ECONOMIC AINU SOCIAL COUNCIL

Transcription

1 Distr. GENEHAL UN1TE1J NATIONS ECONOMIC AINU SOCIAL COUNCIL \ October I986 EMGL1SI! Original! ENGLISH EC0HCM1C CaiMISSION FO1 Sixth United Nations Pegional Cartographic Cotiference for Africa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Horember I986 REGIONAL CENTRE FOR TRAINING IN AERIAL SURVEYS (RECTAS) ILE-IFE (NIGERIA) TECHNICAL COOPERATION: THE EXPERIENCE OF RECTAS DIRECTOR, RECTAS

2 I. INTRODUCTION For the most needed horizontal cooperation to effectively take place as expected between African Regional Centres belonging to the Earth Resources group, such Institutions should first of all aim at acquiring and keeping abreast with the Technological know how of advanced Nations II. THE NEED FOR CO-OPERATION FORjjECTAS In 1963, the UN Cartographic Conference for Africa recommended the creation of Cartographic 8entres in Africa. This was done with the hope that a close co-operation would be established between developed countries and such Centres, to enable the latter fulfil efficiently their missions. Thus, at the inception of the Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys in 1972, the founding member states, namely: Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal secured the support of developed countries such as Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, United Kingdom and Finland, through the donations of equipment, fellowships, and secondment of lecturers and technical advijens. This enabled RECTAS to offer a training of international standard for over a decade, The recent developments in the field of Computer Science and space technology have brought about unprecedented mutations in Aerial Survey techniques illustrated by the obtention of better results at lower cost thanks to the use of highly p&r-feefckmed equipment.

3 There is need for RECTAS to acquire such <aia equipment, not only for keeping up the level of its training, but also to satisfy the needs of african countries tlm majority of which are currently confronted with natural disasters such as drought and desertification, pollution, soil erosion, etc. These natural disasters can be effectively assessed and monitored through the intensive use of Space Remote Sensing by well trained experts. Unfortunately, the adverse effects of the world wide economic crisis on the economy of the third world countries in general and the participating countries of RECTAS in particular do not allow the latter to provide the necessary funds for the acquisition, by RECTAS, of such equipment. III. ASSISTANCE RECEIVED IN THE PAST AND PRESENT * PROBLEMS OF CONTINUITY As mentioned above, donor countries strongly shouldered RECTAS at its inception. With the exception of some instruments given by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Centre has been almost exclusively equipped by the Swiss and Dutch Governments. Smaller contributions were received from United Kingdom and Canadian Governments. The enthusiasm earlier expressed by developped countries faded progressively and gave room to a greater moderation. With the exception of the Swiss Government which has continously provided the Centre with substantial aid, no noteworthy support was further received from other developed countries. Because of the recent developments in Aerial Survey techniques

4 - 3 - as mentioned above there is an absolute need for the continuity of technical assistance through a close co-operation with developed countries. Tremendous efforts are being made by RECTAS to that end and important contacts have been recently established with potential donor countries and international organisations. These contacts have been materialised^by the elaboration of project doucumehts submitted for the approval of and financing by the said countries and organisations. IV. THE TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROPOSALS 1 " ' ' "-" ' it -.u* The future of RECTAS will depend essentially on the financing of the above mentioned projects. There are five project proposals which can be briefly described as follows: 1. The I.T.C. - RECTAS project proposal The main objective of this project between RECTAS and the International Institute for Aerial Surveys and Earth Science (I.T.C) Enschede, the Netherlands, is to strenghten RECTAS through the revision and up-dating of courses currently offered, and the introduction of new courses such as Cartography, the applications of Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing to resource survey and management. The major elements of this project are: (i) Training and updating of RECTAS staff at I.T.C. (ii) Revision of the present syllabuses and the development of new ones. (iii) The offer to RECTAS of modern equipment so as to enable the trainees perform the practical exercises related to the revised syllabuses.

5 - 4 - ; The financing expected from the Dutch Government amounts to * ; 4,000, US Dollars and the project duration is about 7 years., \ 2. The project proposal for Assistance to RECTAS by the French Government: This project proposal has been submitted "popthe approval of the French j Government through its Embassy in Nigeria (Host country of RECTAS). It is/request for assistance over a period of 5 years, which includes the I three following)sections: : (i) Offer of fellowships to african students admitted to the Centre and. upgrading of RECTAS staff in French Institutions. \ (ii) Supply of relevant scientific literature as well as secondment of French Experts to symposia, seminars, workshops, etc.. organised : by the Centre., (iii) Supply of Remote Sensing equipment and SPOT satellite products \ < The total amount budgeted for the project is approximately 600, U.S. Dollars. \ 3. Technical Co-operation Programme Proposal between RECTAS and the ; the Technical Research Centre of FINLAND (T.R.C.) i This co-operation Programme which has been submitted forthe approval of the Finnish I fovernment through the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA) ; aims at establishing technical co-operation between the Technical Research Centre of FINLAND (T.R.C.) and RECTAS. The volume of assistance expected by RECTAS in the fields of Photogrammetry, Cartography and Remote Sensing will only be accurately determined after assessment and approval of the \ programme by the Finnish Authorities.

6 Project Proposal on F.A.O. assistance to RECTAS This project proposal has been submitted for approval to F.A.O. through the Technical Assistance and Co-operation Division of the UNECA. Its objectives include the training at RECTAS of experts for monitoring and control of desertification in arid and semi - arid regions through the use of Remote Sensing, The highlights of this 3 year duration project proposal are as follows: (i) Offer of fellowships to the Course participants (ii) Payment of overall expenses incurred in respect of Course Lecturers (iii) Offer of equipment (including: a mini - computer) necessary for the smooth running of the training. The estimated cost of the project amounts to 500, U.S. Dollars. 5. Project proposal on RECTAS major problems which need to be addressed during the fourth cycle Regional Programme of UNDP for Africa: This project proposal mainly addresses itself to the reinforcement of the foundations of RECTAS future activities. The three major elements of the project are the following: (i) The expansion and re-orientation of RECTAS training programmes so as to provide for the training at post-graduate level and the beginning of Aerial Photography courses, (ii) The development of capabilities in consultancy and advisory services, with special emphasis on photogrammetric geodesy and orthophoto - mapping

7 - 6 - (iii) The conduct of research in peculiar problems in Aerial Surveys such as close range mapping, computer assisted mapping, remote sensing application maps, applications to population estimation. The estimated project budget is 4,000, U.S. Dollars over a period of 4 years. V. CONCLUSION The ability of Institutions such as RECTAS to generate funds in order to reduce the burden of their member states will be determinant for their survival. Funds can be generated only if such Institutions are adequately equiped and staffed with high caliber personnel through technical co-operation with technologically developped countries and International organisations ooo