Environment
Reviving Jabi Lake Park For Tourism Development
On one particular date, Mr Clifford Emeka and his family wanted to have a good time in a good, quiet location and they resolved that Jabi Lake Park in Abuja would be an ideal location for such relaxation.
Visualising what the park used to be in the past and some verbal reports about the place, Clifford convinced his family members that they should all go there for a picnic.
So, every member of the family was excited about the excursion and looked forward to the ecstasy of relaxing in the serene park that is located midway between Jabi and Kado neighbourhoods of the FCT.
However, at the entrance to the park, Clifford’s wife asked if her husband really knew the way to the park.
“This is strange; this is a caricature of what we used to have here in those days. What is really the problem?’’ a visibly shaken Clifford mumbled.
“This place is unkempt, the gates have been vandalised and everybody comes in and goes out at will. There is no security, this place is the exact opposite of what it used to be in those days,’’ he added.
But the couple’s amazement only typifies the bewilderment of many recent fun seekers who came to the park for leisure in recent times.
A visit to Jabi Lake Park confirms the unspeakable neglect which the park has suffered, as the pond is visibly polluted, while the lake’s shore is littered with layers of garbage and animal dung.
There is no visible sign of development at the park, while two boats — either used for racing or fishing – are usually seen anchored by the side of the lake. In a nutshell, the park looks disgusting, lonely and dirty.
Observers, however, note that the park is often used for religious gatherings, wedding receptions and theatre groups’ rehearsals, among others.
They, nonetheless, insist that park ought to have been a veritable tourist destination in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that it also has the potential of generating considerable income for the FCT Authority (FCTA), while providing jobs for the youth.
Mr Nduka Kelechi, the Manager of Astoria Travels and Tours Ltd., says that the Jabi Lake Park, if adequately developed, has the potential of competing with some well-known artificial lake parks in other parts of the world.
“The Jabi Lake Park could be developed to a level that it could compete with recognised ecotourism sites such as the one in Goyang city, South Korea, which has a lot of ecotourism attractions such as water, trees and flowers where people can interact with nature,’’ he adds.
Jabi Lake Park, which was inaugurated in 2007 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was specifically designed to boost the tourism potential of the FCT but observers lament that the raison d’être behind the park’s creation would be defeated unless urgent actions are taken to revive the park.
Jabi Lake Park is originally intended to be later upgraded to an international tourist resort with a five-star hotel with 400 rooms, office suites and other facilities to boost tourism.
Mrs Rose Brown, the owner of a flower garden by the park, says that the park, which is now derelict, has suffered years of neglect by the government.
She, therefore, urges that the government and the management of the park to make tangible efforts to revive the park and save it from further dilapidation.
Besides, Brown notes that the park is no longer serene; adding that it no longer has the quiet natural soothing effect it used to have on visitors in the past.
“When the park was in good shape, the environment was inviting, stimulating natural feelings and encouraging robust engagements. These days, however, these are no longer there,’’ she says.
Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kate Udoh, another florist at the park, stresses that the current state of the park is by all means pitiable.
“It is more than five years now since the inauguration of the park. We are not happy about its current condition because we don’t have other recreation spots in Abuja apart from the Millennium Park and the Zoological Garden.
“Initially, the environment was well-kept and parties and picnics were held there but right now, the environment is no more conducive for that,’’ she says.
Expressing similar concern about the state of the park, Mr Dan Ukachukwu, a lawyer, says that he once wrote a letter captioned “Jabi Lake Park has gradually gone from beautiful to the ugly’’ to the editor of a daily newspaper.
Ukachukwu, who particularly bemoans the collapse of the perimeter fence of the park, stresses that it has made the park exposed and insecure.
He recalls that the park is formerly an ideal location for solitary reading, writing and sober reflections, adding that it has now become a place for questionable characters.
“Indeed, Jabi Lake Park has become a ghost of the place, previously visited by the connoisseur, to experience the ecstasy of a splendid sunset on the lake,’’ he says.
However, Mr Abdullateef Olajide, a musician, says that he and his group still use the park for their rehearsals because of its serene atmosphere.
“We have enough space to do all our rehearsals without disturbing anybody; even the cool breeze and fresh air there is inspirational but the place could be better, if well-managed,’’ he says.
Mr Ikechukwu Iyeke, a businessman, who underscores the need for the proper maintenance of Jabi Lake Park, claims that he usually visits the park twice every week to have a good time with his family.
“The park, however, needs a face-lift; weeds have taken over a larger part of the place; due to the lack of proper maintenance, the whole place is now littered with garbage and filth.
“On Saturday mornings, civil servants still come here to jog and have their walkouts in large numbers,’’ he says.
