Government officials trained in environmental valuation

Jul 15, 2020

“If you find that the value of that resource is greater than the value of the road or that of a factory, then don’t tamper with it, “he said.

ENVIRONMENT

In order to enhance environmental conservation in the country, Makerere University Centre for Environmental Initiative-EfD Mak Centre, has trained over 50 government officials in Environmental valuation.

This is intended to empower them with the skills in environmental valuation and economics to be able to design and implement policies appropriately.

According to Peter Babyenda a research fellow at the EfD Mak Centre, lack of valuation of environment is responsible for its degradation.

Peter Babyenda a research fellow at the Environment for Development Initiative EfD Mak Centre facilitating during the training for environmental valuation

He complained that government officials in most cases sign environmental impact assessment reports without considering the valuable cost of the resource but only consider the benefit of what they intent to convert it with.

He believes that if they would consider embracing a monetary attachment on these natural resources, it would enhance their conservation.

"Most of the time, these people consider the jobs that would be created and forget the current benefits. Considering forests and wetlands, decisions must be guided by skilled person before any conversation is made, "he said.

Some of the participants who took part in the Environmental valuation training

The Director of the Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale explained that environmental valuation helps to attach a monetary value on a natural resource saying in many places, government wishes to put up infrastructures in wetlands or forests but lacks experts to advice on the decision to inform policy.

"If you find that the value of that resource is greater than the value of the road or that of a factory, then don't tamper with it, "he said.

He said the centre is currently training student's researchers and environmentalists to empower them with the technical skills on policy engagement and analysis.

"We want them to have the skills of what they are working on, so that they can work technically better, "he said

The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on climate change Lawrence Songa observed that the environmental valuation and economics helps a lot in decision making.

The Principal College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University Prof. Eria Hisali interact with the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on climate change Lawlence Songa while the director of the Makerere EFD centre Prof. Edward Bbaale in the middle is listening

‘It is all about the five ‘P's which involves people, planet, profits, partnerships and peace meaning whatever we are doing is to benefit the people and any action can destroy the planet leading to insecurity.

Our focus must survive in order to support the future generation and this can be done through partnerships, "he said.

He observed the need for government, civil society organisations and academia to work together in order to address the issues to avoid insecurity.

Songa applauded the centre towards training government officials in environmental valuation and economics observing the need to bring all other stakeholders together and ask each other questions.