A Geographical Information System makes it possible to transform data into interactive maps. It matters in sustainable development actions by allowing:
- Better governance of local projects.
- Better management of projects thanks to shared information.
- Better communication on projects.
Development of a small Geographical Information System for Dankassari
AESCD, with help from RAEDD, has developed a Geographical Information System able to convert an excel file localizing villages and populations into an interactive map. It results from a Polytech Angers student’s project in the summer of 2020. A little program in python generates the .html interactive card from the excel file. Internet connection is not necessary with .html file
The excel data base was initiated by Mr Mamane Chadaou, in charge of Decentralised Cooperation in Dankassari. It has been updated since then by AESCD, thanks to Mamane Chadaou’s monthly progress reports.
It is a useful tool to create interactive maps localizing our actions. Up to now, it has been used in France at supervision committees with the Cesson-Sévigné town council, at AESCD general meetings, in various reports as well as in our Magazine.
Training in Niger
Now, the goal is to make it possible to use it in Niger and train the RAEDD team, the mayor and the Dankassari elected representatives as well as local services. Eventually, the cards will have to be updated and created in Niger and the tool will be used for decision-making and monitoring of activities.
A 4-day training session h being organized. The session took place at Dankassari Town Hall from March 28 to 30, 2022. The electricity needed was provided in the morning by a generator and in the afternoon by Nigelec.
The training program was as follows
- Word of welcome from the representative of the Mayor of Dankassari
- Presentation of participants -
- Presentation of the training objectives
- What is a Geographic Information System, and tutorials
- Introduction to the Geographic Coordinate System and practical work
- Database, Use of interactive maps and detailed map of Dankassari
- Use of the “map” program, practical work - Generations of interactive maps
- Report and conclusions.
There were 2 trainers and 22 participants elected or responsible for different municipal services of the municipality of Dankassari (general secretariat, agriculture, livestock, civil status, environment), members of RAEDD or RAIL.
The training took place in an excellent atmosphere and aroused a lot of interest, the questions were numerous and the practical work very motivating.
All the people who came with their laptop were able to implement the practical work by exploring the database and the existing maps. The generation of new maps was only possible for the trainers because some necessary software was missing on the laptops of the participants.
The coordinates or denominations of certain villages of the rural commune could in particular be rectified by the participants on the database.
During the review session, the participants expressed their enthusiasm and hoped that a new training could be organized in the future.