PROGRAMME MANDATES AND ACTIVITIES

The "Centre’s 2020 Vision" report by the Review Team proposed that the Centre’s mandate, objectives and its functional programmes should be re-defined to reflect the rapidly changing technologies as well as the socio-economic and operational needs of the member States. Therefore during the restructuring of the Centre in 2000, the reformulation of its functional programmes was based on the rationale that the programmes should move away from a service technology framework to problem solving applications in natural resource development and environmental management.
The following functional programmes were proposed and approved during the 34th Governing Council of the Centre that was held in Nairobi in December 2000.

• Resource Mapping
  
• Remote Sensing and Environmental Management
  
• Engineering Services
  
• Human Resources Development and Management

RESOURCE MAPPING PROGRAMME

The mandates of programme are to undertake the following for its clients:

• Field data collection for mapping using different techniques and provision of accurate datum transformation parameters for mapping unification;

• Implementation of aerial surveying projects as required by clients and advise on new technological approaches in aerial photography and photogrammetry;

• Preparation of thematic and related graphical data layers required for the development of digital database, as well as for photolithographic reproduction;

• Provision of training for new technology users in space positioning, GIS/LIS applications, digital mapping and other recent advances in mapping technology;

• Carrying out research in cadastral processes to speed up land registration.

To undertake these activities, the Centre has acquired the necessary equipment, which includes GPS, survey instruments etc. Due to high cost of maintaining an aircraft for aerial photography, the Centre opted not to purchase its own aircraft, but instead it hires one when need arises. The programme collaborates with different partners in implementing its activities. The current key partners are:

• OFEK Aerial Photography & Mapping Ltd., Israel

• Highland Surveyors, Kenya

• Geomaps (E.A.) Ltd.

• MAPS Geo-systems Ltd, Dubai, UAE

The on-going activities of the programme are:

Training

In the period under review, the Programme participated in the training courses that were offered by the Remote Sensing and Environment Program by offering training in GPS as a tool for digital data collection for GIS and digital mapping. The Programme organized three regional training courses, one each in AFREF and GNSS data processing, digital photogrammetry and digital cartography. Two regional training courses on AFREF and GNSS data processing and Land Information Management Systems are scheduled for August and October 2007 respectively.

The Programme also undertook the following training courses outside the Centre:

• 2 weeks GPS and Total Station training in Malawi.

• 2 weeks GPS course in Ethiopia

• Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping Third Country Training for Eastern and Southern African countries course in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

The programme completed the development of its training curriculum for a new course in digital photogrammetry

The following one-month training courses are conducted each year:

• Modern data processing and digital data development for land surveyors (February and July);

• Fundamentals of modern land surveying (March and August);

• Concepts of Land Information System (LIS) (April and September); and

• Introduction to digital mapping using satellite data (June and November).

Coordination of African Reference Framework (AFREF)

The African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) is conceived as a unified geodetic reference frame for Africa. It will be the fundamental basis for the national three-dimensional reference networks fully consistent and homogeneous with the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). When fully implemented, its backbone will consist of a network of continuous, permanent GPS stations such that a user anywhere in Africa would have free access to, and would be at most 1000km from, such stations. Full implementation will include a unified vertical datum and support for efforts to establish a precise African geoid, in concert with the African Geoid project activities.

The Centre in collaboration with its member States, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Directorate of Surveys and Mapping of South Africa and International Association of Geodesy (IAG) have been at the forefront of promoting the implementation of AFREF project by all African countries. In this regard, the project was endorsed during the Committee on Development Information (CODI) meeting of UNECA, which was held in Addis Ababa in May 2003 for implementation by all African countries.

• To define the continental reference system of Africa. Establish and maintain a unified geodetic reference network as the fundamental basis for the national 3-d reference networks fully consistent and homogeneous with the global reference frame of the ITRF;
• To realize a unified vertical datum and support efforts to establish a precise African geoid, in concert with the African Geoid project activities;
• To establish continuous, permanent GPS stations such that each nation or each user has free access to, and is at most 500km from, such stations;
• To provide a sustainable development environment for technology transfer, so that these activities will enhance the national networks, and numerous applications, with readily available technology;
• To understand the necessary geodetic requirements of participating national and international agencies and;
• To assist in establishing in-country expertise for implementation, operations, processing and analyses of modern geodetic techniques, primarily GPS.

The sub-commission has been constituted and its members are as follows:

Regional Centres
RCMRD
RECTAS
AOCRS
Countries
Full Members
Algeria
Egypt
Mozambique
South Africa

Associate members
Mauritius
Moroco
Nigeria
The Centre is working jointly with the IAG Sub-Commission on AFREF to implement the identified activities.

Projects Implemented

Coordination of the African Reference Frame (AFREF )

The Director General of RCMRD is the chairman of the AFREF steering committee. The centre continued to coordinate the project at the AFREF project at continental level. The first technical workshop to discuss the technical details and specifications for implementing the AFREF project which was to be held in February 2006 at Cape Town, South Africa was postponed to July 2006. The workshop is intended to bring together geodesists from National Mapping Organizations, universities and research institutions and agree on the modalities of implementation such as setting up of tracking stations, data analysis centre and data holding centers.

