Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects |
Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |Nigeria
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- Poverty
- Demographics
- Health
- Education
- Human Settlements
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
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Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
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Decision-Making:
Strategies, Policies and Plans
The thrust of current Nigerian
Government policy against poverty is to enable the poor and more vulnerable
sections of society to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The approach is to
economically empower communities, families, and individuals through a
sustained, well coordinated, and comprehensive programme of poverty
alleviation. On-going Government activities related to poverty have been
regularly featured in the National Rolling Plan beginning with the 1990-1992
Plan. They include programmes such as: economic programmes for the empowerment
of women; Primary Health Care (PHC) programme, whose purpose is to bring health
care, particularly preventive health care to the grass roots of the Nigerian
Society; establishment of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in all
States of the Federation; establishment of the People's Bank, aimed at
extending small credits to people in the informal sector of the economy with
the aim of strengthening informal economic activities, cities, and towns and
villages; establishment of the National Economic Recovery Fund (NERFUND) which
provides easy access to credit by small and medium scale enterprises;
establishment of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), a self
employment promotion programme which has largely promoted waste to wealth
employment activities; education of itinerant communities such as the Fulani
normals, Ijaws, etc; establishment of the River Basin Development Authorities and
provision of rural access roads; and establishment of the National Agricultural
Land Development Authority (NALDA) aimed at promoting integrated rural
development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and
Projects
Accordingly the Government's policy,
the National Planing Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) is articulating a Community Action Programme for
Poverty Alleviation (CAPPA). The detailed strategies, activities, and targets
of the CAPPA are still being worked out. In broad terms, however, it will among
other things streamline on-going activities by Government and Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs).
There are also specific
environmental improvement programmes that have been integrated with poverty
alleviation programmes. Examples include: the Sokoto Desertification Control
Programme, and integrated environmental protection programme jointly funded by
the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the European Economic Community
(EEC); the Katsina Arid Zone Development Programme, and the North East Arid
Zone Development Programme, an integrated programme funded by FGN/EEC; and
upgrading and mechanization of traditional methods of processing Nigeria's food
resources, a project promoted by the Federal Ministry of Science and
Technology.
Besides, the Family Economic
Advancement Programme (FEAP), the Ministry has designed and produced the
following equipment/plants, among others, for nationwide demonstration and adaptation:
groundnut processing technology consisting of a groundnut sheller, a dehuller,
and roaster; a hydraulic machine for the production of bricks from local
materials; a tiles-production machine for producing roofing tiles from local
fibre, cement, and sand; a lime kiln for the production of lime for leather
processing and school chalk manufacture; soap making process for cottage/small
scale production of both traditional and modern production of soap; mushroom
production technology; fat liquor production, a developed process for fat
liquor, an essential product required in the leather tanning industry; a
pottery/ceramic machine, designed and fabricated for the production of pottery
and ceramic wares from local clays; an essential oils distillation plant for
the production of essential oils from local plants such as eucalyptus and lemon
grass (essential oils are inputs in the food, confectionary, and pharmaceutical
industries); and briquetting technology for sawdust and agricultural wastes
suitable for production of alternate sources to fuel and wood.
Status
There is an inextricable link between poverty and environmental degradation. Poverty can be the cause and/or the effect of environmental degradation. Poverty itself is a complex multidimensional problem with origins in both the National and international domains. While managing resources sustainable, an environmental policy that focuses mainly on the conservation and protection of resources must take due account of those who depend on the resources for their livelihoods, otherwise it could have an adverse impact both on poverty alleviation and on chances for long-term success in resource and environmental conservation. Equally, a development policy that focuses mainly on increasing the production of goods without addressing the sustainability of the resource base will sooner or later run into declining productivity, thereby aggravating poverty. A specific anti-poverty strategy is, therefore, one of the basic conditions for ensuring sustainable development. The long-term objective of enabling all people to achieve sustainable livelihoods should provide an integrating factor that allows policies to address issues of development, sustainable resource management, and poverty eradication simultaneously.
