in the body parts of plants such as roots, stem, leaves etc. This way, Carbon which is one of the most lethal greenhouse gases is mopped up and taken away from the atmosphere. Landscape architects are responsible for estimating and drawing up a landscape plan on a local, regional or national scale to address the possibility of introducing urban forestry into the Nigerian landscape.

     

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria

    Well, I would say Nigeria has been gradually embracing this concept. We see how Lagos was transformed by the preceding governors of Lagos state, in the persons of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Also the current Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is working at continuing the building process and hopefully we would get to see him take the greening of the Lagos metropolis to finishing. The truth is such brave acts at greening the Lagos metropolis must be emulated in all 36 states in Nigeria. The era of reactionary leadership where environmental concerns are involved is over! It is time to be proactive and think and plan ahead for the impending climate change impacts. Another way Nigeria can embrace the concept of Landscape architecture combating climate change is to employ the services of landscape architects to prepare a plan of action for the nation taking a bottom up, socio-cultural specific approach towards combating climate change. This we must always have ready so as to be able to tap into and effectively utilize as many funds available to developing countries in the international committee of nations.

     

    Cost implication of landscaping

    Landscaping is not as expensive as a lot of people think it is. If you take a typical building project, what you find is that house owners end up using hardscape for their landscape. Whether they employ the help of a landscape architect or not, they tend to spend on flooring the outdoor landscape and so on. However if you employ the services of a landscape architect, not only would the professional help to design the outdoor spaces but the job can be done at only a fraction higher than what you will spend using individual non-professional artisans. At our own landscape services firm, Hermon Empor limited. We have a vision to stand as a  leading landscape firm committed to innovation, beauty and respect for the environment. At Hermon Empor, our slogan is “Your environment tells me who you are.”  Our pricing is affordable, our job is professional and we always create an environment that makes you happy. A basic landscaping project that entails only the soft scape depends on the area earmarked for greening and it ranges from N150,000 upwards. However when paverblocks or hardscape is concerned, then the expense will include the area of coverage of the hardscape.

    The truth is even if you cannot afford to landscape your whole outdoor space, I think it is very necessary to plant at least a tree or two in your compound. There is a research that says that one fully mature tree can cater for the oxygen needs of a family of four people. There are definitely health benefits in the greenspaces. A study showed that children who had exposure to outdoor green environment displayed more joy and contentment than those cooped up indoors. Also there has been an emergence of what is known as therapeutic gardens. These are gardens which heal the mind and the body. Plants generally are known to bring calmness to an environment and the breath of fresh oxygen they provide does indeed clear the head.

  • ‘How to mitigate pressure of US gas market control’

    Developing Olokola multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas project to attract foreign direct investment (FDI),  increasing investment in the liquefied and petroleum gas (LPG) sub-sector, and fertiliser plants, among others, are some of the ways the Federal Government can galvanise the potential in the domestic gas market and further reduce impact of the  impending dominance of the United States in the global gas market, experts have said.

    The experts, including Dr Adebayo Ayoade of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Prof Adeola Akinnisiju, the former President, International Association of Energy Economics ( IAEE), said the launch of the first cargo exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the international market, last week by the US, and the country’s resolve to produce 84.3 million tons of gas yearly would not have much impact on Nigeria’s LNG market, if the Federal Government can grow  the nation’s domestic gas industry well.

    Ayoade urged the government to focus more on developing the gas potential locally in order to generate more revenues, instead of seeing export of gas, and other initiatives implemented by the US as a threat to Nigeria’s foreign earnings. He said Olokola gas project holds huge potentials, adding that it would earn more revenues for the government when it is well developed.

    Ayoade, a Senior Lecturer in Energy Law, said Nigeria would be under pressure to reduce the price of its gas in the event that more countries buy gas from US. He said: “To avert pressure from the impending US dominance of the oil and gas market, Nigeria has to look for more buyers, while at the same time, develop its domestic gas market. One way of doing this is to develop Olokola oil and gas project to a level that it would attract foreign direct investments into Nigeria.”

