AN EVALUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PARKS AND GARDENS IN CENTRAL AREA, ABUJA.

AN EVALUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PARKS AND GARDENS IN CENTRAL AREA, ABUJA.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluate the development and management of parks and gardens in Central Area Abuja. The researcher in an attempt to achieve the aim, examines the processes in the development of parks and gardens in Abuja, examine the existing facilities in the parks and gardens, assess the range of services offered by the parks and gardens, examines the management strategies in the parks and gardens and  assessed the challenges in the development and management of parks and gardens in Central Area, Abuja. There are several parks and Gardens in the study area but this study examined two(2); Wonderland Amusement Parks and Nelson Nuek Parks and Gardens. The research adopted the survey design which offers the opportunity to gather information through the use of questionnaires, personal interview and observation. A total of 120 structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents and 100 were retrieved. Data were presented and analysed using simple statistical tools. The studies revealed that the parks and garden development has started receiving attention due to the presidents green agenda. The establishment of a department of parks and recreation and are not sufficiently equipped to cater for the recreational needs of the population. Finally the researcher recommends that there is need for the development of parks/recreational areas policies that can be use as a guide for planning and development.

Key words; Development, Management, Parks, Gardens.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background Of The Study

The term recreation is often defined in relation to activity: as an activity engaged in by the individuals after work, an activity that generates, recreates. Knudson (1980), Jubenuille1976. It is a vital need in today’s world. It is one of the greatest opportunities for self expression and an essential need of human life without which life is incomplete, dull and monotonous (Adejumo, 1991).

Similarly the term leisure has also been defined in relation to time: as the time an individual has free from work or other daily chores, which may be utilized for recreation (Parker 1974; Robert, 1974).

In another sense, leisure connotes time uncommitted to the necessities of life.

As to the difference between leisure and recreation, Knudson (1980) asserted that leisure can be thought of as the time in which a person is relatively free to choose his activities and recreation can be considered as either a play activity or passivity pursued in leisure in terms of time; and as time left after all life’s obligations are met. The time we are freest to be ourselves. They also conceive of recreation as a personal experience. Thus while leisure has time dimension, recreation is an activity pursued in leisure time.

People participation in recreation activities makes the provision of parks and activities more meaningful and satisfying. Their participation are influenced by variables of the people (notably sex, marital status, income, level of education, occupation, car ownership), the amount of time available for leisure, available facilities and other factors relating to the recreational areas such as accessibility, landscape quality, marketing and publicity. These factors are indicators of recreation habits of the people and important factors to be considered in making future forecasts about charging levels of participation (Adegborioye, 1984, Falade, 1985).

Parks and gardens are avenues for ones self expression. They provide a conducive atmosphere for relaxation, social interaction and relationship. Encarta dictionary 2006 describes parks as a public or private owned area of land usually laid with grass, trees, paths, sports fields, play grounds, picnic areas and other features for relaxation and recreation.

Gardens on the other hand have been broadly described as abig extensive area lay out and open for relaxation and beauty. Gardens are synonymous to park and in some cases gardens may be more cultivated section of larger parks. Often the difference is merely the name. Parks and gardens are essential outdoor recreation resources that have to be well planned and managed. While some are space intensive. Their management entails close monitoring of the recreation site to chart the direction and character of change. Now the concept of strategic management has been extended to leisure recourses (Mann, 1990).

In the area of study (Federal Capital Territory) the ownership of parks/gardens which also entails in come cases development and management is done by the public, private companies and individuals. In spite of the fact that Abuja in itself is a recreation potential; with its modern day buildings a good evaluation of a natural scenario all round it- good topography, good vegetation cover of both plants, shrubs and trees, a good array of basaltic rocks around its perimeter, a monument with the centre of the country and above all, interesting cultural monument of inhabitants of the region; there is a need to evolve a centre for recreation as a source of recess for the populace in around Abuja.

1.       Statement of Problems

The problem militating against recreational sustainability is that developing countries are competing for people to recreate without developing the much needed infrastructure or linkages in parks and gardens. This is a major problem of Nigeria in which Abuja is not an exception, recreationalist wants to have good and excellent recreational facilities, clean water, secured life etc. however, most parks and gardens in Abuja lack most of the necessary facilities, utilities and services.

