The Role of Space Technology in Addressing Security and Environmental Challenges in The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The Role of Space Technology in addressing Security and
Environmental Challenges in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Prof. Idara Akpabio,
Department of Physics, University of Uyo, Nigeria
idaraakpabio@uniuyo.edu.ng
2019 ASTAL WORKSHOP: THE ROLE OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN ADDRESSING SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN THE 1
NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
CONTENTS
Introduction
Space Technology
Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Environmental Challenges
Security Challenges
Recommendations
Conclusion
2019 ASTAL Workshop: The Role of Space Technology in Addressing Security and Environmental 2
Challenges in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to address this great audience

at the Opening Ceremony of a 5-day Specialized Training Workshop
organized by the Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory
(ASTAL), Uyo.
As we all know, the aim of this training workshop is to build the Capacity
of Nigerians in the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), to address
Environmental and Security Challenges in the Niger Delta Region of
Nigeria.
Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I say that this

workshop is not only apt, but timely as Nigeria is on the verge of launching
a Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite into orbit; this will address a number
of Environmental and Security issues in the country.
Space Based Technology
Offers unique solutions to the challenges of man and his environment.
Technology related to entering and retrieving information from space.
Remote Sensing
Geo-information System (GIS)
Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.

Used to map and delineate the surface and subsurface for developmental and
or remediation purposes.
Space systems enhances effective communication, global navigation,

resources monitoring, efficient research activities, effective industrial
processes, and precise information on time, weather and natural occurrences
across the globe.
Satellite
Smaller body revolving
around a larger body
Natural satellites Artificial satellites

Moon, planets, comet Weather , spy , communication
Remote
sensing
“The art, science, and technology of obtaining information about objects and the
environment, through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting imagery and
digital representation of energy patterns derived from non contact sensor system " .
– via cameras recording on film, which may then be scanned (aerial photos)
– via sensors, which directly output digital data (satellite imagery)
Remote sensing
Basic processes
Satellite
• Data acquisition (energy propagation, platforms)
• Processing (conversion of energy pattern to
images)
• Analysis (quantitative and qualitative analysis)
• Accuracy assessment (radiometric and
geometric correction)
• Information distribution to users (hard copy,
CCT, CD-ROM, X-BYTE)
Receiving station Distribution

processing
Archiving
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
GIS is a computerized data management system used to capture, store, manage,
retrieve, analyze, and display spatial information. Data captured commonly
represented on hard-copy maps.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
GPS is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time
information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there
is an obstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Space Technology has been enhanced by the evolution of Synthetic

Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor, which involves acquiring information
about an object, event or phenomenon on earth by satellite’s radar
sensor.
SAR has the advantage of high penetrating power, long-range signal

propagation, complex information processing ability, all-weather
operating capability, day-and-night imaging capability, and high
resolution capability.
The technology has the potential of stimulating research activities,

detecting environmental degradation, enhancing search and rescue
operations, accelerating the pace of development, and catalyzing socio-
economic growth of nations.
THE NIGER DELTA REGION
The Niger Delta is endowed with abundance of human and natural
resources, particularly crude oil.
The region is however threatened by challenging phenomena resulting

from natural and anthropogenic factors.
The major challenges of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria are

environmental, socio-economic and security.
The challenges of the region are

made complicated by the remote
nature of the terrain, natural
forces, poverty, and lack of
sustained commitment by
stakeholders to develop the area.
The Niger Delta ecosystem has been in devastated condition, due to
continuous and reckless exploitation without commensurate care and
remediation effort.
Other problems of the region include: flooding, erosion/gullies, ground

subsidence and structural deformation, ocean surge, sea level rise;
deforestation, biodiversity distortion, leaching, abnormal surface
temperature, etc.
The environmental and security challenges in the region carry with them
devastating multiplying effects.
Constant oil spills and gas blow-outs from these pipelines constitute
health hazards for both the people and the environment.
The surface pipelines alter the ecosystem; reduce available land for
agriculture and other development and impede free movement of goods
and services.
Environmental Challenges in the Niger Delta
The Niger Delta region has suffered so much as a result of environmental
degradation over the years. The ecosystem has been damaged massively by;
oil spills,
air and water pollution,
noise pollution
loss of biodiversity
disease out-break
Even though we use the end product of hydrocarbon to fuel our airplanes, cars,
and trucks, to heat our homes, and to make products like medicines and
plastics. Petroleum products make life easier;
They also affect;

agricultural activities,
mining operations,
commercial activities.
the ozone layer, gulley erosion, flooding etc.
Security Challenges in the Niger Delta
The key security issues in the Niger Delta region include:

militancy;
armed robbery,
kidnapping, and
vandalization of strategic infrastructure such as:
oil pipelines,
electricity cables, and
telecommunication cables.
Causes of Environmental Degradation
1. Land Disturbance or damage:

means any activity that changes the
physical conditions of land form,
vegetation and hydrology, creates bare
soil, or otherwise may cause Erosion or
Sedimentation.
Clearing and Grading of land

