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ABGREMO IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS (2004-2009)
ABGREMO in the next 5 years intends to strive more harder and effectively in regards to level of impact on environment and the well-being of the coastal communities people. Our focus will be to work closely and in partnership with community people to reduce poverty and increase access to basic human rights inline with the millennium development goal. As well as sustainable development. It is our commitment to respond to the various challenges of poverty at the grassroots/ rural communities arising from environmental degradation and basic human rights abuses.
Again in view of the present ICJ judgment over Bakassi peninsula, it is our zeal to sensitize the relevant stakeholders in campaigning for Self-determination as another step in following up the International Court of Justice(ICJ) judgment, which failed to recognized the rights of the indigenous people, the aim of the advocacy is to avoid violence conflict but to promote the Peoples’ Rights as enshrined in the United Nations instrument (Rights to Self-Determination). Within this projected period many potential donors and International NGOs will be reach out to.
These will be achieved through the following strategic framework/themes;
Sustainable Mangrove Management(SMM)
Youth Leadership
Human Rights Education
Gender/HIV/AIDS mainstreaming.
Micro-Credit Scheme
Good Governance and Conflict Management
Establishment Community Mangrove Resource Centre
Computer Literacy Project
Establishment of Non-Timber Forest Products Nursery
Sustainable/Renewable Energy Project
Skill Acquisition Programmes for Women/Youths
Research into Economic Importance of Mangrove Resources
Establishment of Information Communication Technology Centre.
AN OVERVIEW OF AKPABUYO & BAKASSI LOCAL AREAS
Akpabuyo and Bakassi are local government areas in Cross River State of Nigeria located along the coast of Atlantic (south of Nigeria) it is also an integral part of Niger-Delta. Bakassi was carved out from the present Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State (Nigeria) in 1996 by the Late General Abacha regime. Bakassi is a combination of patches of creeks and Islands standing out on the Atlantic Ocean, parts of which belong to the Republic of Cameroon. Bakassi is bounded at the North and East by the Republic of Cameroon and by the south territorial water of Akwa Ibom State about 1000 meters from the nearest Island and by the west by adjourning tributaries of Akpabuyo and Calabar South Local Government Areas both in Cross River State. Presently both Akpabuyo and Bakassi are politically divided into 10 wards each. The population of the total islands and interlards are about 150,000 and the people are predominantly fishermen/women, farmers, petty traders and canoe coverers. The ethic identify are Efik and Efut and about half of the inhabitants are non-indigenes. Most significantly these area as the last mangrove forest in Niger-Delta (Nigeria) that is less disturbed by oil development activities. Also the natural resources found here include; crude oil (petroleum), forest, local salt, varieties of fauna and flora including the endangered wildlife species. The educational standard/level of the people is very low, couple with the few schools, which forces the pupils to walk long distance for school. The Canoe is an important transportation medium in this environment, children go by canoe, children often abandon school for fishing and parents often encourages this. Aside from the poor educational standard the healthcare system is nothing to write home about. The Health care centres are ill equipped and lacks personnels as health personnel refuses postings to the riverine area for obvious reasons.
THREATS These islands and hinterlands have been subjected to attacks for the past four decades by Cameroon gendarmes, which frequently result to loss of live, properties and arbitrary imprisonment of Nigerian fishermen/women by Cameroon gendarmes. However, in order to checkmate this crisis, a detachment of the Nigerian Army has been sent to maintain peace and order in the area, which has also resulted to sexual abuses for the women and young girls. In addition, there is always frequent fire outbreak in the fishing ports. Furthermore, the recent oil exploration/development activities of (Mobil, Moni Pulo/Brass, Addax and Elf) around the southern parts have resulted to complicated cases of Human Rights abuses by the oil companies. Again, some parts of the islands are gradually being washed away by flood, erosion and high tides, thereby posing threats to the inhabitants and gradually making them to become environmental refugees.