Nigerians travel abroad to spend their leisure time in well equipped parks and gardens, but very low figure are recorded for parks and gardens in Nigeria. The factors responsible for this is traced down to lack of awareness, absence of conscious study, mis-management and poor planning.

Another problem which has bedeviled parks and gardens development in this country and the study area in particular in terms of planning and development is the rate of urbanization which is rapid in pace and massive is space.

A major factor responsible for this rapid urbanization is the rural-urban drift due to the pattern of the distribution of socio-economic amenities exclusively based on factor of the urban areas.

This work is therefore geared towards the assessment and of the development and management of Parks and Gardens in the study area.

1.       Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.3.1    Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the development and management of parks and gardens in Central Area Abuja.

1.3.2    Objectives

             To achieve the above aim, the following objectives shall be pursued;

1. To examine the processes in the development of parks and gardens in Abuja.
2. To examine the existing facilities in the parks and gardens in the study area
3. To assess the range of service offer by the parks and gardens.
4. To examine the management strategies in the parks and gardens.
5. To assess the challenges in the development and management of parks and gardens in the study area.

1.       Research Questions
2. What are the processes in the development of parks and gardens in Abuja?
3. What are the existing facilities in the parks and gardens in the study area?
4. What are the range of service offer by the parks and gardens?
5. What are the management strategies in the parks and gardens?
6. What are the challenges in the development and management of parks and gardens in the study area?

1.5       Significance of the Study

The findings of this research will of great significance to the development of authority in the study area such as Federal Capital Development Authority as it will enlighten and remind them about the existence of parks and gardens in the Abuja and will make them ensure that situated in the right place according to Abuja Master plan.

The findings of this study will also be of use to relevant authorities responsible for revenue collections and also tourist and visitors to the FCT as it will service as a guide to them about the gardens and parks in Abuja in terms of location and types of services they offered.

This study also contributes to the wealth knowledge, thus the findings will service as a resource base for future research which researchers and student who wish to make further research on this area of studies will draw knowledge from.

1.6       Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is an evaluation of the development and management of parks and gardens in Abuja with a particular interest is parks and gardens in the central district area of the Federal capital territory. The scope of the study is limited to Wonderland and Amusement  parks and Nelson Nuek parks and garden. The study will assess the development and management of parks and gardens in terms of spatial distribution, management framework and characteristics in order to make recommendations that would improve the quality and proper management of parks and gardens for the populace in the central area in Abuja.

Limitation

A good number of problems were encouraged during the course of this project; these problems include time constraint, lack of database for the development and management of parks and gardens in Abuja. All these formed the limitation and constraints in the course of study. But despite these challenges the researcher was able to conclude the work.

1.       Definition of Terms

Parks: Parks can simply be defined as a public or private owned area of land usually laid with grass, trees, paths, sports field, play grounds, picnic areas and other features for relaxation and recreation. (Encarta dictionary 2006).

Gardens: Gardens can be defined as an extensive area laid out and open for relaxation and beauty. ( Mann, 1990).

Environment: Environment can be defined as the total sum of external condition influencing the growth of an organism. (Burton, 1974)

Recreation: Recreation could be defined as an activity engaged in by the individual after work. (Knudson, 1980).

Development: Development is the act of creating and maintaining the environment and the emergency. Therefore that forms the artificial environment. (Falade, 1987).

1.8       Historical Background of Abuja

Abuja, virgin land turned Nigeria’s federal capital and symbol of unity, wields much more infrastructure and commercial investments than meets the eye. Abuja was created in 1976 by the federal military government of the late general Murtala Mohamed via decree No.6 of the same year; the city has unequivocally revolved as Nigeria revolved as Nigeria’s second best inspiration after independence from colonialism.

Prior to its creation, Nigeria was administered form Lagos as its capital, which was constitutionally recognized and empowered to functions as a state. This was due to the fact that the main seaport, industrial and commercial activates were all centered in Lagos. This resulted into perennial cases of traffic jams, intolerable congestion, inadequate infrastructural and social amenities as well as lack of land for further expansion. These put together rendered the city ineffective as seat of government.