There is an inextricable link between poverty and environmental degradation. Poverty can be the cause and/or the effect of environmental degradation. Poverty itself is a complex multidimensional problem with origins in both the National and international domains. While managing resources sustainable, an environmental policy that focuses mainly on the conservation and protection of resources must take due account of those who depend on the resources for their livelihoods, otherwise it could have an adverse impact both on poverty alleviation and on chances for long-term success in resource and environmental conservation. Equally, a development policy that focuses mainly on increasing the production of goods without addressing the sustainability of the resource base will sooner or later run into declining productivity, thereby aggravating poverty. A specific anti-poverty strategy is, therefore, one of the basic conditions for ensuring sustainable development. The long-term objective of enabling all people to achieve sustainable livelihoods should provide an integrating factor that allows policies to address issues of development, sustainable resource management, and poverty eradication simultaneously.
Challenges
An appropriate poverty strategy should: a) provide all persons with the opportunity to earn a sustainable livelihood; b) implement policies and strategies that promote adequate and sustainable levels of funding, and focus on integrated human development policies, including income generation, increased local control of resources, local institution strengthening and capacity-building, and greater involvement of non-governmental organizations and local levels of government as delivery mechanisms; c) develop all poverty-stricken areas through integrated strategies and programmes of sound and sustainable management of the environment, resource mobilization, poverty eradication and alleviation, employment and income generation; d) create a focus in National development plans and budgets on investment in human capital, with special policies and programmes directed at rural areas, the urban poor, women, and children; e) establish appropriate infrastructure and support system to facilitate the alleviation of poverty by implementing projects, programmes, enterprises, and life styles sustainable at the grass roots level.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
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Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information was provided by the
Government of Nigeria to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development. Last Update: 1 April 2014.
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
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Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
Health related environmental
problems in Nigeria vary with the social and economic development achieved by
different States, and even different towns and villages within individual
states. They are linked to poverty, absence of adequate water supplies, lack of
sanitation services, and poor housing conditions. With increasing
industrialization, the risk of respiratory illness and cancer-related deaths
also rises. Extensive and rapid development in all industrial and many
agricultural sectors have sharply increased the exposure of industrial workers
and large segments of the population to these risks. The major public health
problems associated with poor environmental sanitation, exposure to
communicable diseases, and poor personal hygiene predominate and are often
compounded by malnutrition which reduces resistance to diseases especially
among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and
the aged. Malaria, cholera, schistosomiasis, diarrhoea, and other diseases
transmitted by mosquitoes and other vectors such as filariasis and parasitic
infestations like guinea worm and onchocerciasis are still mayor public health
problems. Many other diseases such as tetanus, whooping cough, and tuberculosis
are becoming more prevalent in urban areas as a direct result of overcrowding
and poor sanitary conditions. Other public health problems are associated with
exposure to hazardous chemicals and heavy metals.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and
Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
Decision-Making:
Coordinating Bodies
The future strategy and plans of the
Nigerian Government for creating and improving capacity for sustainable
development are to: a) develop a blueprint for environmental education and
public awareness by 1998; b) ensure that environmental education is a core
ingredient of the educational system at the primary, secondary and tertiary
levels of education by 1999; c) make environment and development education
available to people of all ages; involve school children in local studies on
environmental health, including safe drinking water, sanitation, food and the
environmental and economic impacts of resource use; d) encourage all sectors of
society, including industries, universities, governments, non-governmental
organizations, and community organizations to train people in environmental
management; e) work with the media, theatre groups, entertainment and
advertising industries to promote a more active public debate on the
environment; f) train decision-makers on the basic tenets of environment and
sustainable programmes for different strata of the environment on a continuing
basis; g) develop and implement tailor-made environmental education and
awareness programmes for different strata of the environment on a continuing
basis; and h) institutionalize environmental responsibility through regular
competitions and awards such as cleanest village in each local government,
cleanest local government in each State and cleanest State in the Federation,
as well as the most environmentally-friendly industries on a sectoral basis.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and
Projects
The Nigerian Government, through the
Federal Environment Protection Agency (FEPA) and other relevant agencies, has
undertaken programmes to enlighten, educate, and raise awareness of the
Nigerian populace through media (both print and electronic) campaigns on
environmental issues. Identification, education, and training of officials that
would form the core of the Environmental Education Network nationwide are being
undertaken. In addition, the FEPA has encouraged the establishment of
Environmental Conservation Clubs in Secondary Schools. It has also collaborated
with the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Educational
Research and Development Council (NERDC) on the development of an Environmental
Educational Masterplan and Curricula for both the formal and informal
educational system in Nigeria.
