October-November, 2007
Edition
h t t p : / / w w w . g c l m e . o r go r g
ANGOLA - BENIN - CAMEROON - CONGO - CÔTE D'IVOIRE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - EQUATORIAL GUINEA - GABON - GHANA - GUINEA - GUINEA BISSAU - LIBERIA - NIGERIA - SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - SIERRA LEONE - TOGO
Workshop on Marine Protected Areas: Calabar,
introducing the document on Partnership with the Agri-
Nigeria, 6-13 October.
industry during the second EGM.He participated in both
the discussions of the issues and in the ensuring revision of
Between 6 and 13 October, the IGCC Executive Secretary
the draft proposals for two medium seized projects (MSP's)
and GCLME Regional Director, Prof. Ibe was on mission to
to be submitted to GEF for funding.
Calabar and Lagos, Nigeria where he presented a Workshop
on Marine Protected Areas. The Workshop was widely
Side Meetings with UNEP Representative focused on the
attended by the University staff and students and officials/
selection of sites for indepth investigation of anoxic condition
functionaries of the Cross River State Ministries of
in the GCLME caused by excess nitrogen loading. The
Environment and Forestry with whom the project has been
GCLME was selected as a case study of environmental and
collaborating on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas
health problems related to nitrogen overenrichment.
in the State.
Prof. Ibe met with representatives from industries in a bid
It is to be recalled that in collaboration with the GCLME
to secure enhanced participation in GCLME project/IGCC
project, the State government issued a gazette in November
Activities as envisaged in the approved project document.
declaring all Mangrove Forests in the State as Forests
He discussed with the Project Manager,activities to be
Reserves.
included in the 2008 Work Programme as well as elements
Prof. Ibe presented a series of lectures to staff and students
for the Budget revision of 2007 requested by UNDP.
of the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Calabar
and highlighted the continuing role of the Institute as a
Centre of Excellence for the GCLME and Coastal Tourism
BICENTENNIAL COLLABORATION OF US-
projects and as an anchor for the development of "Training
NOAA.
Modules" for the rest of the GCLME Region.
From 25 to 30 October, Prof. Ibe was in Boston, USA to
He encouraged University/State Government to improve
participate in the 200th Anniversary Celebration of US
liaison with neighbouring Cameroon towards the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US-
establishment of a Regional Network of Marine Protected
NOAA) as Guest Speaker/Round Table Lead Discussant and
Areas.
Exhibitor.He delivered an invited lecture entitled "The
IGCC - From Vision to Mission" at the Coastal Resources
EXPERT GROUP MEETINGS ON ARTESANAL FISHERIES CONFLICTS
Center, Naragansett, Rhode Island to a large audience in
AND NITROGEN OVER-ENRICHMENT. VIENNA, 15-18 OCTOBER.
the Center's Amphitheatre as part of the bi-centinnal
Between 13 and 22 October, the Executive Secretary/
celebration of US-NOAA. This invitation was to highlight
Regional Director was in Vienna, Austria to participate in 2
US-NOAA's strength and programmes in international
back to back Meetings on Industrial - Artesanal Fisheries
collaborations.
Conflicts (15-16 October) and Nitrogen Over-enrichment
Prof. Ibe participated in a Round Table discussion with
(17-18 October).
invited guests including The Hydrographer of the US-Navy,
Present at the Meetings were UN and Non UN organizations
the Director General of the South-East Fisheries Science
like GEF, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, WWF, US-NOAA, the Marine
Center of the US-NOAA and the Director of the
Stewardship Council and a host of Private Sector
Narragansett laboratory, Dr. Ken Sherman. The topic was
representatives like the International Fertilizer Group.
"The Management of Large Marine Ecosystems world-
wide". He presented best practices from the GCLME
Prof. Ibe chaired the second day of the Meeting on the Fishing
project and the Interim Guinea Current Commission.