The Centre assisted Survey of Kenya of the Ministry of Lands in Kenya, to reactivate three GPS continuous operating stations which were non functional. The stations are located in Kisumu, Eldoret and Kabarnet towns.

In April 2006, the Centre established one GPS continuous operating station in its compound. The station is part of the efforts to establish AFREF. It will also be used to for demonstration and training of geodesist from Africa.

A technical workshop was held at the University of Cape Town, South Africa in July 2006. It drew participation from 30 African states, mostly from national mapping organisations. During the workshop eleven countries committed to the establishing of one Continuous Operating Reference Station by the end of 2006. The countries are Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Namibia, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique, Benin, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The AFREF Steering Committee selected RCMRD to be the Secretariat for the AFREF project. A quarterly newsletter is expected to be a forum for exchange of experiences and information on ongoing AFREF initiatives and activities. The secretariat produced the first three AFREF newsletters in August 2006, January 2007 and May 2007.

On 30 April 2007, Dr. W. Ottichilo, Chairman of the AFREF Steering Committee, presented a report on AFREF at the Committee for Development Information (CODI) V meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The report highlighted AFREF activities in the period 2004-2006.

Mount Kenya Forest Mapping and Boundary Survey Phase II

After the successful completion of Phase I of the project mentioned, Phase II was awarded by UNEP in August 2006. The objective is to map / survey the boundary between plantation and indigenous forests in Mt. Kenya Forest and National Reserve. The project is being executed jointly with RSEMP and Highland Surveyors. Its completion is expected by 2007.

 Geodetic Network Survey in Lilongwe, Malawi

As of part of training in the use of GPS, a project involving determination of transformation parameters between WGS 84 system and the local system was carried out. GPS observations were made on ten existing survey pillars and transformation parameters for Lilongwe determined.

Catalogue of Available Fundamental Geo-Spatial Datasets for Africa, and Country Gap Analysis

RCMRD was commissioned by Human Science Research Council of South Africa to carry out a survey to catalogue available fundamental geo-spatial datasets and undertake gap analysis for 12 countries in the eastern Africa region. The countries are Burundi, Ethiopia, Comoros, Kenya, Eritrea, Djibouti, Seychelles, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Somalia and Rwanda. The project is under the auspices of the "Mapping Africa for Africa" (MAFA) initiative, launched by CODI of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in collaboration with the International Cartographic Association (ICA). The project, which started in May 2006, was completed in December 2006. The report was presented at the CODI V meeting in Addis Ababa in May 2007.

Kamburu Dam Monitoring

The seven forks hydro electric power area in Kenya along Tana River has five large dams. The Centre was commissioned to carry out highly accurate precise survey to determine the verticality of the dam’s inflow gates. In 2005 survey of gate two of Kamburu dam completed. In February and June 2006, gate one at Gitaru and gate one of Kamburu were surveyed respectively.To check the verticality sticker marks (see white marks on the opposite photo) were made on the rail tracks of the gates and using reflectoreless total station, the marks were surveyed from different control points established around and within the dam site.

A precise survey to monitor Kamburu dam gate no. two was carried out in September 2006. The dam, which is on Tana River in Kenya, is used for generation of hydro-electric power. The gate had problems in closing and opening and it was suspected that some deformations were taking place. The task of RCMRD was to carry out precise surveys on relevant paths and beams used by the sliding gates. The work was completed in October 2006.

RCMRD Surveyors under the bridge picking the white marks on the

Assessment of the Potential of Land Suitability Mapping and Spatial Planning for Managing Lake Victoria Basin

The work commenced in March 2006 was for the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP). Its objective were: to assess the potential of land suitability mapping based on physiological, environmental/ecological and socio-economic information; to assess the potential usefulness of spatial planning for managing the Lake Victoria Basin and in particular in reducing nutrient inflows into the lake; and to recommend the most appropriate implementation strategy. The project was completed in November 2006.

Survey of New District Boundaries in Kenya

The Centre was involved in the survey of new district boundaries in Kenya. Assistance was give to Survey of Kenya in terms of skilled staff and equipment to undertake the survey in eight districts

Survey of New District Boundaries in Kenya-Phase 2

The Centre was involved in the survey of new district boundaries in Kenya. Four districts were surveyed in addition to eight other districts surveyed earlier.

Oza Ranch Survey

The project involved the cadastral survey of a 30,000 acres ranch in Kenya using GPS technology. The survey was completed in July 2006.

Survey of Tunnel for Hydro-Power Project

The survey consisted of engineering survey for setting out a two Kilometre penstock tunnel for the Sondu-Miriu Power project in Kenya. The project lasted three weeks and was completed in December 2006.