In 1993, the UNDP offered to support
the National Programme on Environmental and Natural Resources Management for
Nigeria. The support focused essentially on capacity building in all programme
areas identified. This is to enable the environmental agencies of the
Government of Nigeria at both Federal and State level, NGOs, and local
communities design, formulate, manage, implement, and sustain their own
environmental protection programmes. Specifically, the four target objectives
of the programme include strengthening National capacity for the formulation of
environmental policies, legislation, and enforcement; increased awareness and
conservation of the environment; preparing the National Agenda 21 and an action
plan for its implementation; training of staff of FEPA, State Environmental
Protection Agencies, and other National bodies to enable them to carry out
their work programmes on a self-sustaining basis.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
The ability to develop more
sustainably depends on the capacity of Nigerian citizens and institutions to
understand the complex environment and development issues so that they can make
the right development choices. Citizens need to have the expertise to
understand the potential and the limits of the environment. This will require
scientific, technological, organizational, institutional, and other skills.
There is also the need to increase the sensitivity of the Nigerian populace to,
and involvement in, finding solutions for environmental and ethical awareness,
values and attitudes, skills and behaviour needed for sustainable development.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Apart from the publications
mentiones under 'Information', FEPA has always engaged in social activities
aimed at raising the level of public environmental awareness. For instance, the
Agency has consistently joined the world in the commemoration of World
Environment Day (WED) during which the attention of the public, children and
youths are drawn to the importance of a safe and sound environment.
Staff members of State Environmental
Protection Agencies have started to benefit from overseas training programmes
under the Technical Assistance Training Programme and the World Bank Assisted
Environmental Management Project for Nigeria. Training of staff from other line
ministries and the private sector in specialized areas such as environmental
law and EIA is already in progress. Presently, an Environmental Enforcement
Training Centre (EETC) is being established in FEPA to train environmental
officers at federal and state levels, and those in the private sector.
Information
For the purpose of further educating the Nigerian society as to the benefits of frugal use of the environment for sustainable development, FEPA has produced a number of publications on key environmental issues in Nigeria. Some of these publications include: a) The making of the Nigerian Environment Policy, FEPA Monograph l: 1992; b)Industrial Pollution Abatement in Nigeria, FEPA Monograph 2: 1993; c) Environmental Consciousness for National Development, FEPA Monograph 3: 1993; d) Industry and Ozone Layer Protection in Nigeria, FEPA Monograph 4; e) The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Corporate Profile; and f) The Green Book.
For the purpose of further educating the Nigerian society as to the benefits of frugal use of the environment for sustainable development, FEPA has produced a number of publications on key environmental issues in Nigeria. Some of these publications include: a) The making of the Nigerian Environment Policy, FEPA Monograph l: 1992; b)Industrial Pollution Abatement in Nigeria, FEPA Monograph 2: 1993; c) Environmental Consciousness for National Development, FEPA Monograph 3: 1993; d) Industry and Ozone Layer Protection in Nigeria, FEPA Monograph 4; e) The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Corporate Profile; and f) The Green Book.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
In the area of training, the Government has cooperated with international organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial development Organization (UNIDO) on capacity building and institutional strengthening. This is to ensure manpower development for environmental protection and natural resources conservation. The World Bank Assisted Environmental Management Project (EMP) for Nigeria has assisted the country in its efforts toward human development. Officers from both Federal and State Environmental Protection Agencies have benefitted from some training programmes in environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management, environmental education and awareness, and media education.
