CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

THE NEED FOR A DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE

Disaster means a progressive or sudden, widespread or localised, natural or human caused occurrence which causes or threatens to cause; Death, injury or disease, Damage to property, infrastructure or the environment, Disruption of the life of a community; and is of the magnitude that exceeds the ability of those affected by the disaster to cope with its effect using only their own resources. A disaster management centre is needed to:

To implement an integrated and coordinate disaster management policy that focuses on preventing or reducing the risk disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, emergency preparedness, rapid and effective response to disasters and post disaster recovery.

To prepare the document that will identify risks, assess risks, risk response development and risk response control.

The purpose of centre is to outline policy and procedures for both proactive disaster prevention and the re-active disaster response and mitigation phases.

The disaster management centre functions are as follows:

Must specialise in issues concerning disasters within Rivers State.

Act as a repository and conduit for information concerning disasters.

Must perform it functions and exercise powers as stipulated section 44 of the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002.

Must liaise and co-ordinate its activities with those of National, State Management centres.

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1.2 STATEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEMS

Architecture is an abstraction from nature and intuition with possibilities of aesthetic accompaniments for overall ambient satisfaction (Fashuyi, 2004). Nevertheless, this ideological perception must graft with sensitive issues bordering on culture, economy before Architecture can become acceptable in its right values. However, Architectural Education in Nigeria as presently structured is not responsive to her socio-economic environment. In fact, it is more suited to problems of urban environment of prosperous economies having nothing in common with the cultural and economic features of the country (Adesina, 1987). Architectural Education in Nigeria was inherited from the Beaux-Art concept of Western educational philosophy through the colonial mentors. This tendency is to provide aesthetically satisfying buildings, irrespective of function.

The design of the Disaster Management Centre will take into cognisance proper functional relationship between each section of the building to another; the site is located at an area that can be easily accessible from various parts of the state, helicopters are also available to ease rescue in parts of the states that cannot be easily assessable by land, the structure is responsive to the socio-economic environment in the state, the structure is aesthetically satisfying, the structure conforms to the building codes and zoning.

Therefore architectural problems of the Disaster Management Centre Are as follows:

The integration of architectural purpose, site, suitable spaces, technical systems and materials.

Inadequate ventilation and natural lightening

Primary and secondary circulation in and around the site.

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1.3 MOTIVATION

Disaster Management is an enormous task. Disasters are not confined to any particular location; neither do they disappear as quickly as they appear. Therefore, it is imperative that there is proper management to optimize efficiency of planning and response. Due to limited resources, collaborative efforts at the governmental, private and community levels are necessary. This level of collaboration requires a coordinated and organized effort to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and their effects in the shortest possible time.

The motivation of this project steams from:

The absolute necessity for such a project: Over the years, lives have been lost in natural and man-made disaster primarily due to absence of a disaster management centre or slow response of rescue team.

The wealth of knowledge, which the project adds to existing information on architectural building types.

The sense of comfort and security inspired by the project, being from the riverine area in the Niger Delta region where the terrain is difficult and inter-city transport is mostly done by boat, the potential for boat mishaps is rather high.

To reduce subsequent insurance claims and compensation on government and insurance companies.

The passion to create an avenue that will aid for relief to all disaster victims.

To create awareness for the need of disaster management.

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1.4 AIMS

To provide a facility that will improve response to disasters for an initial period after which other sources would assist.

To reduce confusion on the part of all personnel concern in disasters.

To enhance the role of rapid deployment of its personnel in response to emergency

Preventing or reducing the risk of disasters and mitigating the severity or consequences of disasters

A rapid and effective response to disasters and post- disaster recovery and rehabilitation.

To ensure the survival of the maximum possible number of victims, keeping them in the best possible health in the circumstances.

To re-establish self-sufficiency and essential services as quickly as possible for all population groups, with special attention to those whose needs are greatest: the most vulnerable and underprivileged.

To repair or replace damaged infrastructure and regenerate viable economic activities. To do this in a manner that contributes to long-term development goals and reduces vulnerability to any future recurrence of potentially damaging hazards.

In cases involving population displacements (due to any type of disaster) the aim is to find durable solutions as quickly as possible, while ensuring protection and assistance as necessary in the meantime.

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1.5 OBJECTIVES

To create a building for imparting training in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, relief and rehabilitation and also to undertake research studies, documentation and development of database.

Organize state and regional level conferences/workshops in disaster management and related subjects.

To develop and encourage NGO's network in the state to manage disasters in the state.

to reduce or avoid the human, physical, and economic losses suffered by individuals, by the society, and by the country at large

To reduce personal suffering and to speed recovery.

1.10    SCOPE OF PROJECT:

This project provides, to a satisfactory level, all the facilities that are needed in the disaster management centre for optimum performance

to manage disaster. There are provisions for effective control, relief and rescue of disasters by mitigating, preparedness, response and

recovery.

The scope of the project is limited to the following;

The design of the Administrative building

The clinic

A staff residential building

Hanger for helicopter

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1.10.1  THE SITE:

This project involves the design of a Centre that aids for Disaster Management, thus, due to the amphibiotic nature of its function, the facility would require a site that enhances the marine and land base operation, and hence, it is located within the southern section of Port Harcourt. It can also be accessible through various pedestrian routes emanating from the neighbouring residential zones. This will be dutifully respected in the cause of designing.

The site is in close proximity to the State secretariat, the Nigerian marine base, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Orobum Vimmage (now called Obunabali). Ogbunabali bound the site on the East, the far North by Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, to the West by the Amadi flat and old GRA Residential Quarters and the South by Marine Base.

The exterior element in the site include

Parking lots

Sign post

Main building

Clinic

Heliport

Staff Accommodation

Power plant.

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1.10.2  THE MAIN BUILDING: The sections in the Disaster Management Centre include:

Administrative unit

Control unit

Training unit

Maintenance unit

The Aviation operation

The Marine operation

The land operation

Finance unit

Relief and rehabilitation unit

Ware house

Conference hall

Search and rescues unit.

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The Administrative unit:

This is the first point of call as one gets into the building, this department is responsible for all staff matters, appointments, records of service, welfare of officers, employment etc. This section is responsible for personnel functions and employee services, Personnel functions cover tracking staff and disaster deployments, obtaining local hires, arranging billeting, and processing payroll while Employee services include providing for personnel health and safety, overseeing access to medical services, and ensuring security of personnel, facilities, and assets.

Control Unit:

This is one of the most important units in the centre, it takes care of all emergency calls and make sure they are transmitted as clearly and as fast as possible to the squad responsible for that particular disaster. The unit will have communication gadgets such as pager systems, walking talkie, phones, radars, satellites, reception systems global positioning system (G.P.S), to guide the development of a comprehensive information and communication system and establish integrated communication links with all disaster risk management role players.

This unit has two major tasks: the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of information about disaster operations to support planning and decision making in the field and at the headquarters’ levels; and the coordination of short- and long-term planning in the field.

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The Training unit:

This unit will be responsible for the training of the rescue squads and will feature necessary fitness facilities. It is also a unit that aids to promote a culture of risk avoidance among people by capacitating role players through integrated education, training and public awareness programmes informed by scientific research.

The department of trai