Project proposals submitted

1. Updating and digitization of engineering drawings for Nairobi Water Company – March 2006
   

2. Topographic Survey of USAID site in Juba, South Sudan – USAID –January 2006
   

3. Oza ranch cadastral survey submitted to Oza ranch company in April 2006
   

4. Establishment of 32 Ground Control Points for a mapping project in Kenya – JRC of Italy – June 2006
   

5. Survey and Mapping of 150 km road corridor in Kenya for Abdulmulluck Consultant Engineers – June 2006
   

6. Survey of Power lines routes submitted to Ministry of Energy, Kenya- June 2006

7. Survey of two kilometers tunnel submitted to Heavy Engineering Company-November 2006

8. Topographic survey for Kenya Institute of Administration land in Nairobi-May 2007

9. Baseline survey and formulation of monitoring framework for Lake Victoria Environmental Programme-March 2007

10. Photogrammetric mapping of irrigation scheme in Shire River -February 2007

11. Survey of Malindi Marine Park and Sibiloi National Park – March 2007

Capacity Building Activities

a) Training

In March 2007, RCMRD established the first permanent reference station in Kenya as part of the AFREF initiative. The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Lands officially launched the station. Leica Geosystems supported the establishment of the station both in technical input and a financial sponsorship in the donating of the complete system to the Centre. The system consists of a Leica GRX1200 Pro GG receiver, a Leica AT504 GG Choke Ring antenna and the Leica GPS Spider Software and Site Server as well as the Leica GNSS QC Software for quality control and data analysis

The following facilities were established at the RCMRD:

• Photogrammetric lab
• Geodetic Lab
• Continuous Operating Reference Station

Publications

1. Topographic Map Revision using SPOT satellite data. H.O.Farah, V. Mtaroni and W.Ottichilo. Accepted for presentation in AARSE conference in Cairo Egypt October/November 2006

2. AFREF, Establishment of a Common and Modern African Co-ordinate System. C.M. Kamamia, H.O.Farah and W.Ottichilo Accepted for presentation in AARSE conference in Cairo Egypt October/November 2006.

3. Establishment of GNSS geodetic network in South Sudan – Submitted to GNSS conference in Lusaka, Zambia July 2006

4. Measurement of Trends and the Contribution of Geo-information in the Creation of Employment. Siriba, D. and Farah, H.O. submitted to South African Journal of Surveying and Geo-information, April 2007.

5. Topographic Map Revision using SPOT satellite Data. Farah, H.O. and Mtaroni, L.V. Proceedings of AARSE conference –Nov. 2006, Cairo, Egypt

6. Establishment of GNSS geodetic network in South Sudan – Submitted to GNSS conference in Lusaka, Zambia, July 2006

7. Land Management Information System in Knowledge Economy. What options are there for Kenya? Siriba, D. and Farah, H.O. Proceeding of Land Management Information Systems in the Knowledge Economy Conference. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa , November 2006, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

8. The city development strategy and cities without slums initiative at the municipal council of Kisumu – Anangwe, B.O., Farah, H.O. and Ottichilo, W .K . Proceedings of AARSE conference –Nov. 2006, Cairo, Egypt

9. Measurement of Trends and the Contribution of Geo-information in the Creation of Employment. Siriba, D. and Farah, H.O. Submitted to South African Journal of Surveying and Geo-information, April 2007.

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REMOTE SENSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (RESEMP)

Remote sensing and environment management activities focus on increasing the awareness of the environmental concerns and the new developments in environmental information technology. The activities undertaken are:

• Environmental data archiving
  
• Maintenance of early warning systems for food security and monitoring of the environment
  
• Collection, compilation and utilization of remote sensing data for environmental assessment
  
• Capacity building in remote sensing, GIS and data base development
  
• Research in environmental assessment and management aimed at addressing urgent environmental problems in the member States
  
• Provision of consultancy services in environmental impact assessment and development of digital databases.

To facilitate the implementation of these activities, the programme has developed and acquired the necessary facilities. The facilities include microwave link for the reception of METEOSAT and NOAA satellite, satellite data archive, laboratories for satellite image processing and digital cartography, relevant hardware and software. On human resources, the programme has on its staff, very experienced natural resources specialists, GIS and Remote Sensing specialists and technicians. The programme also collaborates with various local and international partners in implementing specific projects.

Projects Implemented

During the reporting period, RSEMP implemented several projects, some carried forward from 2005.

The projects include the following :

Mapping Gums and Resins in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA)

This project was funded by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and was implemented in conjunction with the Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA). The project aimed at mapping the location and extent of Gums and Resins producing acacia species in the GHA using high resolution satellite imagery and environmental datasets such as land use / land cover, elevation, soil, and agro-ecological zones. A regional as well as country level maps were produced showing the locations and extends of the three major gums and resins producing species of Acacia Senegal, Commiphora and Boswellia. The project commenced in June 2004 and was completed in September 2005. Currently, there are plans to commence the second phase that will see production of more refined maps at larger scales.