CURRENT CONFLICT. The major conflicts in these areas is
The crises between the Nigeria and Cameroon resulting to loss of lives & arbitrary imprisonment of fishermen and women and loss of properties North several hundreds of million of Naira .
The absence of any development of the areas by the 3 arms of government etc. All said and done, this communities need to be saved from total extermination and new hope restored to the rural coastal populace and the environment. Thee is an urgent need to
Empower the civil society groups working in the areas. Skill acquisition for women & unemployed youths, Introducing micro-credit scheme for economic development
Addressing human rights abuses ,Construction of embankment around the flood/Erosion prone areas. Provide social amenities such as school facilities, good water, transportation, communication facilities etc.
The present conflict situation is the denial of fundamental human rights of the people of Bakassi to Self-Determination as ICJ judgment, which give the sovereignty of BAKASSI to the Republic of Cameroum
AN OVERVIEW OF THE ECOSYSTEM
The Ecosystem of these areas is basically composed of mangrove and coastal rainforest which covers over 200km2 and constitute part of the Nigeria mangrove forest and most importantly, this unique tropical forest of Cross River State is of global significance. This mangrove has been (one of the richest mangroves along the coast of West Africa identified as the third largest in Africa. This last remaining mangrove forest of Niger-Delta runs for about 45km2 under parallel to the coast of Atlantic Ocean and holds a larger proportion of the Nation biodiversity. Presently, this unique ecosystem is being greatly threatened by both Natural & Human activities, which includes, over exploitation (logging for fuel wood, oil spillage, bush burning, aqua culture etc. There is a great deal of ignorance, illiteracy, and poverty and over dependence of the forest/water as the only available source of income. However, globally the mangrove Ecosystem has suffered neglect conservationist, funders, etc. Here in Cross River State, it has been observed that most if not all the Biodiversity conservationist & funders pays more attention to High rainforest of Cross River State nothing is done to fund projects in the mangrove/coastal marine ecosystem of the state which plays a vital role in the biodiversity of the Nation. Thus participatory integrated approach to the Ecosystem management.
INTERNATIONAL /NATIONAL PARTNERS/SUPPORTERS
Mangrove Action Project,Part Angeles, USA
Bothends Organisation,Netheland
Email: ma@bothends.org
Environmental Right Action,Nigeria
Email: eraction@infoweb.abs.net
NGO Coalition for Environment,Nigeria
Email: ngocenigeria@yahoo.com
Rainforest Action Network,USA
Email: ran@ran.org
Global Green Grant Fund,USA
United State Embassy,Nigeria
UNDP regional Office, Gulf Of Guinea Project, Cameroun.
Concern Universal, Calabar, Nigeria
Oxfam GB, Abuja, Nigeria
WHAT CAN I DO FOR ABGREMO:
Over the years our sources of finance has been from Voluntary donations, dues, special levies and grants from donors but in view of our strategic framework plan we need more funds for achieved our mission, thus the appeal for support.
Contact us at: Postal Address: ABGREMO coordinator, 23 Etinyin Abasi Street Calabar,Cross River State, Nigeria Email: abgremo@ yahoo.com
OR at Office Address: 24 Ikot Ewa,Opp Community Secondary Sch. Akpabuyo,Along Calabar- Ikang Road Akpabuyo L.G.A,Cross River, Nigeria
AREAS OF ASSISTANCE
Capacity Building
Resources materials (IEC, Computers etc)
Exchange Programmes
Funding
International networking/partnership.
Renewal source of energy
Training on Fundraising
Personal donations are welcome.
PUBLICATIONS / EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS PRODUCED
Bakassi Oil and Environment Alerts (available on request)
ABGREMO Bi-anneal Report 1998/99
ABGREMO Brochure (available on Request)
Project Reports
Raising an HIV/ AIDS Free Generation.
Photos on interesting/striking sites and scene.
Many position papers on key issues of social justices.
Handbook on mangroves (Yet to be published)
Email Us At abgremo@yahoo.com
dammywinston.scriptmania.com
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