Industry and sustainable Fishery and took a lead role in

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 2
October-November, 2007
CONFERENCE OF PARTIES OF THE ABIDJAN
COMMISSIONING OF THE REGIONAL CENTER OF
(COP8) AND NAIROBI (COP5) CONVENTION.
EXCELLENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
JOHANNESBURG, 5-9 NOVEMBER
MANAGEMENT. OWERRI, NIGERIA.
From 5 and 9 November, Prof. Ibe attended the Joint
Conference of Parties of the Abidjan (COP8) and Nairobi
A REGIONAL Centre of Excellence on Environmental
(COP5) Convention which was held in Johannesburg, South
Pollution Management that will provide technical guidance
Africa.
and expertise on pollution issues concerning such land-based
activities as municipal, industrial and agricultural waste in all
The ES/RD contributed to the Technical segment through
the 16 Guinea Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) countries
presentations highlighting the achievements of the GCLME
of West and Central Africa was Commissioned in Owerri,
project and its evolution to an Interim Guinea Current
Imo State, Nigeria by the state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim on
Commission. He also traced the path to full commission
28 November, 2007.
status by February 2008.
The centre is being promoted by the Interim Guinea Current
During the Ministerial Segment, 7 to 8 November, Prof.
Commission (IGCC) under supervision of the United Nations
Ibe presented the new Protocol to the Abidjan Convention
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) - acting as
on Land Based activities affecting marine pollution in the
Global Environment Fund (GEF) executing agency. It is a
Convention Area which was prepared by the IGCC
product of a partnership between the Government of Imo
Executive Secretariat in collaboration with the 22 member
State and the Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and
countries of the Convention for adoption in 2008.
Urban Development. The project is hosted by the Imo State
He also presented the Trans-Boundary Diagnostic analysis
Environmental Protection Agency (ISEPA).
Document to the Ministers. The acting Minister of
A management committee has been constituted by UNIDO
Environment from Nigeria, Engr. Yahaya performed the
and the IGCC under the Chairmanship of the Permanent
official launching of the TDA document which has a Foreword
Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment.
contributed by the President of Ghana and Chair of the
Members of the Committee are: Professor Ayite-Lo Ajavon,
African Union, HE Mr. John Kuffuor.
UNIDO International Consultant on Pollution and Professor
The IGCC and BCC (Benguela Current Commission) were
of Atmospheric Chemistry at University of Lome, Togo;
invited to play lead and catalyzing roles in the revitalization
Captain Martin Niagne Dibi, Director Anti-Pollution Centre
of the Abidjan Convention and the Execution of its work
(CIAPOL), Cote D' Ivoire; Mr William Fomban Gana of
programme which mimic the GCLME project work
Hydrac Oil Company Cameroon; a representative of the
programme.
Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban
Development; UNIDO Representative in Nigeria; a
The Ministers called on the Abidjan Convention Secretariat
representative of the IGCC; Mr. Charles Okoro of SPDC
to adopt the Commissions (GCC and BCC) as their
representing the Oil Industry; and the Personal Assistant to
Execution Arms and to avoid duplication of work
the Imo State Governor on Petroleum and Environment.
programmes.
IGCC in concert with UNEP and UNIDO will organize a
meeting in early 2008 of all environmental projects within
the Abidjan Convention Area for the revitalization of the
Convention.
The Executive Secretary/Regional Director held formal
discussions with the new Ministers of Environment of Benin
and Congo Republic to agree on re-inforced in-country
strategies for GCLME project implementation in their
respective countries.
The Ministers called on the IGCC Executive Secretary to
play a defining role and assist the countries of the Abidjan
Convention in the ongoing negotiations for the extension of
the Continental shelf to 350 miles.
The Perm. Sec. Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Affairs,
Dr. Anurigwo addressing the participants.
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 3
October-November, 2007
Regional Training Course on "Integrated
Commissioning of the Regional Center of Excellence on
coastal Zone Management, Douala,
Environmental Pollution Management.
Cameroon; 26-30 Nov. 2007.