Mapping of the City of Nairobi Using High Resolution QuickBird Imagery

This was a Pilot Project that was implemented jointly with Maps Geosystems Ltd of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) under an initiative called Community GIS (CommGIS). The Project aimed at developing a new strategy for mapping through formulation of GIS communities that share the cost of database development and data/information, thereby on the one hand, reduce per capita expenditure for data development for the community members and on the other hand increase the quality and quantity of data/information shared. The project brought together 23 stakeholders and used high resolution QuickBird satellite imagery and data provided by the stakeholders to develop a detailed GIS database of the City of Nairobi . The Project which started in 2003 ended in February 2005.

Land use / Land cover Mapping of the Amboseli National Park

This project was part of the Meta-Elephant Study Initiative and was implemented jointly with the African Conservation Centre (ACC). The project aimed at developing a land use/land cover map of the Amboseli National Park in Kenya using high resolution Landsat Satellite imagery. Besides deriving the land use/land cover map, two staff of ACC were also trained in modern mapping techniques using remote sensing, GIS and GPS. The project began in September 2004 and ended in September 2005.

Wetland Mapping of the Kenyan Portion of Lake Victoria Basin

This project was implemented for the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme (LVEMP) and was sub-contracted to the Centre by SMEC International of Australia in March 2005. The project entailed mapping wetlands in the Kenyan portion of Lake Victoria Basin based on high resolution Landsat satellite imagery for basin-wide wetlands mapping and QuickBird satellite imagery for higher scale mapping of two selected wetlands sites in Kericho and Eldoret. Outputs for the project included a basin-wide wetland map and two wetlands site maps at higher scale; a comprehensive GIS database of the project area; a sensitization workshop; and training of LVEMP staff in the use of GPS technology in collection of field data was conducted. The project was successfully completed in May 2005.

Forest Cover Mapping and Change Detection of the Loita Purko Forest , Kenya

This project was undertaken using Participatory GIS approach and was contracted to the Centre by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The Centre implemented the project in collaboration with a Maasai Community Based Organization (CBO) called the Loita / Purko Naimina Enkiyo Forest Project, beginning with a Pilot Phase that entailed mapping part of the Loita Forest . Landsat satellite imagery of the pilot project area acquired in 1991 and 2003 were used to map the forest and subsequently undertake change detection. Outputs of the project included Land use / land cover maps; change detection map; 3 trained staff of the CBO in the use of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS in Land use / Land cover mapping and change detection; and a comprehensive GIS database of the pilot project area. Currently, a proposal for Phase II of the project that will involve mapping the rest of forest has been written and submitted to IUCN.

Development of baseline GIS Database for Djibouti

The development of spatial database that could serve as a baseline data for any development projects in Djibouti was done here at the Centre during this reporting period. The project involved the development of GIS database for the country for purposes of planning, management and monitoring of resources. The GIS database was also intended to support the establishment of national GIS laboratory. The outputs included 12 topographic maps both in digital and hard copy formats covering the whole country at a scale of 1:100,000. The project was sponsored by USAID and completed and handed over to the Clients in March 2005. Similar project was also conducted for Hargessa town in Somalia that focused on simplification and extraction of major town elements from existing old maps of Hargessa Town . The work was completed in two week and the results submitted to the clients in the same month of August, 2005.

Urban Mapping of 10 Towns in South Sudan

The main objectives of the project were (i) to produce maps of the ten state capitals in the Southern Sudan and develop the related spatial database, (ii) to build the local capacity for sustainable use of Geoinformation technology in day-to-day urban planning and management activities and (iii) to establish digital database that will serve in urban planning and management at least for next twenty years. The consultancy project was financed by USAID with Creative Associates International INC (CAII) as main contractor. It was awarded to the Centre in August 2005 and successfully completed in January 2006.

Map/Survey of the Boundary delineation of Plantation and Indigenous Forest in Mt. Kenya

 The Mount Kenya forest mapping and boundary delineation project was sponsored by UNEP and awarded to the Centre in August 2005. The project is basically focusing on delineation of forest boundaries between the plantation forests and indigenous forest in order to have a clear definition of responsibilities between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Forest Department (FD). The remote sensing part of the project was undertaken by the department and was completed in December 2006. The survey component was undertaken jointly with Highland Surveyors.

Safaricom Network Infrastructure and Demographic Mapping Solution project

This consultancy project was implemented on behalf of the Safaricom Plc., Kenya, a private mobile telephone operating company to assess potential expansion areas for the mobile telephone network and to identify potential markets. In this project, location of barriers, population distribution and density, base landsat image, population settlement areas like towns, cities and villages, educational institutions location and road network mapping were undertaken. The project was completed, the spatial database developed for the project and results of the analysis were handed over to the clients.

Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) Project for Generating Digital Spatial Maps and Image Mosaic for Lake Victoria and Its Surroundings

The LVFO project was funded by the European Union aimed at production of a spatial database and mapping of fish landing sites, fish processing factories around the lake. The main outputs of the project were maps and the spatial database. The database contains the road network, towns, land-use / land cover map, wetland map, fish landing sites, fish factories, DEM, bathymetry, map of islands greater than one square kilometre in area, administrative boundaries from national to sub-location level, and a mosaic of Landsat ETM+ image. The project was completed and the deliverables handed over to the LVFO.