Removal / destruction of trees or other
vegetation
Excavation and filling,
Deposition of debris (organic or other
composition)
Any disturbance of soil within 200 feet
of state waters
Causes of Environmental Degradation contds.
2. Pollution:
Pollution, in whatever form, whether it is air, water, land or noise is
harmful for the environment.
Air pollution pollutes the air that we breathe which causes health
issues.
Water pollution degrades the quality of water that we use for

drinking purposes.
Land pollution results in degradation of earth’s surface as a result of

human activities.
Noise pollution can cause irreparable damage to our ears when

exposed to continuous large sounds like honking of vehicles on a
busy road or machines producing large noise in a factory or a mill.
3. Overpopulation:
Rapid population growth puts strain on natural resources which
results in degradation of our environment.
Mortality rate has gone down due to better medical facilities which
has resulted in increased lifespan.
More population simple means more demand for food, clothes and
shelter.
You need more space to grow food and provide homes to millions of
people.
This results in deforestation which is another factor of environmental

degradation.
4. Landfills:
Landfills pollute the environment and destroy the beauty of the city.
Landfills come within the city due the large amount of waste that
gets generated by households, industries, factories and hospitals.
Landfills pose a great risk to the health of the environment and the
people who live there.
Landfills produce foul smell when burned and cause huge

environmental degradation.
5. Deforestation:
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees to make way for more
homes and industries.
Rapid growth in population and urban sprawl are two of the major
causes of deforestation.
Apart from that, use of forest land for agriculture, animal grazing,
harvest for fuel wood and logging are some of the other causes of
deforestation.
Deforestation contributes to global warming as decreased forest

size puts carbon back into the environment.
6: Natural Causes:
Things like avalanches, quakes, tidal waves, storms, and wildfires
can totally crush nearby animal and plant groups to the point where
they can no longer survive in those areas.
Of course, humans aren’t totally to blame for this whole thing. Earth
itself causes ecological issues, as well.
While environmental degradation is most normally connected with the

things that people do, the truth is that the environment is always
changing. With or without the effect of human exercises, a few
biological systems degrade to the point where they can’t help the life
that is supposed to live there
Effects of Environmental Degradation
1. Impact on Human Health: Human health might be at the receiving end

as a result of the environmental degradation. Areas exposed to toxic air
pollutants can cause respiratory problems.
2. Loss of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is important for maintaining balance of

the ecosystem in the form of combating pollution, restoring nutrients,
protecting water sources and stabilizing climate. Deforestation, global
warming, overpopulation and pollution are few of the major causes for loss
of biodiversity.
3. Ozone Layer Depletion: Ozone layer is responsible for protecting earth

from harmful ultraviolet rays. The presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro
chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is causing the ozone layer to
deplete. As it will deplete, it will emit harmful radiations back to the earth.
Effects of Environmental Degradation contds.
4. Loss for Tourism Industry: The deterioration of environment can be a

huge setback for tourism industry that rely on tourists for their daily
livelihood. Environmental damage in the form of loss of green cover, loss of
biodiversity, huge landfills, increased air and water pollution can be a big
turn off for most of the tourists.
5. Economic Impact: The huge cost that a country may have to borne due
to environmental degradation can have big economic positive impact to the
populace.
Recommendation:
We can take action to stop environmental degradation by providing

environmental education to the people which will help them pick
familiarity with their surroundings that will enable to take care of
environmental issues thus making it more useful and protected for our
children and other future generations.
In addition to the application of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

sensor in acquiring information about the environmental degradation in
the area, efforts should be targeted at tackling the root causes of
degradation rather than all the time proffer remediation.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished participants, right before us is an opportunity to develop

ourselves, to know more about Synthetic Aperture Radar Technology.
It is an opportunity for exchange of ideas. Above all, it is a platform to

embrace Space Technology as a culture, towards contributing
meaningfully to national development.
I congratulate you all because I know at the end of this workshop, new
knowledge will be acquired and your capability in the use of space
technology tools will be improved.
I thank the organizers for this well-thought-out initiative, which I believe will
be very interesting, memorable and worthwhile.
Thank you and God bless.

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The Role of Space Technology in addressing Security and

Environmental Challenges in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to address this great audience

Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I say that this

Technology related to entering and retrieving information from space.

Geo-information System (GIS)

Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.

Space systems enhances effective communication, global navigation,

Natural satellites Artificial satellites

Receiving station Distribution

Space Technology has been enhanced by the evolution of Synthetic

SAR has the advantage of high penetrating power, long-range signal

The technology has the potential of stimulating research activities,

The region is however threatened by challenging phenomena resulting

The major challenges of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria are

The challenges of the region are

Other problems of the region include: flooding, erosion/gullies, ground

They also affect;

The key security issues in the Niger Delta region include:

1. Land Disturbance or damage:

Clearing and Grading of land

Water pollution degrades the quality of water that we use for

Land pollution results in degradation of earth’s surface as a result of

Noise pollution can cause irreparable damage to our ears when

This results in deforestation which is another factor of environmental

Landfills produce foul smell when burned and cause huge

Deforestation contributes to global warming as decreased forest

While environmental degradation is most normally connected with the

1. Impact on Human Health: Human health might be at the receiving end

2. Loss of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is important for maintaining balance of

3. Ozone Layer Depletion: Ozone layer is responsible for protecting earth

4. Loss for Tourism Industry: The deterioration of environment can be a

We can take action to stop environmental degradation by providing

In addition to the application of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

Distinguished participants, right before us is an opportunity to develop

It is an opportunity for exchange of ideas. Above all, it is a platform to

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