The search for a new capital for Nigeria began earnest on 9^th August, 1975, when the Federal Military Government set up the justice Akinola Aguda panel to examine the dual role of Lagos as both federal and state capital and advice on the desirability or otherwise of Lagos retaining that role.

The Aguda Panel was mandated to, among other things, recommend which of the two governments, federal or state should move to a new location in the circumstance of finding Lagos not suitable for its dual role. Where it decided that the Federal and not the state should move, the panel was to recommend a suitable alternative site as the new Federal capital. The panel submitted its report in December 1975 and declared Lagos incapable of shouldering the dual role of being the Nation’s capital as well as that of state in addition to being the commercial and industrial nerve-centre of the country.

It therefore recommended that the federal capital of Nigeria be removed from Lagos and be sited in a vast, virgin territory in the country’s heartland.

The choice of Abuja by the panel was determined by factors such as: centrality of location, easy accessibility from all parts of the country’s healthy climate conditions, low population density availability of land for future expansion, physical planning convenience and ethnic accord.

Geographical Setting

The federal capital territory is located in the geographical centre of Nigeria. It has a land area 8,000 square kilometers. It is bounded on the north by Kaduna state, the west by Niger state, the east and southeast by Nasarawa state, the southwest by Kogi state. It falls within latitudes 7⁰ 20’ north of the equator and longitude 6⁰ 45’ and 7⁰ 39’.

The FCT natural endowments such as; its rolling hills, isolated highlands and other endearing features make it a delight. The savannah grassland of the north and the middle belt, the south and as equable climate all combined make the FCT a soil-rich agricultural haven.

Weather and Climate

As in the tropics, the FCT experience two weather conditions annually. These are the raining season (the equivalent of winter in the temperate region) and the dry season (the equivalent of summer in the temperate climate). The rainy season begins from April and ends in October. Within this period, there is brief interlude of harmatan occasioned by the North east trade wind, with the main feature of dust haze, intensified coldness and dryness, fortunately, the high altitudes and undulating terrain of the FCT acts as moderating influence on the weather of the territory.

Rainfall in the FCT reflects the territory’s location on the windward side of the Jos plateau and the zone of rising air masses. The annual total rainfall is in the range of 1100mm to 1600mm.

Relief and Geology

Relief and geology of the city consist of uplands and plain with numerous inselberges and the other rocks outcrops of varying sizes. Inselbergs and other granite clusters occupy about 8( eight) percent of the total plains area and more generally bare and rocky, varying in sizes and occurring as isolated masses  or group rising amply from the plains.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil of study area is clay and loam, and the area now designated the federal capital territory falls within the savannah zone vegetation of the West African Sub-region. Patches of rain forest, however, occur in the Gwagwa plains, especially in the gullied train to the south and the rugged south-eastern parts of the territory.

These areas of the FCT form one of the surviving occurrences of the mature forest vegetation in Nigeria. The dominant vegetation of the territory is, however, classified into three savannah types.

1. The park or grassy savannah:- this is about 53 percent(i.e. 4.231 square km) of the total area of the FCT vegetation occurs annually and three species found include; Albizia, Zygia,
2. The savannah woodland: – this region covers 12.8 percent of 1,026 square km of the territory. It occurs mostly on the Gurara, Robo and Robochi plains and surrounding hills. Common trees found in this region include; afzelia, Africana anogeissus.
3. The shrub savannah: – this class of vegetation occurs extensively in rough terrain close to hill and ridges in all parts of the territory. It covers about 12.9 percent or 1,031 square km of the land area. Tree species found in it include antiarics Africana, anthocleistanobils.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY AREA.

      The most predominant economic activities of the people of Abuja are grouped into two

1. Farming and
2. Office work

An indigene of Abuja (Gwari) engages in farming activities. It has been noted that more than 80% of indigenes are involve in farming precisely crops production.

Majority of the settler are involved or engaged in office work i.e. government ministries parastals, agencies and private organizations.