Kenyan Electoral Commission Project

The Kenyan Electoral Commission project is funded by the Government of Kenya. The main purpose of the project is to map the administration boundaries, constituencies, polling stations, road network, and drainage network and service centres with precision, for use in the next general election. The spatial database is to be linked to the voters’ database, and easy query and display system to be developed. The on-going project is being implemented in a participatory approach where both cartographers from the Centre and ECK are working harmoniously to come up with high quality data that will facilitate decision-making in the election process.

Development of a data capture interface, and linking a health database to GIS for mapping diseases in the Eastern Africa Region

This project was funded by the East African Community Health Secretariat in Arusha Tanzania. The objective was to develop a common data entry standard in the East African Community member country hospitals and health centres on eighteen types of communicable diseases. In the project, integration of GIS and Health Information System was undertaken so enable mapping of diseases with geographic features and attribute elements.

GUM and Resin Mapping in Karamoja Area in Uganda

The Global Monitoring for Food Security (GMFS) is a continental project funded jointly by the EU and ESA and focuses mainly on developing remote sensing based yield forecast methods for countries in Africa. RCMRD is working with a private company, EFTAS in Germany, on crop acreage estimation using both passive and active remote sensing data. The focal countries are Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. The major phase of crop area mapping and ground truthing was conducted for Sudan. Following will be Ethiopia. A capacity building component of the project is being implemented through training of staff members of the Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Agriculture.

Gum and Resin Mapping Project in Karamojong district:

This project for mapping of Gum and Resin potential in the northern Uganda, Karamojong region is being implemented by RCMRD in collaboration with NGARA under the office of His Excellency the President of Uganda. The project was funded by the Ugandan government. In this project, potential areas for dry land products and other medicinal plants were identified from recent Landsat and SPOT images and confirmed through ground truthing by experts on arid Land Resources.

South Sudan town planning Project:

This was a town planning and capacity building project funded by USAID and jointly implemented by RCMRD and Creative Associates. The role of the regional centre was to prepare training materials for town mapping and planning and provide training to technicians involved in town planning and management in ten state capitals of Southern Sudan.

Kampala City Council (KCC) project

In collaboration with the UN-Habitat and the Municipality of Kampala City, the Centre implemented a GIS project that focused on spatial database development and capacity building for the Kampala Municipality. Most of the analogue data of the town planning section were converted to digital formats and the database edited. New Quickbird satellite imagery was acquired for Kampala city, and a complete and updated town map prepared. A month’s training was provided to members of the Municipality and other relevant organizations in Uganda. The training covered some basic remote sensing data processing, Quickbird data interpretation, database management, GPS reading, geo-referenced data collection, scanning and digitizing, and map preparation and printing.

Monthly preparation and Dissemination of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) Early Warning Bulletin on Food Security

This activity was started in 2002 and is on-going. It is a joint activity between the Centre and its partners (FEWSNET, IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre-ICPAC, International Livestock Research Institute- ILRI, United Nations World Food Programme, United States Geological Survey –USGS, Desert Locust Control Organization-DLCO and USAID).

Global Monitoring for Food Security (GMFS) Ground Truthing and Mapping:

The GMFS is a continental project funded jointly by the EU and ESA and focuses mainly on developing remote sensing based yield forecast methods for countries in Africa. RCMRD is working with a private company, EFTAS in Germany, on crop acreage estimation using both passive and active remote sensing data. The focal countries are Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. The major phase of crop area mapping and ground truthing was conducted for Sudan. Following will be Ethiopia. A capacity building component of the project is being implemented through training of staff members of the Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Agriculture.

Malawi Town mapping and map updating project:

In October and November, 2006, two GIS projects were implemented in Malawi by RCMRD in collaboration with the Survey Department, Ministry of Lands. National 1:50,000 topographic maps were updated. Cartographic designing, map-making and printing of the composite map for a topographic map sheet in Malawi were accomplished. A QuickBird image of Lilongwe city was interpreted and a town map of land-use, road network, and service centres was developed.

Conflict mapping project in Southern Sudan

This project was financed by USAID and implemented by the Centre in collaboration of Mercy Corps. In this project seven different maps indicating major conflicts, ethnic distribution, returnees, LRA and other armed forces location, natural resources distribution, roads and other communication infrastructure were produced. The project has been completed and the outputs were delivered to the clients.

Urban Mapping: the case of Nasir town mapping in Northeastern part of Southern Sudan

In collaboration with Norwegian People’s Aid and USAID, an urban map was prepared for Nasir town that is located in Northeastern part of Southern Sudan. The map was interpreted from up-to-date Quickbird satellite image and it was printed at scale of 1:5,000. The map is serving as base for all town development planning and access of public facilities and offices in the town.

