Concerned by the seeming official lackadaisical attitudes and the ‘I don’t care disposition’ of citizenry over the unpredictable weather condition, caused by the global warming, participants at the 13th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture organised by the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), held in Ikeja, last week, once again expressed more expository views over the subject.
The Guest Lecturer at the event, who is a former Minister of Industry and former President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Oniikepo Akande advised policy makers and concerned stakeholders to tap into the expertise of skilled professionals in Nigeria if the war against climate change and environmental degradation is to achieve the desired results.
Mrs Akande who lucidly expressed her understanding of unpredictability of changes in weather and its concomitant effects on lives and property, including the environment in general, urged Nigerian governments at all levels to borrow a leaf from international communities whose efforts at climate mitigation are relentless.
Akande, who is also the chairman, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Business Group of Nigeria, while chronicling the devastated effects of climate change in Europe, Asia’ including the United States of America (USA), among others, noted that it’s high time for Nigerians from all walks of life to come together and protected the environment.
“While the countries of the world are counting their losses as a result of effects of climate change, some countries are planning to eradicate petrol-propelling vehicles, by introducing electric cars, ostensibly to reduce emissions”, said Akande who counseled on the need to avoid smokes from rickety cars that usually emit smokes, saying they can cause cancer.
Besides, she also traced the situation in the arid region of Nigeria as a potential for drought, while the wet areas, especially, the south are prone to flooding.
“With this situation, it appears we are caught between the devil of hunger and the deep blue sea of flood, the twin evils capable of wreaking havocs on the environment, thereby causing hunger, lost of lives and destruction of property”.
However, she pointed the way out by challenging policy makers to make use of professionals in the fight against climate change.
To her, the most appropriate professionals are the surveyors, who Akande reckoned with to have the knowledge and expertise necessary for adaptation to climate change, saying they are in the position to protect the present and future generations on possible disasters resulting from this change in nature.
“You work with the land, people, political and social institutions in developing, building and maintaining towns and cities. These put you at a very important position to advocate and lead the agenda to protect the present and future victims of climate related disasters”, Akande said.
The LCCI Chairman, while advising policy makers on tackling the challenges of climate change, reiterated that surveyors are the custodian of accurate land information and administration and it is important for decision makers to take consult for accurate and relevant information on land usage and its impact on the environment.
She enjoined the surveyors through their various association to ensure developmental projects comply with best practices and environmental standards, adding that the safety of beneficiaries of these projects following completion should be of interest to the surveyors from the planning stage.
“Surveyors play an important part in the development process. You are well placed with a unique set of tools and knowledge that gives you the professional responsibility to not only focus on your clients as well as the environment. To achieve ecological sustainable environment, you need an in-depth understanding of environmental, social and economic impacts of a proposed development project”, Akande stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Adeshina Adeleke said the institution decided to discuss the issue of Climate Change at the summit because it is aware of the effects on livelihood and the lecture affords an opportunity to brainstorm on the way to curb this natural phenomenon.
The NIS Chairman noted that issue of climate change is global problem and is being discussed world over, stating that the Institution is also taking a lead as stakeholders in the environment and land matters to add its voice on ways to combat climate change.
The annual lecture, the 13th in its edition is organized in honor of the pioneering Past President of the NIS, Late Surveryor Adekunle Kukoyi who was the President of the Institution from 1973 to 1978.