Hope, Politics and Risk: The Case of Chinese Dam in Nigeria

The rise of Chinese infrastructure investment in Africa has raised a set of questions about whose development agendas are being fulfilled by such projects, where the power lies in these negotiations, and how local communities are impacted by the projects. Current assumptions see China as holding the power in these relations and that its state-backed transnational corporations unilaterally get their way. This paper challenges these simplistic assumptions by examining the case of a ‘failed’ Chinese project - the Zamfara Dam in Northern Nigeria – and in doing so makes a case for the role of African political agency in brokering Chinese engagement. The dam project was initiated in 2008 between the Zamfara State government and the China Geo-Engineering Corporation; funding was supposed to come from the Chinese ExIm Bank. After the initial assessment and community consultations that spanned three years, the project failed to take off. Primary data is used to understand the process of failure and shows that the dam was initiated based on political expediency rather than the actual drive for development. It was brokered between the elites of China, Nigeria and Zamfara state and so failed to gain wider legitimacy and accountability. Also, in the drive to see the project initiated statutory shortcuts were taken. Critically, consultation was not broadbased even among the state government officials and the communities. The initiation of the project did not follow the laid down procedure of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. Given that largely political factors played a significant role in the failure of the project, it is suggested that motivation for and implementation of development projects of this nature should transcend political whims and caprices of politicians and ensuring more transparency and broad consultation

Some Dimensions of Farmers\u27-Pastoralists\u27 Conflicts in the Nigerian Savanna

The savanna ecosystem covers about 48.5% of Nigeria’s land area. It is a national common for intensive cropping and extensive grazing. Fierce competition for land and water resources among the crop farmers and pastoralists is a common feature. This article shares insights from two separate, but linked, studies conducted in the Nigerian savanna on the livelihood and food security of the local peasant farming communities and the vulnerability of the settled Fulani agro-pastoralists’ livelihoods. Household interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were employed among both the farming and agro-pastoralist communities. 191 respondents in 11 local farming communities and 201 households in 40 Fulani sub-communities (pastoral family steads locally referred to as “gaa”) were sampled in Ogun, Oyo, and Kwara States. Evidence from the studies suggests that poor resource governance arrangment is a key factor of farmer-pastoralist conflict. Both the farmers and pastoralists are sufficiently aware of the threat of clashes to human insecurity in the region. Some of the communities are taking steps to build confidence and improve relationships with the agro-pastoralist communities. On the other hand, the Fulanis also have conflict resolution measures and collective actions to reach out to their host farming communities. The role of the government has not been very encourging. More concrete and proactive measures are required to improve resource governance in order to de-escalate the current levels of resource conflicts in the savanna

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

Adoption of Bio-security Measures against Avian-Influenza Outbreaks among Poultry Farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the adoption of selected bio-security measures against avian-influenza (HPAI-A/H5N1) outbreaks among poultry farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. The study revealed that the majority (92.5%) of the respondents were males, with a mean age of 24 years and an average household size of 5 persons. More than half (58.3%) of the poultry farmers have been exposed to one form of formal education or the other, had average farming experience of 13 years while their mean monthly income was N26, 075.00. Also, the majority (91.7%) of the respondents had an average flock size of about 411 birds, were members of a social group (84.2%) and had no extension contact (84.2%). The most prominent sources of awareness on Avian Influenza were; Co-farmers/farmers group (=3.711), followed by Radio programme and marketers of poultry products (M=3.523). Furthermore, the study revealed that there was high level of adoption on biosecurity measures of segregation and traffic control (M=2.820), medium level of adoption for cleaning (M=2.440) and low level of adoption for disinfection of the standard bio-security components (M=1.290). There was a significant relationship between some socio-economic characteristics (age, average monthly income, farming experience and membership of social group) and adoption of bio-security measures of poultry farmers. The highly severe constraints of the poultry farmers were poor extension/veterinary contact, lack of Buffer Areas around the farm site and inadequate access to fund.  Provision of accessible credit facilities, pro-active extension services with continuous training and constant veterinary services for poultry farmers in the study area towards increased capability to prevent and eradicate the negative effect of this acute and highly contagious viral disease on their means of livelihood thus ensuring an improved and sustainable poultry production. Keywords: Adoption of bio-security, avian-influenza, outbreak, poultry farmers

