Paper Number: 1310
Managing geo-environmental information and performance in the extractive sector, in Nigeria: Some empirical results from the field
Abbas A.1, Imam A.2, Mudashir R.O.3
1Head of Conservation, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria, E-mail: abbas.abdulrafiu@gmail.com
2Mathmatics Department, Federal University Lafia, Nigeria, Email: imamakeyede@gmail.com
3Environmental Quality Control Department, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria.
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This paper examines geo-environmental regulation policies at different levels of public management (from exploration to extraction of geo-resources, environmental legislation and policies to minimize landslide, erosion and volcanic hazards).
Scientific models have been proposed to better understand the relevant trends and patterns of soil erosion in the South East of Nigeria, as well as to identify areas susceptible to erosion for targeted mitigation measures.
The effectiveness of environmental policies for extractive industries is assured by (i) the level of information about environmental activities during resources exploration, (ii) the social responsibility of communities and industrial operators and (iii) the achievement of various environmental performance goals in monitoring geo-hazards.
Findings from south-eastern Nigeria by research regressions support a theory that where there are small size resources, operationalization of the scientific results as well as regulations is redundant. This way of thinking causes land degradation and soil erosion.
The behavior of local industrial operators appears to be inconclusive towards sustainable and respectful practices for the benefit of population and the environment. Unfortunately population has a low scientific know-how, and so it has no capability for assuming an active role in asking for new policies in the mining sector.
So, in many cases the local mining sector follows practices of no-compliance to the environmental norms and geoethical principles causing significant contribution to the damage of the environment.
On the other side, the middle scale industries of foreign operators have interest in maintaining good level of environmental quality and taking into consideration impact of their activities on geo-environment. Those operators are collaborative in the implementation phase with institutional organizations such as NESREA (National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency).
Authors hope that the results of their studies will be important to equip environmental agencies and authorities with useful information able to guide effectively erosion control policies and measures in Nigeria.
References:
[1] Obinna C.D. et. al [2013] FIG working week. Abuja.
[2] Wischmeier, W.H., and Smith, D.D. et. Al (1978). Agriculture handbook 537. Washington.