The Seventeen Towns Database Development and Mapping Project

This project was funded by the UN-Habitat and covers towns from the three Riparian States around Lake Victoria namely: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The main objective was to develop a spatial database for seventeen towns around the lake, and build local capacity of the town administration body to manage and provide services for urban dwellers. The spatial database included urban land-use, cadastre, topography, town map, road network map, draining and water body, sewerage system, transportation system, main service providing institutions location maps, and etcetera. A needs assessment for capacity building was undertaken, courses designed and candidates identified.

Spatial database creation for transboundary environmental project

This project dealt with designing and development of digital data index, codes and map digitization specification for 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 input/output for Southern Somalia and Kenya. Several maps were scanned, rectified and some are also digitized and backed up on a DVD for further use.

Advisory and Consultancy Services

Applied research projects are going on in the Lake Victoria area and the Rift valley of Kenya. These Projects are:

Lake Victoria lake level and water quality study using Remote Sensing Techniques:

The Main objectives of this project are:

• To trace the lake level fluctuations and correlate it with climatic and other variables that would be the possible causes,
• To assess the quality of water in terms of hydrochemistry and aquatic plants and suspended sediments,
• To assess the environmental degradation in the Lake basin and deduce its impacts on the water resources
• To apply radar remote sensing technology on water resources management.

The main partners in this research work are the Uganda and Kenya Fisheries Research Institutions and Vexel in the Netherlands. The research work was completed and a report submitted to the European Space Agency. A manuscript is under preparation for publication of the research results in peer review journals.

Integrated Management of Water Resources in the East African Rift System:

This research project is being implemented in collaboration with the Universities of Nairobi and Kenyatta with funding from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main focus is to assess groundwater potential in the Rift Valley and map its vulnerability to pollution. Parallel researches are being undertaken on geological structure, land-use / land cover changes and its impact on groundwater, the interactions between surface and groundwater, faulting patterns and their kinematics interactions, and hydraulic conductivity of rocks and soil in the Rift. At the end of the research, vulnerability maps will be prepared for Naivasha, Elimentaita-Nakuru and Baringo basins using DRASTIC modeling techniques that take into account GIS spatial analysis.

Seven layers that are required to compute the DRASTIC modeling are have been completed and verification of some of the parameters is going on. The eighth layer included in the DRASTIC modeling concerns the intensity of fracturing and secondary permeability in the rocks. The preliminary result indicated that 20% of the area is under high pollution risk of the groundwater system. The area under higher risk is on the rift floor where industrial farming takes place.

Training Courses

During the reporting year the RSEMP organized and conducted several regular and tailor-made short trainings. Some of the trainings were in collaboration with the Resource Mapping Department. In 2004, 353 persons were trained from 18 countries; in 2005, 371 persons were trained from 16 countries; and in 2006, more than 434 persons from about 15 countries were trained. Below is a sampled inter and intra country comparative chart of trainees for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. Note that any country that did not have above two persons in at least one of the three years does not appear on the chart.

RESEMP conducted short-term training courses in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) during the course of the year 2006. In the period between July 2006 and June 2007, more than 228 professionals and university students were trained in Remote Sensing and GIS. Basic, advanced and applied courses were offered at the Centre. Most of the courses were conducted at the Centre and in Malawi, Djibouti, Botswana, Uganda and Eritrea.

Below is a summary of some of the courses conducted during the reporting period:

1. Introductory Remote Sensing Course at Rwanda National University:

The course was offered at National University of Rwanda to 180 students from Department of Geography and Agricultural Engineering with four of their lecturers. The training programme included development of course syllabus, course materials and laboratory manual. Both theory and practical examinations were also prepared and conducted at the end of the course. The training was sponsored by NUFIC, the Netherlands in the framework higher educational institution capacity building programme.

Students attending Introductory Remote sensing lecture at National University of Rwanda, Butare.

2. In June 2006 the Department conducted an advanced Remote Sensing Training at the Ethiopian Mapping Agency in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The course included historical development of Remote Sensing, advanced image processing techniques such as pan-sharpening and fly through 3D modeling and classification accuracy assessment and finally on projects designing on different applications. There was also a one day fieldwork in which GPS calibration and navigation, identification of the different land cover, degraded land mapping and ground truthing of classified image was undertaken. The practical part of the course was conducting using ERDAS 8.6 software and Satellite data and SRTM data from Southwest Addis Ababa. The course was well followed by senior staff members of the Ethiopian Mapping Agency, and the participants have shown their accumulated experience on digital image processing during the training
   

    

3. Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) training on Basic Remote sensing and its applications in water and land management

   The course, sponsored by the NBI, lasted 27 days and was completed on 04 August 2006. There were 24 participants from Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The training programme included satellite data processing, classification and interpretation, DEM, RADAR Remote Sensing, GIS and Modeling, Land-use land cover mapping and ground truthing. The focus was on soil erosion, deforestation, groundwater potential mapping, surface water body siltation and wetland management.