In the area of training, the Government has cooperated with international organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial development Organization (UNIDO) on capacity building and institutional strengthening. This is to ensure manpower development for environmental protection and natural resources conservation. The World Bank Assisted Environmental Management Project (EMP) for Nigeria has assisted the country in its efforts toward human development. Officers from both Federal and State Environmental Protection Agencies have benefitted from some training programmes in environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management, environmental education and awareness, and media education.
Decision-Making:
Coordinating Bodies
The activities of the Nigerian
Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing are highlighted
under the relevant programme areas: providing adequate shelter for all;
improving human settlement management; promoting sustainable land use planning
and management; promoting the integrated provision of environmental
infrastructure such as water, sanitation, drainage and solid waste management;
promoting human settlement planning and management in disaster prone areas;
promoting sustainable construction industry activities; and promoting human
resource development and capacity building for human settlement development.
The Government's decision to
implement these programmes was based on the resolution adopted at the First
United Nations Conference on Human Settlement (Habitat) held in Vancouver,
Canada in 1976. The achievements in the Human Settlement Sector are outlined
below:
Decision-Making:
Legislation and Regulations
Efforts have been made to provide
land requirements for human settlement development through sustainable physical
planning and land use. A major action in this direction is the on-going review
of the 1978 Land Use Act. The review is geared towards making land resources
more readily accessible for sustainable human settlement development. A new
statute will be put in place after the review. The Nigerian Urban and Regional
Planning Law was promulgated in 1992 to regulate and guide spatial planning at
all levels of government. The Federal statute has been adopted and is being
implemented nationwide as a model for other levels of government. The Federal
Land Registry, which is to be computerized, has been established to facilitate
the registration of all titles to Federal Government land throughout the
country.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The National Housing Policy was
formulated and launched in 1991. The document outlines policies and strategies
to provide decent housing for all by the year 2000 or in the shortest possible
time. A fall-out of the policy is the establishment of the Housing Policy
Council to monitor activities in the housing sector and evaluate policy impact
on the sector. The council regularly collects data and publishes information on
the state of the housing sector. Nigeria has witnessed a rapid rate of
urbanization in the last two decades. It is estimated that over 40% of the
Nigerian population now live in urban areas. The rapid rate of urbanization has
brought with it some significant problems including a shortage of housing,
overcrowding, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, inadequate
infrastructure and services, etc. In recognition of these problems, the
National Rolling Plans since 1990 have factored in National Housing Policy
instruments for implementing the National Housing Programme. Furthermore, the
National Housing Fund and an Infrastructural Development Fund have been put in
place to facilitate the attainment of the goals of sustainable human settlement
in the country. Several policies have been adopted by government to improve
Urban Management. The National Urban Development Policy was formulated in 1992
to provide guidelines for urban development and management. An Urban
Development Bank and an enabling law for the establishment of physical planning
units at all levels of government have been achieved under the policy. To enable
the construction sector to meet human settlement development goals while
avoiding harmful side effects on human health, the Federal Government of
Nigeria has established and commenced the enforcement of National Building
Codes and Standards. In addition, a National Construction Policy was
promulgated in 1994 to ensure and enhance the following: the use of indigenous
building materials and industries; adoption of standards and regulatory
measures for increased use of energy-efficient designs; and use of labour
intensive construction and maintenance technologies for the generation of
employment. All the problems mentiones under 'Challenges' need to be redressed
to improve the well being of the people. The strategy for this is to: a) adopt
an integrated approach to the provision of water, electricity, sanitation,
drainage, and solid waste management; b) ensure appropriate implementation and
monitoring of master plans for major towns where they exist, and preparation
and implementation of new ones where they are non-existent or out of date; c)
raise awareness on environmental issues needed for sustainable human
settlements; d) commence and ensure the implementation of the National plan of
action for sustainable human settlement development in Nigeria; e) improve
rural economies through the development of cottage and agro-allied industries
to create job opportunities for rural dwellers, and thereby stem the tide of
rural-urban migration; f) provide not less than 75% of rural communities with
social amenities to stimulate and sustain self-reliant development to curb
rural-urban migration; g) strengthen institutions with a view to make them more
responsive and accountable; ensure effective implementation and enforcement of
all existing relevant sectoral laws, standards, and regulations that make for
sustainable human settlements; h) encourage private sector and community
participation in urban renewal activities, housing, and infrastructural
provision; i) develop and implement guidelines and put in place appropriate
institutional arrangements for effective land resources management; j)
establish a National Human Settlement Data Bank (SHSDB) to provide baseline
information that can be used to better plan for sustainable human settlements;
k) renew all existing slum areas and prevent conditions that may lead to the
development of new ones; l) promote the development of parks and gardens, and
ensure retention of adequate natural green areas within human settlements to
maintain ecological balance and amenity; m) promote efficient and affordable
transportation within urban and rural areas; n) promote easy access to land,
especially for low income families; and o) improve the revenue base for human
settlement management.