    Also, Akinnisiju said US gas supply in the market would outstrip demands in the nearest future, urging the Federal Government to fashion out plans of increasing gas exports for growth. Currently, Nigeria exports 22milliion tons of gas, far below the 84.3 million tons, which US is planning to produce annually.

    He said: “Anywhere there is an increase in supply of a product and the demand is not increasing at the same time, there is going to be a problem. Now that US is planning to increase its gas supply to the market.”

    Akinnisiju said the larger percentage of gas produced by Nigeria is associated in nature, stressing that the country would not find it easy to produce huge quantity of natural gas.

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) is a major contributor to national earnings, and has generated $85 billion (about N17 trillion) from exports since its inception 15 years ago. Therefore, efforts by the Federal Government to develop gas market locally would bring in more money, which is good for the country.

  • How to mitigate effects of climate change, by experts

    How to mitigate effects of climate change, by experts

    Experts have held talks on how to source funds to promote campaigns on climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria. They met last Tuesday during a research seminar organised by Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI), University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    In a lecture titled: Climate finance and associated research opportunities, Mr Olugbolahan Mark-George, a financial adviser and consultant, said the United Nations Framework for Climate Change has earmarked over $30 billion to assist developing countries ease the impact of climate change. He lamented that Nigeria had been unable to access significant fraction of the fund.

    “Nigeria has received no adaptation funding, but has been able to access less funds for climate change mitigation programmes.”

    He blamed the development on initial absence of a national implementing organ in Nigeria, which he said was recently accredited under the Federal Ministry of Environment.

    The financial expert explained that the transformation agenda as pursued by the Federal Government, demanded Nigeria to be a an actor in climate change adaptation and mitigation process, saying that over 50, 000 Nigerians were displaced in 2013 by climate change.

    Mark-George advised participants at the seminar to tailor their researches to solving climate change-related problems to enable them access funds meant for climate change mitigation and adaptation exercises.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Chairman, Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, UNN, Prof Polycarp Chigbu, said although farmers had been facing problems  of climate change for some decades now, the issue was a subject of global  concern.

    Prof Chigbu stressed the determination of the University of Nigeria to be at the forefront of the crusade for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa.

    The Director of Centre for Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, UNN, Prof Anthonia Achike, said ACCAI-UNN was established in 2010 to partner with African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Kenya, to build trans-disciplinary climate change adaptation capacity at the university.

    Prof Achike said the objective of ACCAI-UNN was to  “build human capacity needed to address climate change adaptation that meets Africa’s unique needs through university-based curricular for conventional postgraduate degrees, and undertaking short  training courses for a wide range of professionals from all sectors.”

    She stated that the centre would also incorporate various communities within African region in execution and implementation of its research findings, and also provide bases for adaptation of international best practices in climate change issues and collaboration with similar or related facilities across the world.

    She expressed belief that the symposium would help boost the research skills of staff and post-graduate students in Climate Change Economics Policy and Innovation (CCEPI) in the university.

  • ‘We will mitigate pains on road’

    As work begins on the expansion of Mile 12-Ikorodu road, the Lagos State Government has assured that it would do everything to mitigate the pains of residents throughout the duration of the project.

    It made the promise yesterday at the Wetland communities’ stakeholders forum held at the De-Royal Vintage Hotel, Idera-Owode, a Lagos suburb.

    It was the second stakeholders forum in the series, since the road project began in September.

    The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Dr Dayo Mobereola said the project is to pave way for the expansion of Bus Rapid Transit Services (BRT) to Ikorodu town.

    According to him, the existing four lane road would be expanded to six, with two lanes at the middle dedicated to the BRT buses.