Mr Olatoyinbo Hosea, who resides in the neighbourhood, also complains about the state of Jabi Lake Park, expressing concern about the possible presence of scorpions, snakes and other dangerous reptiles at the park, which is now taken over by weeds.
Mr Ndubuisi Okoye, an engineer, says that he is largely uncomfortable with the state of security at the park.
“The gates have been destroyed, nobody mans the gate; people come in and go out the way they like without any qualm. The park’s lighting facilities have all been vandalised and stolen; you cannot come here at night.
“Jabi park can be as good as any other park in the world; the concept is laudable but the vision is never sustained,’’ Okoye says.
However, that is not to suggest that the government is unmindful of the current state of Jabi Lake Park.
Investigations reveal that as part of government’s efforts to revive the park, the park’s management was ceded to some South African investors in a contract worth 1.5 billion dollars (about N225 billion).
The two-year contract ought to have commenced in October 2008, while the Parks and Recreation Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMAC) was given the mandate to oversee the accelerated greening of the park.
“What then is the effect of the contract on the park?’’ some observers are often tempted to ask.
Mr Ologun Rolands, the Acting Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, FCTA, however, declines to comment on the matter.
He explains that a law suit on the park’s management is before a competent law court, adding, however, that his department still undertakes a skeletal monitoring of the park.
“Commenting on the issue would be sub juidice; it would be tantamount to a contempt of court,’’ he says.
All the same, tourism experts insist that concerted efforts should be made to revive Jabi Lake Park in good time so as to boost tourism in the FCT and provide exceptional recreational services to the residents.
Nwapi and Onuegbu write for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Edith Nwapi and Perpetua Onuegbu
Some residents of Port Harcourt and its environs have reacted to the impending flooding in parts of the country, including Rivers state.
It would be recalled that the federal government last week predicted flooding in some states in the country, including Rivers State.
A cross session of residents who spoke to The Tide on the issue said time has come for residents to be careful about the way they managed their waste, especially at this time of the year.
According to them, people must avoid blocking water channels as well as indiscriminate dumping of waste into water channels.
Speaking with The Tide, an Environmentalist, Elder Blessing Jackson Tiko, called for caution by residents of Port Harcourt and its environs
Tiko who was a former deputy operational officer Phalga Environmental Sanitation Taskforce, said people must be conscious of the way and manner that they manage their waste.
“We know that we have the rain and if you watch it is coming especially this month of July,it would rain and rain and rain
“We have to be very conscious of how we manage our environmental system, the way we throw our waste and how we evacuate it so that every where will be open for water to move freely
“Water doesn’t want blockage, water wants free flow, ’he said
Tiko urged state governments to liaise with the federal government and development agencies to dredge and open up river channels to enable Water move freely.
He particularly called on the Niger Delta Basine Development Authority and the Niger Delta Development Commission to liaise with state governments in the quest to end flooding in the states.
Also speaking, Mrs. Alice. A. Alabo a trader at Mile 3 Port Harcourt, urged the state government to do something on the constant flooding at the Abuja bypass in Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt,
She said the bypass is always flooded at every little rainfalls stressing that something must be done about it.
Alabo also told The Tide Correspondents that the Abuja bypass has no receptacles and called on the management of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency to provide receptacles for the people, to ensure proper waste disposal in the area.
“The government should provide us with receptacles for us to properly place our waste which is causing the flooding in the area.
A shop owner Dickey, Livia Marko lemanted the incessant flooding along the Abuja bypass, adding that the situation is affecting their businesses.
“We have been begging the Rivers State Government and the local government to come to our aid.
“The Ego Line Progressive Union contributes N10,000 every year to make sure that we evacuate the drainage.
“We called the Hausa boys to come and clean from the beginning to the end of the tunnel which leads to the Interwoba
“So immediately after each rainfall within 10 minutes it will dry otherwise we cannot stay in our shop.
“I am begging the government to come to our rescue, even if they want to open the gutter or canal. It will help in preventing the flooding or they should clean the gutters starting from Ikwerre Road to the Interwoba axis”, he said
On his part,Mr. Ajaka Olawa, lamented that the flooding in Timber area by Abuja bypass area is so terrible that no businesses can easily be carried on in the area.
He blamed it on the continuous blockage of drainages
. “I can’t remember the last time the government came to clean the drainage, so when it rains we find it difficult to stay here.
“Some of our shops are wet because of the flooding. And if the rain falls heavily, we pack our goods. If not. they get damaged, and I am expecting this message to reach the government for them to do something about it”
“The people, the government gives the job are not being followed up, that’s why the road is still looking bad,
“The government is trying, but they should put more effort to make sure that the jobs are being carried out.
Also, Mr. Chukuma said, during the flooding along Abuja bypass by Timber, no activities take place.