The strategy to strengthen the
emergency preparedness to reduce peoples' vulnerability and cushion the impact
of disasters on settlements, the economy, and the environment is to: a) prepare
comprehensive hazard maps and vulnerability analysis for the country through
compiling historical data of disaster occurrence, analysis of meteorological,
seismological, agricultural, and environmental records, and employing satellite
imagery and geographic information systems (GIS) to prepare the hazard maps; b)
establish very effective early warning systems for meteorological, geological,
biological, social, and industrial hazards by enhancing meteorological services,
effectively monitoring pests and disease epidemics, resuscitation of
seismographic stations and the existing seismological centres, development of
reliable biological indicators, and building a viable network for early warning
information dissemination; c) develop and maintain prompt emergency response
mechanisms and contingency plans by making an inventory of all existing
resources for emergency response for easy marshaling at times of disasters,
establishing a body to coordinate emergency response to reduce duplication of
efforts and enhance accountability, and formulating a National emergency policy
and an emergency plan; and d) mount a sustained public awareness and education
programme hazard preparedness by engaging military and para military forces as
well as voluntary organizations in drills on emergency response including
search and rescue, and preparing and integrating emergency preparedness into
school curriculum.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and
Projects
The Federal Government, through the
Federal Housing Authority (FHA) started the National Housing Programme in 1994.
The objective is to produce 121,000 housing units for low, medium, and high
income earners. So far only about 5% of the target has been achieved. Further
efforts on direct construction of houses continue to be made through the
National Prototype Housing Programme aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of
constructing functional, cost effective and affordable housing units. So far
600 housing units in various stages of completion are being constructed in
Lagos, Kaduna, Port-Harcourt, Jos, Kano, and Lafia. The National Housing Fund
was established in 1992 to solve the problem of finance for housing
development. All workers (both public and private sector) earning N3,000 and
above per annum contribute 2.5% of their income to the fund. The funds are
disbursed as mortgage loans through primary mortgage institutions to the
subscribers to the fund.
The Urban renewal programme is
directed at improving existing neighbourhoods in core areas. It has been
implemented in 18 cities across the nation. A total of about N20 million had
been spent on the programme since 1992. The Federal Government has provided
through the National Sites and Services Programme over 15,000 plots at
subsidized rate to the public. Over N250 million have been committed to the
programme over the last six years.
Further to the achievement of the
goal of improving urban management, the country is participating in the
Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP) under the urban management programme (UMP)
of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlement (UNCHS)/World Bank/United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Under the programme, the Sustainable
Ibadan Project (SIP) is being implemented. Through the initiative, local
governments, NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and private
individuals are encouraged to participate and contribute to urban improvement
and management. The process of replicating the sustainable city programme has
already begun. Two other cities, Kano and Enugu have commenced their projects.
The sustainable Kano Project has already prepared the Kano environment profile
study forming the basis for consultative actions on the management of Metropolitan
Kano. The SCP emphasizes the two-way relationship between development and
environment which promotes better awareness and understanding of the priority
issues to be addressed in urban environment and development, better
understanding of modern urban and environmental management approaches, and the
most effective and lasting impact.