Disaster Incidence and Management in Nigeria

Nigeria is a disaster-prone country where the frequency and intensity of both natural and human induced disasters have increased significantly in recent years. This is because previous disasters and the likelihood of potential ones were not factored into development programmes. Therefore, moves towards sustainable development and poverty reduction initiatives are threatened by disasters triggered by hazards of hydro-meteorological, geological and environmental origins, often amplified by human activities and technology. The vulnerability to hazards in Nigeria is determined by two variables: the vulnerability of the elements at risk contained within them and the hazards of their locations. The current low level of preparedness when juxtaposed with the predicted increase in environmental emergencies due to climate change and urbanization portends danger, because they might become obstacles to development. Using secondary data and in-depth analysis, this paper critically examines the challenge of disaster risk management in Nigeria. The findings reveal that there are technical and managerial flaws in disaster management in the country. A realistic approach to reduce the toll of disasters in Nigeria requires a more comprehensive approach that encompasses both pre-disaster risk reduction and post-disaster recovery. This should be framed by new policies and institutional arrangements that support effective action.RésuméLe Nigeria est un pays enclin aux catastrophes où la fréquence et l’intensité des catastrophes naturelles et humaines ont augmenté considérablement ces dernières années. Ce problème se pose, parce que les catastrophes antérieures ainsi que la possibilité d’autres désastres éventuels n'ont pas été tenus compte dans les programmes du développement. Par conséquent, les efforts envers le développement soutenable ainsi que les initiatives de la réduction de pauvreté sont menacés par ces catastrophes d'origines hydro météorologiques, géologiques et environnementales. Elles sont souvent amplifiées par des activités humaines et la technologie. Les risques que posent ces désastres au Nigeria sont en deux volets: D’abord, les éléments à risque liés au contenu des catastrophes et finalement, ceux qui sont liés à leurs emplacements. Le faible niveau de préparation contre les catastrophes qui arrivent d’une manière spontanée, juxtaposé aux urgences environnementales dû au changement climatique et à l’urbanisation est dangereux pour le pays. Cette réalité s’explique par le fait que ces désastres peuvent constituer des obstacles au développement. Par le biais des données secondaires et d’une analyse profonde, cet article fait une évaluation critique des défis de la gestion des risques liés aux catastrophes au Nigeria. Les conclusions révèlent qu'il y a des défauts techniques liés à la gestion des catastrophes dans le pays. Une approche plus réaliste est nécessaire pour réduire le taux des catastrophes au Nigeria. Cette conception exige des mesures plus complètes qui doivent être constituer d’une mesure pre-réductrice et post récupératrice des risques liés aux catastrophes. Ces mesures devraient être intégrées dans les nouvelles politiques et dans les arrangements institutionnels qui ont pour objectif d’appuyer les efforts envers le développement durable

URBAN VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS: A CASE STUDY OF RAINSTORM VICTIMS IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Nigeria is a disaster prone country. The disasters which often result into environmental emergencies like flooding are worsened by the degradation of the country’s environment and natural resources. Floods, rainstorms and droughts affect households each year in Ilorin and contribute to endemic poverty in most parts of Kwara State. Anticipated increases in extreme weather events will exacerbate this. Using data from both primary and secondary sources the study examines the urban vulnerability and adaptation to climate change among flood and rainstorm victims in Ilorin, Nigeria. The primary data include questionnaire administration to victims in the affected areas of the city. The secondary data on the other hand, include data from the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency on flood victims in the State between 2002 and 2007. This study brings out the important issue of vulnerability, coping and adaptation to weather induced disasters among the urban poor. The study revealed that the indigenous coping mechanisms employed by the poor may become less effective as increasingly fragile livelihood systems struggle to withstand disaster shocks. Also, many of these long-term trends are rendering indigenous coping strategies less effective and thus are increasing the vulnerability of the poor

Understanding Flood Vulnerability in Local Communities of Kogi State, Nigeria, Using an Index-Based Approach

In West Africa, the impacts of flooding are becoming more severe with climate warming. Flood-prone communities in Kogi State in north-central Nigeria are affected by annual flooding and some extreme flood events. The negative impacts remain a major obstacle to development, environmental sustainability, and human security, exacerbating poverty in the region. Reducing and managing the impacts of flooding are increasingly becoming a challenge for individual households. Analysing vulnerability to flooding (a function of exposure, susceptibility, and lack of resilience) and identifying its causes using an index-based approach to achieve sustainable flood risk management were the focus of this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from 400 households in 20 purposively selected communities. Based on expert opinions and an extensive literature review, 16 sets of relevant indicators were developed. These indicators were normalised and aggregated to compute the flood vulnerability index (FVI) for each community. This was then used to compare, classify, and rank communities in terms of their vulnerability to flooding. The results of the study showed that the selected communities were at varying levels of the risk of flooding. Four of the communities including the Onyedega, Ogba Ojubo, Odogwu, and Ichala Edeke communities were found to have very high vulnerability to flooding compared to others. Several factors such as poor building structures, lack of evacuation and flood management measures, over-dependence of households on agriculture, lack of diversification of economic activities, and weak household economic capacity were identified as causes. These findings are useful for developing flood risk reduction and adaptation strategies, such as ecosystem-based approaches, to reduce current and future vulnerability to flooding in Nigeria and other developing countries with similar conditions