He said that if rain falls, either little or heavy, none can use the road because the road will be inundated by water. Sometimes it takes two to three days for the water to dry.
According to him, eight years ago, the former governor was here to see things for himself, but nothing happened till he left office.
By: Victoria Gilbert / Ossia Victory
Following the rising impact of toxic waste in the Niger Delta communities in Nigeria, an Ecological Think Tank, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, has urged oil-producing communities in the region to monitor their environment and report incidents of pollution or other environmental hazards in real time to appropriate authorities.
The Project Manager, Communities and Culture, HOMEF, Cadmus Atake gave the advice last Friday during a Community Environmental Monitoring Training for the people of Nembe, Town-Brass in Bayelsa and Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom States respectively which was held in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Atake said though the extractive activities of oil companies have impacted negatively on the communities, the people still have a role to play in protecting the environment by not throwing plastics in the water bodies or engaging in activities inimical to the environment.
He said, “The purpose is to train the people on how they can monitor their environment that has been impacted by extractive activities, for them to observe the changes that occur in their environment and things they see when they go out to fish.”
Atake also harped on the need for documentation and reporting of the identified environmental challenges or pollution, saying that monitoring without reporting would be an effort in futility even as he tasked them with the accuracy, authenticity and originality of data without any mutilation.
He encouraged people to use mobile phones to take real-time photos and videos without editing the images in the case of pollution or oil spills.
His words, “Reporting is an essential aspect of any monitoring activity. It affords the opportunities to track the activity and its impacts. It makes an activity visible and draws attention to it. Also, it helps to identify associated risks and to know the required controls and learning outcomes needed to prevent the reoccurrence of failures of an activity. No monitoring exercise is complete without a report of observations and a point of action.
“You must identify what caused the pollution, state the name of the community and landmark and if possible, use GPS, time and date the pollution was observed.”
One of the participants, OmusuoDieworio from Bayelsa State noted that apart from the activities of the multinationals, the people have contributed to the disappearance of fishes in the rivers by dumping refuse and plastic wastes inside the river which posed a great threat to fishes even as he urged community leaders to promulgate laws prohibiting that and the youth leaders to ensure the enforcement.
“Our people should be sensitized on the hazards of toxic waste. We should put laws that are binding on us. Our fishermen should discipline themselves enough after drinking sachet water eating should not drop the waterproof inside the water. They should also be discouraged from using dynamite and other chemicals for fishing as all these are harmful to both the aquatic animals and human beings that will consume it.” He said.
Speaking on the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, UmoIsua-Ikoh of the Peace Pact Development Foundation, said the provision in the PIA where the community should forfeit its 3% development fund in case of pipeline vandalism criminalizes the community and should be expunged noting that no community will agree to vandalize pipeline but an individual or a criminal.
He said they should go after anyone who vandalises pipelines and not make the entire community bear the brunt of one person.
On his part, Stephen Oduware, the Program Manager at Fossil Politics, called on the communities to network with CSOs, CBOs, doctors, lawyers, media especially those from their communities and other community members who have the community at heart to advocate at all fronts.
“The community people should partner with CSOs, CBOs so that they will be able to advocate from all fronts from the health implication of this pollution from the legal and human right violations as a result of this pollution, land grabbing and then they will be able to get well-researched works from the academics, we believe that with this network they will be able to push for the justice they needed.” He said.
The Delta State Govern-
ment says it is working hard to tackle the issue of climate change in the state.
Special Adviser to the state Governor on Sustainable Development Goals) (SDGs, Lady Diana Eyo _Enoette, said this in an interview with newsmen during the launching of Green City Project in Port Harcourt.
She said the government was doing this by raising awareness on the impact of climate change in the State and also control the indiscriminate dumping of waste across the State.
Eye-Emoette said government has also setup scouts across the State to embark on tree planting campaign in all nooks and crannies of Delta State.
She said time has come for governments across the Niger Delta region to create more awareness on climate change, adding that continuous human activities in the region have made it vulnerable to climate change
Diana described her government as a leading voice on climate change as far as the Niger Delta region is concerned and stressed the need for other governments in the region to follow suit.
She said Green City’s initiatives have become a potent weapon in fighting climate change, stressing that the initiative is coming at the appropriate time.
The special advise said governments across the country should key into the green city’s projects inorder to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, a university teacher, Professor Magnus Onuoha, has called for conscious efforts by governments across Africa to check carbon emissions.
The university teacher also described the green city’s initiatives as a safe avenue for emerging cities in Africa.
Prof Onuoha, who spoke via videophone described the project as innovative, adding that climate change is real and no longer fallacies.
According to him “it is glaringly telling on our faces and the possibility of it going away is not there”.
He said.
By: John Bibor