In addition to efforts of the
Government toward the achievement of the objectives of programmes under the
Infrastructure Development Fund Programme, the Urban Basic Services Programme
(UBS) is being undertaken in the country to promote the integrated provision of
environmental infrastructure, water, sanitation, drainage, and solid waste
management. The project involves the identification of core areas in some
Nigerian cities and the packaging of improvement programmes targeted at women
and children.
Nigeria's efforts towards
sustainable development since 1986 are marked by policy formulation and the
establishment of agencies for implementation. One of such efforts is the establishment
of the Family Support Programme (FSP) initiated by the First Lady of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha. The FSP
recognizes that one of the most important needs for the survival of any family
and healthy family living is the provision of decent and affordable housing, as
most low income families in cities do not own houses because they cannot afford
them. The FSP also recognizes that women are handicapped in their access to
land and property. This seriously affects their role since they need a secure
place to live to carry out their subsistence farming and generate income.
Widows and single women are worse off as they are denied rights to inheritance
of landed property. In this regard, the FSP sets out, among others, the
following objectives to ensure adequate housing for the less privileged in the
society: the on-going Federal Housing Schemes should make provision for all
government workers in Nigeria so that on retirement their families will have a
place to live; the peculiarities of the disabled in our society should be taken
into consideration when designing public buildings and houses for their
occupation; and women be encouraged to form neighbourhood-based associations
which can serve as link agencies for partnerships on any voluntary scheme in
housing finance. In all the States of the federation, including the Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja, the FSP has encouraged women to embark on subsistence
and large scale farming of crops, vegetables, and livestock. The FSP has
procured and distributed agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, farm
implements, and improved seedlings to women farmers.
Other facilities for survival
provided by the FSP at the State level include: rehabilitation centres;
widowhood centres; homes for the handicapped/disabled, abandoned, and
motherless children; psychiatric asylums; resettlement homes for the aged,
disabled, and destitute; leprosy patient homes; fish farms; youth amusement and
recreational centres, and parks; medical and health centres; multipurpose
development centres for women and children; rural water schemes and deep well
pumps; low cost housing schemes; and agro- processing and packaging centres.
As a measure towards mitigating the
negative impact of natural and manmade disasters, the Federal Government has
adopted a pre-disaster approach to action. In this regard, the replenishment
and reclamation of beaches in high wave areas is being undertaken.
Specifically, the Federal Government has so far spent N200 million on the
replenishment of the sand along the Victoria Beach in Lagos. A proposal for a
permanent solution to beach erosion through the construction of breakwaters has
been accepted by the Federal Government. A total of N4 billion is being sought
for the project. Coastal erosion control measures have been executed in many
locations along the coast line of the Bight of Benin, and in the eastern part
of the country where gully erosion is prevalent.
The Nigerian Government has over the
years invested in raw material resource development through activities of the
Nigerian Building Materials and Road Research Institute (NBRRI). As a result,
several local building material options have been developed which reduce
construction cost considerably. Sources of funds for this research include
government subventions and corporate donations.
The Nigerian Government is currently
working at developing future programmes aimed at improving the human settlement
development and management sector. These include: poverty alleviation programmes
in collaboration with the World Bank and UNDP; a programme support document for
Governance in collaboration with UNDP; a National strategy for the replication
of the Sustainable City Programme in other Nigerian cities; and replication of
the UBS Programme in collaboration with UNICEF. The Government intends to
concentrate efforts in the near future on the following areas: capacity
building for improved management; institutional and policy reforms; social
reorientation; increased participation of NGOs and the private sector; and
promotion of appropriate technologies.
These future plans have the
objective of achieving a state of environmentally sound human settlements free
of slum conditions in which all have access to adequate and affordable shelter,
and efficient infrastructure and services which will foster sustainable
economic growth, and an improved standard of living and well-being for all
Nigerians.