4. ARCGIS 9x Training for Eritrea Ministry of Education:

   n-the-job training was given where the trainees had worked on a real database on all schools database types in Eritrea. 27 participants attended whose background varied from senior decision making directors to technicians with very good GIS knowledge. A hierarchical database was developed for all schools in the country and mapping was done using GPS data. The training was funded the World Bank

5. ARCGIS 9x Training for Botswana, Department of Surveys and Mapping, Ministry of Lands:

   A 3 weeks training course on Geo-spatial database development and management using ArcGISwas conducted for the staff of the Botswana Department of Surveys and Mapping from 05 to 23 February, 2007. The total number of participants was 36. Of these, 15 technical staff (cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveyors) were trained in ArcGIS Part I and Part II for two weeks. The remaining 21 officers at management and supervisory levels received training on ArcGIS Part I for a week; these officers are expected to lead the vertical and horizontal cascading of ArcGIS to all levels within the department.

6. Regular GIS and Remote Sensing Training:

   Five regular training courses in ArcGIS and RS and GPS basic principles and applications were conducted at the Centre during February to June 2006. Participants were mainly from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and DRC. More than 50 trainees participated in these courses.

   
   RS/GIS and GPS Training

7.  Catholic Organization for Development

The Catholic Organisation for Development sponsored a three weeks training from15 January to 2 February 2007 in Kisumu on Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS. 9 staff of Sustainable Aid in Africa International (SANA), Kisumu municipality, Women in the Fishing Industry (WFIP), Lake Victoria South Water Board, and Community Mobilization for Economic Development and Advancement attended. The objective of was to empower them with the technology to help them to monitor, plan, map and manage water resources, sanitation, etcetera, in order to improve the livelihood of the communities within the city and surroundings areas.

8. Ministry of Roads and Public Works - Roads Department:

From 14 May to13 July 2007, the Ministry of Roads and Public Works, Nairobi sponsored 58 of their staff who began training in Digital Photogrammetry (topographic mapping, orthophoto production and DTM generation); RS (use of satellite data for extraction of spatial data for urban, environment, infrastructure, etcetera mapping ); GPS (identifying locations of features in the field ); GIS (Creating spatial datasets, coding and integrating various layers in mapping and analysis); Total Station; LISTCAD; and AutoCad for surveying.

 

Data Dissemination Activity:

1. GeoNetwork
   
   During the reporting period, FAO GeoNetwork was established at RCMRD, courtesy of FAO and World Food Programme (WFP). The RCMRD GeoNetwork Node contains online spatial data on Agriculture in Africa and can be accessed by interested researchers or institutions free of charge from the website, www.rcmrd.org/geonetwork. The Node also provides metadata on the Centre data assets. The GeoNetwork is constantly being updated in collaboration with the GMFS office in Rome .
   
2. DDS Receiving Station E
   

   The Centre, in collaboration with European Space Agency, has established a satellite data receiving station at the Centre. The station became operational in December, 2006 and receives data in real time from MERIS, ENVISAT, NOAA and SPOT.

   Plans have also been initiated to establish METEOSAT second generation receiving at the Centre.

3. Physical data archive:

   A physical data archiving facility (fire and water proof and humidity and temperature controlled room) has been built for backup data archiving of the Centre.

4. Satellite Data Distribution/ Sale

   Landsat, SPOT, QuickBird, IKONOS satellite images were distributed to different users during the reporting period. Among the clients were GIBB Africa, ICRAF, USAID-S. Sudan. A total of about US$ 50,000 was realized from the distribution / sale.

Project Proposals Prepared and Submitted

1. Development of a GIS based solution for Mumias Sugar Company (Submitted to Mumias Sugar Company)

2. Generating Digital Spatial maps and image mosaics for Lake Victoria and its surroundings. (Awarded to the Centre, EU and EAC fund)

3. Desertification and its treats, combating strategies (Submitted to EU)

4. Flood Management and Monitoring in Southern and Eastern Africa by Satellite SAR (Flood Maasai), Submitted to EU for funding

5. Lembus forest Mapping and Change Detection– Submitted to IUCN (Negotiation is undertaking)

Capacity Building Activities

During the year the capacity building of the Program entailed the following activities

1. Refurbishing Training Laboratories

2. Both GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratories were refurbished. Fifteen new Dell computers with UPS were bought and networked in GIS laboratory.

3. The networking and power cabling system have been reworked for Remote Sensing laboratory.

4. New tiles, air conditioning, tables and chairs were bought and fixed to the GIS laboratory

5. Spatial database archiving room created in Block C and the shelves and tables have been installed. Some of the data on DVD and CDROM are already archived in the room. The fire and water proofing work is planned and some safe cabinets will also be bought.

b) Software

Five stand alone licences of ARCGIS 9 Software were purchased. Also Idrisi Andes version was installed on all computers in the department.

