Today’s edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall B, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were two presentations made by the Subject Experts covering Republic of China and South Africa
The first presentation by Col OR Akerele (Rtd) subject expert for South Africa. His presentation focus on power crises anger South Afrians. The South Africa today has a developing economic that draws on its prolific fertile soil for Agricultural production and abundance of mineral resources including coal and platinum. Recently, south Africa economy has face political and economic challenges including persistent energy crises, rising inflation, money laundry activities and xenophobic attacks on foreigners. Specifically, since the beginning of 2023, corruption, mismanagement in government, high level of unemployment, violent crimes, and poor government services delivery has continued to hinder South Africa’s development and national Security.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria Col Akerele pointed out that in Nigeria the lack of reliable power has continued to stifle economic activities and private investments affect job creation which are needed to lift Nigerians out of poverty. He also noted that the use of obsolete equipment, poor maintenance culture, corruption and looting of approve funds in the power sector are major causes of dwindling power supply in Nigeria. Government should monitor the implementation of energy policies and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary especially to saboteurs and criminals who vandalize power equipment.
He recommended that government should immediately replace all obsolete electrical and power equipment and also the PHCN should institute power reforms for multinational companies to set up and operate independent power plants to reduce pressure on the national grid and immediately revise its load shedding plan.
The Second presentation by Maj Gen JA Orokpo (Rtd) subject expert for Republic of China. His presentation discussed China record- breaking torrential rains. At least 10 people have died and 18 are missing after torrential rains battered Hebei province in Northern China. Officials evacuated more than half of its 11. 15 million people by noon on Saturday from areas though to be at high risk of landslides and floods. China has experienced various floods events over the years, with some of the most severe ones occurring during the summer rainy season. Flooding is a recurring natural disaster in China and mainly due to its diverse topography and climate changes. The Chinese government has invested heavily in building infrastructure to manage floods. Projects such as dams, levees and rivers management system are constructed to mitigate the impact of flooding.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Gen Orokpo (Rtd) noted that the 2022 Nigeria floods affected many parts of the country. From the FGN data, the floods has displaced over 1.4 million people, killed over 603 people, and injured more than 2,400 persons. About 82,035 houses has been damaged, and 332,327 hectares of land had also been affected. The then minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and social Development. Sadiya Umar Farouq said that, “there was enough warming and information about the 2022 floods”. She blamed local governments, states and communities for not acting promptly despite the warnings. The national Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had warned that a total of 178 local government areas in 32 states and the FCT would be at the risk of high floods.
He recommended that Nigeria should invest in the development and maintenance of effective drainage systems within communities prone to flooding and also educate communities about flood risks and evacuation plans and drills.
