Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

 

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE CENTRE

Consequent to the signing of two linkage agreements by the University with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in 1996 and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/1AS) in 1997, the Centre was established based on the ZERI concept. A Director was then appointed to man the Centre in 1998, while the Centre was formally commissioned in 1999. As a result of the replacement of FEPA with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the name of the Centre later changed to FMEnv/ZERI Centre. To further strengthen the linkage the third agreement was entered into with ZERI Foundation in 2001. Since then, the Centre has engaged in series of training and IBS development projects.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the linkage with the UNU/IAS is to apply the ZERI methodology to the production processes in the country, both in agriculture and manufacturing industry.

The Objective of the linkage with the Federal Ministry of Environment is to serve as a Centre for Environmental Impact Studies (EIA) of petroleum, natural gas and solid mineral resources mining in the Savanna Plains of Nigeria towards the implementation of national policy on Environment.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTRE

The functions of the Centre under the different linkages are summarized as follows:

The Federal Ministry of Environment. The Centre assists Federal Ministry of Environment in Training and Research in the areas of Environmental Impact Studies for mineral resources in the Savanna plains of Nigeria , especially in:

Impact on biotic and abiotic components of the environment

Land use, productivity and social implications

Environmental Economics of Petroleum, natural gas and solid mineral exploration/exploitation

Products and waste management as is related to petroleum and mineral exploration/Exploitation.

Health hazards associated with petroleum and mineral exploitation and exploration.

Other projects identifiable and of relevance to the objectives of Federal Ministry of Environment mandate.

UNU/IAS

ZERI looks at a wide range of materials of which are normally considered as waste and often polluting the environment. The aim is to transform the waste from one process into raw materials for other production processes and create new products.

ZERI is to develop new technology to enhance sustainable production.

Ensure notable increase in the efficient use of raw material.

To develop new business sectors on the basis of manufacturing new products from "waste materials"

To identify new sectors in the world Economy, which generate new jobs for the future, while offering solutions to current environmental problems.

To create multidisciplinary research agenda, that blends old and new technologies.

To offer a new frame work for environmental policy-making.

To profer means of addressing problems of poverty, unemployment and environment degradation.