    Mobereola who was represented by LAMATA’s Director Finance, Mr. Iyiola Adegboye said when completed the project will provide quality, accessible and affordable mass transportation system to the people of Ikorodu and others living along the corridor.

    Mobereola said when completed, LAMATA will deploy 265 new buses to haul the over 160,000 projected commuting passengers along the route daily.

    Describing the project as another campaign promise kept by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the LAMATA chief said the road will have among other features; 15 new bus stations, three terminals, bus depot, construction of nine new bridges, additional traffic lane on both sides of the carriageway, and seven pedestrian bridges with which to access the BRT stations.

    Others are; nine pedestrian crossing points, 12 new U-turns, lane markings and street lighting.

    He said: “Commuters will among others enjoy affordable transportation fares and predictable travel time, safe and more secured environment, a more regulated transport system, and a reduction in the number of unregulated transportation operators along the corridor.”

  • Govt ‘ll mitigate impact of floods, says Jonathan

    Govt ‘ll mitigate impact of floods, says Jonathan

    Fellow Nigerians,

    Over the past few weeks, unprecedented floods have ravaged many parts of our country, rendering tens of thousands of fellow Nigerians homeless, and causing massive destruction of property, farmlands, and infrastructure across the country.

    I wish to express our deep commiseration with all those who have lost loved ones; those who have lost their property; as well as all the affected communities and institutions.

    It is sad that this global phenomenon of devastating floods has come to Nigeria at this time.

    I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster.

    I had earlier set up a Presidential Technical Committee to visit all affected areas with a view to properly assessing the impact of the floods. The Committee has since submitted an interim Report.

    The Report, which contained a number of recommendations, was presented to key stakeholders including the leadership of the National Assembly and Governors of the affected States.

    The Technical Committee will continue to go round the country while the Vice President and I will also visit some of the affected communities. When we receive the Committee’s final Report, the Federal Government will further initiate medium and long-term measures to check future flood disasters.

    In the meantime, relevant government agencies have intervened to provide relief to the affected persons in collaboration with the State governments.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has so far spent N1.314 billion to provide immediate relief materials. The Ministry of Works has spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of bye-passes; while the Ministry of Environment has spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.

    In addition to this, the Federal Government has decided on a number of measures to further ameliorate the situation. These include the immediate provision of a total of N17.6 billion in direct financial assistance to the affected States and some Federal Government Agencies responsible for disaster management. The States will receive a total of N13.3 billion while the Federal Agencies will receive N4.3 billion.

    Based on the present assessment, the States have been categorized into four groups: A to D. All Category A States will receive N500 million each; Category B States, N400 million each; Category C States, N300 million each; and Category D States, N250 million each.

    Category A States: Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.

    Category B: Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross-River, Edo, Lagos and Imo.

    Category C: Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers.

    Category D: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa-Ibom, Borno and FCT.

    To further intensify their intervention activities, the following agencies of the Federal Government have also been allocated funds as follows:

    Ministry of Works – N2.6 billion· National Emergency Management Agency

    N1.1 billion· Ministry of Environment – N350 million· National Commission for Refugees – N150m· Technical Committee on Floods Impact Assessment – N100 million

    I have also set up a National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to assist the Federal Government to raise funds to mitigate the pains and ensure the effective post-impact rehabilitation of victims. This Committee will be co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, while Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr. will serve as the Chief Funds Mobiliser.

    The full membership of the Committee will be announced immediately after this broadcast.

    Fellow Nigerians, let me use this opportunity to thank State Governments, members of the National Assembly, private individuals, agencies of government, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and philanthropic groups who individually and collectively have risen to the aid of persons and communities affected by the floods.

    This humanitarian and compassionate spirit that has been on display in the past few weeks reassures us that, at critical moments, Nigerians are able to come together in pursuit of a common purpose.lk

    My Fellow Compatriots, let me once again reassure you that this Administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well being of all Nigerians at all times.

    May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I thank you all.

    •Being text of the President’s broadcast