Between 26 and 30 November, a Regional Training Course on
"Integrated coastal Zone Management" was organized in Douala,
Cameroon in collaboration with ICT-UNIDO, Trieste Italy. IGCC
was represented by Dr. Jacques Abe. During the workshop, the
achievements under the 5 broad Modules of the Guinea Current
Large Marine Ecosystem Project were presented. Also
presented were activities of the Environmental Information
Management System (EIMS) Center of the project by Dr. Peter
Nwilo.
Imo State Governor Ohakim commissioning the Regional Center of
Excellence on Environmental Pollution Management.
The ICAM Demonstration Project in Cameroon was presented
"Through this partnership, the Centre will obtain
by Dr. Folack and Prof. Tchawa. The main conclusions and
reference materials and technical publications as well as
recommendation should show the way for a better management
participate in the regular global inter-calibration and inter-
of the coastal areas in this region. These orientations and clear
comparability exercises organized by the MEL-IAEA. The
proposals are needed for the implementation of the second phase
Centre, will, thus, benefit from the sharing of knowledge,
of the demo project on the ground. Meanwhile, the current
experiences, best practices and lessons learned on
status of the coastal areas was well described and the main issues
methodologies and techniques for pollution management
identified.
with other regional centres worldwide under the MEL-
There were presentations by the GCLME countries present
IAEA Network."
under the theme:Economic Valuation of Goods and Services of
Governor Ohakim noted that the state government
the Ecosystems: direct value, indirect value, stakeholders'
contributed over N40 million towards establishment of
analysis.
the centre. He lauded UNIDO for setting up the unit in
The country presentations started with Angola showing the
Imo, which he said the state government would support,
Luanda city planning problems, pollution, coastal erosion,
because the Environment features under its drive to create
depletion of fish stocks and fisheries management initiatives. A
jobs for unemployed youth and engender tourism.
PSP (Private Sector Participation) for waste management
involving private sector already exists in Nigeria that can be a
useful model for Angola. A new city is planned inland as political
Dr. Ukwe
making a
speech.
A view of the Participants during the technical session.
C o p y r i g h t , I G C C , 2 0 0 7

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I G C C N e w s l e t t e r Page 4
October-November, 2007
capital to decentralize some activities and avoid population
congestion.
The situation in Benin was presented by Mrs. Ichola Rihanath
Olga. The coastal area contains more than 50% of the total
country population. Fisheries management, coastal erosion,
loss of biodiversity and water hyacinths constitute the main
environments issues in Benin.
In Ghana, about 25% of the 21 million populations live in the
coastal area and also the discovery of oil and gas offshore will
increase population migration on the coastal area. Pollution,
coastal erosion, and over fishing are the major environment
problems. A sensitivity map was prepared to show the
L-R are: Dr. Obinna Chukwu, - Reg. Exp., Coastal and Marine
vulnerability of the coastal area. The EIA is now used for any
Pollution, Nig, Mr.R.S. Kuuzegh-Dir. MLGRDE, Ghana, Dr. E.
investment on the coast. A CZIMP (1990) and NAP and CZ
Ajao-Dir. of NIOMR and Dr. P. Nwilo-Coordinator, EIMS Cen-
Management Plan (1998). All local communities have their
ter, Nigeria.
Policy for Environment. Traditional practices are also used for
Governance. Regional and sub-regional collaboration with the
Abidjan Convention, ICCAT, GCLME and AU-STRC.
The Master Plan for Nigeria's ICAM:Cross sectoral and holistic
approaches, strategies through ecological master plan and
environmental assessment was presented by Dr. Obinna
Chukwu. A National ICAM Committee and Technical
subcommittees, State Committees, local government ICAM
Committees and Programme Area Management Committees
are already designated.
Participants on a field trip to one of the sand mining sites in
Douala.
A view of some sand miners at work.
Edited by : K e l e c h i I h e m e j e Layout by : J o s h u a O k e c h u k u N d u b u i s i

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