Status
Over the years, Nigeria has been experiencing a rapid rate of urbanization. In 1952, 10% of the population lived in urban centres with population of 20,000 people and above. This increased to 20% and 38% in 1970 and 1993 respectively. By the year 2010, 60% of the population will live in cities. On the growth in size of cities, the rate has been equally rapid. In 1960, Lagos and Ibadan were the only two cities with more than 500,000 people. The number of such cities increased to 9 by 1980. In 1990, about 14 cities had a population of over one million. This is expected to rise to 18 by the year 2000.
Over the years, Nigeria has been experiencing a rapid rate of urbanization. In 1952, 10% of the population lived in urban centres with population of 20,000 people and above. This increased to 20% and 38% in 1970 and 1993 respectively. By the year 2010, 60% of the population will live in cities. On the growth in size of cities, the rate has been equally rapid. In 1960, Lagos and Ibadan were the only two cities with more than 500,000 people. The number of such cities increased to 9 by 1980. In 1990, about 14 cities had a population of over one million. This is expected to rise to 18 by the year 2000.
Challenges
The problems and challenges posed by rapid urbanization in the country are immense. Among these are inadequate shelter resulting in over crowding, inadequate and inefficient transportation systems, poor infrastructure facilities and services, development of slum areas in cities such as Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Port Harcourt, and generally poor environmental conditions. In the Government's various efforts at attaining sustainable human settlement development, several constraints to planning and implementation of physical development have been experienced. These constraints include: rapid rate of urbanization; declining socioeconomic standards; fund limitations; human resource deficiencies; fluctuating political will; unintegrated policy focus; dearth of base maps; inadequate database for planning and monitoring; and insufficient foreign technical assistance.
Future planning for emergency
preparedness and management aims to mitigate promptly the negative impacts of
natural and man-made disasters on human settlements, the National economy, and
the environment. Nigeria has had a number of emergency situations arising from
natural and man-made disasters. The natural phenomena include tropical storms,
land erosion, windstorms, floods, drought, desertification, human diseases,
coastal erosion, livestock diseases, crop pests and diseases, wildfire,
harmattan haze, and landslides. Other potential hazards include earthquakes and
volcanoes. The major man-made hazards include civil strife; road, water and air
traffic accidents; and technological episodes such as oil spills, hazardous
wastes dumping, and industrial accidents. All of these hazards call for urgent
action to strengthening the emergency preparedness to reduce peoples'
vulnerability and cushion the impact of disasters on settlements, the economy,
and the environment.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and
Technologies
To address the goal of strengthening
urban data systems, a National Index of Building Starts (NIBS) was established
in 1994 to collect data on building starts and other housing indicators. The
project is being undertaken by the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic
Research (NISER) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and
Housing. Regional Workshops have been held on the use and implementation of
NIBS.
Financing
The Urban Basic Services Programme (UBS) is being financed with a $3 million grant from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with matching grants from the Federal Government. Target communities to benefit from the programme have been identified in the cities of Lagos and Ibadan. Through financial assistance from the World Bank (US$ 180 million), the Infrastructure Development Fund has financed urban development projects in 15 States of the Federation. The loan from the World Bank was matched with local funds (25%). The projects cover storm drainage, sanitation, urban roads rehabilitation, water and solid waste management, market development, water rehabilitation, motor part development, river training/ channelization, and street lighting.
Cooperation
Under the various programmes for the promotion of human resource development, the Government in collaboration with such agencies as the World Bank, UNDP, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNICEF, and UNCHS have sponsored foreign and local training programmes to acquaint operators of this sector with contemporary ideas, strategies, and tools for human resources development.
Technical assistance for human
resource development has been received to contribute to enhancing the
management capacity of agencies responsible for urban development. Under the
World Bank Infrastructure Development Fund Programme, Officers of State and
Federal agencies have been trained in various aspect of urban management and
computer literacy. Supply and installation of computer hardware and software
have also been sponsored. Other international agencies that have offered
training assistance include the UNDP, UNEP, UNCHS, and UNICEF.