AFGA 2010 Communique

Academia for Green Africa (AFGA), an initiative founded by Dr. Akanimo Odon and Dr. Sam Guobadia had its first major activity in the form of the first AFGA International Conference organised by the Benson Idahosa University in partnership with Envirofly Consulting UK Limited. The event was a most successful exercise from different perspectives. For the first time, an aggregation of academics came together to discuss the issues of the environment as it relates to Africa as a continent. Its central theme on the role of academic institutions in capacity building was explored by the different discussants and participants of the conference.

There was particular concern in the areas of utilisation of Renewable Energy and the deployment of renewable energy solutions and technology as well as the appropriation and adoption of waste management methods that can address local needs.

The conference noted that not enough is being done in Nigeria to tap into the abundant energy sources derived from wind and solar. Although a few researches have been carried out in African academic institutions, there is a gap between these researches and industry that are responsible for commercializing these researches towards providing sustainable solutions.

Although a few individuals and institutions in Africa are using energy sources in their locality, their availability and accessibility is limited due to prohibitive costs. There is therefore an urgent need for adaptive research in other to make it more affordable. There is also the need for a policy framework to encourage partnerships with international bodies and firms so as to encourage local production. There is no doubt that there is currently the availability of local renewable energy based products but the lack of a national policy framework has frustrated the efforts of African inventors and therefore international investment.

From a waste management perspective, which was the second most paramount topic of discourse at the conference, our urban environments will be greatly improved by the adoption of waste management technologies for the conversion of waste to wealth.

Environmental degradation, there are several environmental problems, including land degradation often by extractive industries, air pollution, water pollution etc. Loss of income, unemployment and insecurities as well as the loss of biodiversity are fundamental issues within the agricultural industry. The presence of mining activities without sustainability concerns is also contributory to this degradation. The conference recommendations include
1. Better environmental protection policy.
2. Effective implementation of already existing legislations.
3. Companies to train and employ indigenes because they feel the direct impact of this degradation.
4. Proper funding of environmental research activities
5. Acquisition of abatement technologies by private firms
6. Enforceable environmental laws
7. Provision of basic infrastructures
8. Environmental saving schemes
9. The analysis of current clean development mechanism projects against stakeholders and international standards. However, clean development project where available in Nigeria have not often been beneficial to the people. They should therefore be strictly vetted to avoid harm.
10. The need for correct information and data analysis.

In the area of bioremediation and waste generation, the petroleum industry is and the major cities are major stakeholders in waste management issues. Therefore the solutions/recommendations include:

1. There is too much waste generation; therefore there is need for a system of reducing waste generation.
2.  The need for education on the issues relating to waste
3. The need for organised waste management institutions in the major cities.
4. On the petroleum side of things, there is need for the encouragement of bioremediation using eco-friendly microbes
5. Encouragement of composting and biogas utilization technologies from wastes
6. Encouraging the utilisation of waste characterisation techniques.

From an environmental contamination and human health perspective, there is need to define what health is. The conference agreed that health in this regards is an individual free from disease. In a country with a population of over 160 million people, with a waste generation potential of 340 grams of waste per person per day, the issue of waste management, therefore becomes vital.

Some factors are responsible for maintaining a healthy individual and from an African perspective, vital areas of concern include:

1. Access to clean and portable water
2. Access to good quality food devoid of contaminants
3. Adequate transportation
4. The need for exercises
5. The need for good air quality
6. Access to good health care
7. Access to proper waste management.
8. Development of researches on the removal of micro-toxins from food.

From the focus groups who discussed on issues relating to legal and governance, it was clear that in most developing African countries, there is the availability of legislations but most of out of date. There is therefore need for a review mechanism. The signing of several treaties and conventions by several African countries has been done without the clear understanding of its implications. The final problem was the lack of political will for the implementation of current legislations. Recommendations included:

1. The need to streamline the functions and responsibilities of environmental inclined agencies to reduce overlaps and confusion with affects delivery.
2. The reviewing of the constitution to bring issues of the environment from an exclusive to a concurrent list. Therefore all issues around environment should be removed from the residual and exclusive list to the concurrent list.
3. In addition to the review of the laws, there is need to remove the clogs that has impeded implementation.

The AFGA Initiative therefore seeks to bridge the gap in these listed areas: renewable energy and waste management, bioremediation; contamination and health; legislation and governance, and encourages partnerships from academic institutions, governmental agencies, national and international corporate bodies to address these environmental issues. The AFGA initiative is strategic in that it seeks to use overseas competence especially academic institutions to bridge the environmental gaps in African Institutions.

AFGA hereby gratefully acknowledges the attendance and generous support received from

1. The Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter G. Orubebe
2. The Honourable Minister of Science and technology, Prof. Mohammed Abubakar K.
3. The Honourable Minister of Environment , Mr. John O. Ode
4. African Independent Television (AIT)
5. National Universities Commission (NUC)
6. Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Universities
7. Benson Idahosa University, Benin City
8. Envirofly Consulting UK Limited

DR. AKANIMO ODON
CO-FOUNDER, AFGA
&
CEO, ENVIROFLY GROUP