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ENGINEERING SERVICES

The Centre has developed capability and capacity to service and maintain optical and electronic equipment and hardware utilized in resource mapping and environmental management. These equipment and hardware include GPS, theodolites, total stations, photogrammetric machines etc.
The engineering laboratory is well equipped and is electronically linked to Leica Company in Switzerland, which is the leading world company in the manufacture of surveying and mapping equipment and instruments.

The Engineering Section repaired and serviced surveying and mapping equipment in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

The list of instruments serviced, cost of service and replacement cost is tabled below:

Service Missions

 Namibia

During a two weeks mission in March, 2006, twenty four surveying instruments were serviced and calibrated. The cost of service was US$ 9,500.00 in comparison to a replacement value of US$ 143,300.00

Botswana

The section rendered service to Botswana in two missions. At the first mission from 27 March – 07 April, 2006, forty-eight surveying instruments were serviced and calibrated. The cost of service was US$ 24,800.00 as opposed to a replacement value of US$ 204,600.00. At the second mission, 03 – 14 April, 2006, the section serviced three photogrammetric equipments at a cost of US$ 9,000.00. The replacement value of the same equipment is US$ 45,000.00

Malawi

The section rendered its services to Malawi for two weeks in September, 2006. Twenty three instruments were serviced and calibrated. The cost of service was 13,240 while the replacement cost is US $ 160,000.00

Uganda

In a three weeks mission (18 September – 04 October, 2006), the section serviced four photogrammetric equipments, namely, one A10, one B8 and two A8 for the Uganda government. The cost of service was US$ 4,800, while replacement value is US$ 120,000.00

Tanzania

Thirty two surveying instruments were serviced and calibrated during a two weeks mission in October, 2006 at a cost of service US$14,300. Here, the replacement value of the same instrument is US$ 240,400.00.

Kenya

The service in Kenya was periodic over the year, whereby, 34 surveying instruments were serviced at a cost of US$6,158. The replacement value is US$ 143,300.

The total service rendered to the countries listed above amounted to US$ 81,798.00 against a new replacement of instruments figure of US$ 1,056,600.00.

Training

One Engineer attended a week’s refresher course of servicing Total Stations at Leica factory – Switzerland from 19-23 June, 2006. He was trained in software maintenance of TPS 1000, TPS 300 – 700 series.

Three engineers were trained from 08 – 26 May, 2006 in servicing of analog photogrammetric equipment A8 and B8 at the Survey of Kenya.

One intern was trained for six months (February. to July 2006) in basic instrumentation at the Centre’s workshop. The training covered service, repair and calibration of levels, optical theodolite and Total Station. The intern was retained for further training.

Income Generation

During the reported period the section rendered its services to private practitioners for income generation, which earned the centre US$ 16, 744.00.

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HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Information Technology Training Programme

On 25 July 2006, 65 students of the class of 2005/2006 graduated having successfully satisfied the requirements for the award of Diploma in Information Technology.

During the reporting period, 44 new students enrolled for the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Certificate and Diploma in IT program thus putting the student population at 109.

The End user section of the ITTC trained 119 persons.

Corporate tailor-made training attracted participants as shown in the table below.

Commission for Higher Education

Following the new rules by the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) on coordination of post secondary school institutions that offer university education in Kenya , the Department applied for Validation of its programmes by the Commission by submitting a detailed statement outlining the Centre’s capability to run the JKUAT programmes.

Other Highlights of 2005

During the year, 130 copies of IT titles were purchased for the Library. These included titles in JavaScript, Systems Analysis and Design, Computer repair and maintenance, Software Engineering.

The department also organised career talks to students on Computer Networks and Security, Hot Spots and Goal setting.

During the same period, 57 students graduated with Diplomas in IT at a colourful ceremony at JKUAT graduation square.

The ITTC facilities and infrastructure were improved during the reporting period by installation of air conditioning equipment, networking, and procurement of additional computers for training.

The department also organised for a Parents/Prize giving day which provided an important forum for the RCMRD management and parents/sponsors to share and exchange views and also to recognize the best students.

Management Activities

The Management of the Centre was responsible for creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the planned activities by different programmes. It was also responsible for public relations and image building. During the year the Management focused on further institutional building through development of the information technology infrastructure, improvement of the physical facilities and staff capacity building.

Information Technology Infrastructure

During the year the following IT and telecommunication improvements were undertaken:

• Completion of the networking of the Blocks A, B, C and D

• Procurement of a new server

• Installation of Voice on Internet Protocol (VOIP)

• Installation of two mobile telephones on our switchboard.

Physical Infrastructure

The last building block that had remained uncompleted for over ten years was redesigned and completed to offer recreational services and a canteen. The Management also continued to maintain the buildings, other physical infrastructure and vehicles. One saloon vehicle was procured during the year. To improve the environment, the management planted a variety of trees in the Centre’s compound during the year.

Institutional Linkages

During the year the Centre prepared and signed MOUs with the following partners:

• Clarke University in the USA for dealership and Training in IDRISI Kilimanjaro GIS software

• NASA for the establishment of a continuous GPS station at the Centre

• Kenyatta University , Kenya