CONTENTS

Assessment of the Performance of Informal Land Delivery System in Karu Urban Area (Kua), Nigeria

Baba, Ezekiel Bahago, Abba, Mu’azu &   Maiyaki, Dele Jibrin …………………………………….. 1

The Application of Econometric Modelling to Real Estate Investment Decisions in the Economic Growth of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

Nissi Chicheta F. & Mbosowo Ebong Ekpo ……………………………………………….………15

Suitability of Maize Cob Ash as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Sandcrete Blocks

Anowai, S. I., Ishaya, A. A., Zakka, P. W., Yahaya, A. M. & Oyelade, O.M.…………25

An Industrialized Building System Approach to Housing Development in Nigeria

Adeagbo, Dorcas Omolola and Anigbogu Natalia, A…………………………………….31

Tree Planting   a Panacea for Sustainable Ecosystem and Livelihood

Sa’ad, Muhammad Hashidu & Adamu, Sani Jauro……………………………………….42

Examination Malpractice as a Malady to the Development of Educational Programmes in Nigeria

Adegbite, Peter Ibrahim…………………………………………………………………….49

Appraisal of Challenges of Stakeholders’ Management in Construction Projects in Nigeria

Yahaya M. B; Kasimu M. A; Shittu A. A&Saidui…………………….…………………54

Assessment of Surface Water Quality in Rivers and Ponds for Sustainable Irrigation Practice in Nigeria

Samaila Kunden Ishaya, Marcus Nengak Danjuma and Kwarfwang Kevin Jack……………………………………………………………………………………………66

ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN RIVERS AND PONDS FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

¹Samaila Kunden Ishaya, ² Marcus Nengak Danjuma &  ³Kwarfwang Kevin Jack      

¹Nasarawa State University Keffi   

³Plateau State University, Bokkos

Email: ikunden@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Nigeria is blessed with abundant surface water in rivers, streams, rivulets and ponds. However one of the greatest problems faced in the country is assessment of water quality from the numerous receiving surfaces for irrigation. This has resulted in the use of water likely to be injurious to the soils and plants, causing serious implications on the productive capacity of soils and the developmental processes of many crops. It is in this respect that this study undertook a review on assessment of water quality for irrigation and its application to Nigeria. The study used content analysis and reviewed relevant works on water quality for irrigation. The study examined major issues that affect the safety in the use of water for irrigation. These included issues associated to application of water high in salinity that may result in the built-up of salts in the soils, which cause difficulty in plants uptake of water a condition that causes plants to become stunted even when water is sufficient. High sodium ion in the irrigation water may raise exchangeable sodium percent in the soil and may impede the free flow of water and aeration in the soil thus interfering with normal developmental processes of many plants. Low or high pH in water affects the solubility of the soils and plants performance during irrigation. Other specific ion toxicity also have significant effect on water quality at levels that cause ailment to human health, for example the presence of trace elements in irrigation water can bio-amplify in due course within the food chain thus affecting the consumers of crops from such water. To use water wisely the study recommends that there is the need for intensive assessment of water quality for most surface sources and that research institutes be set in each state to monitor the quality of water to ensure standards recommended for a variety of uses are met.     

Keywords: Salinity, Sodicity, Toxicity, Assessment and Irrigation.

APPRAISAL OF CHALLENGES OF STAKEHOLDERS’ MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NIGERIA

*Yahaya M. B¹; Kasimu M. A²; Shittu A. A¹&Saidui¹

¹Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

²Department of Quantity Surveying, the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria

Email: kasimumohammed@yahoo.com and yahayaqs@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT

The construction industry worldwide has a poor record of stakeholder management during the construction process. This ineffective stakeholder management affected cash flow system of projects and eventually deterred the success of project delivery. Therefore, the paper aimed at establishes factors that cause challenges of stakeholders’ management in construction projects. To accomplish the aim, survey questionnaire was adopted as a result of fragmentation and diversification in the construction industry. The questionnaire was designed in five (5) point Likert scale format with closed ended questions. A total of 100 numbers of questionnaires was distributed to Engineers, Quantity surveyors, Project Managers, Construction Managers, Contractors, Consultant and other stakeholders in the construction industry. Only 82% of the questionnaire distributed were filled correctly and returned which was used for the analysis. The descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from the responses of the respondents. The results obtained from analyses shows the major factors that causes challenges to stakeholder management as civil unrest and lack of political stability, change in bye law and regulations, delay in site handover, delay in inspection and approval, financial problems and non-adherence to specification. In addition, major mitigating measures to reduce challenges of stakeholder management were analysing conflicts and conditions among stakeholder, understanding area of stakeholder interest and encourage team work and collaboration among stakeholders. Thereafter the paper recommended that there should be adequate project planning and programming right from inception to completion stage of project to avoid delays, inflation, claims and conflict. In addition, project manager should encourage proper monitoring and feedback mechanism.

Keywords: Stakeholder, Construction projects, Stakeholder management, project success and project management

EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AS A MALADY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA

Adegbite, Peter Ibrahim

Department of Education Foundation

Federal University of Kashere Gombe State

Email: princepeter220@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on examination malpractices as one of the major problems militating against the efforts of government, her agencies and other stakeholders in achieving the national goals of providing reliable, functional and programmatic educational service to the populace. It highlights the causes; form and agents of academic malady in our schools and institutions of higher learning. This paper recommends the involvement of all stakeholders in concerted efforts towards curbing or eradicating this academic cancer through re-orientation and effective enlightenment of all involved in education on the dangers of examination malpractices, and also states that government and private sector should de-emphasize the use of certificates rather, the individual physical abilities and capacities should be considered for place and enrolment. Also it further suggested that learners should be allowed to study the course in which he or she has comparative advantages; that parents should not force certain course or courses on their words, that parents roles is to guide and advice the children by supporting their choice of carriers.

TREE PLANTING A PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM AND LIVELIHOOD

Sa’ad, Muhammad Hashidu & Adamu, Sani Jauro

¹Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Ministry of Environment & Forest Resources, Gombe State

²Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment & Forest Resources, Gombe State

Email:  saadhashidu@gmail.com & sanidaddy@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

The exploitation of the resources of the semi-arid ecosystems by human beings, especially in recent times of severe and persistent drought brought about by ecological damages in the region, and also the increase in human population appears to be stressing the natural resources, consequently in many areas sustainable-yield threshold of the vegetation and soils are being breached over. It is now obvious that the problem of desertification needs to be addressed in a holistic manner in order to ensure that the semi-arid zone continues to support sustainable living. The most rapid responsive approach would be achieved through planting and protection of trees for the numerous services derived from them (Sadio, 1990). Trees can be extremely useful for the important role they play to achieve sustainable rural development and to restore the health of the planet’s environment, and are also one of the most valuable tools available to help transform unhealthy cities into healthier ones, and improve low productivity agricultural land into high yielding and profitable agriculture land. It is generally agreed that increasing agricultural productivity is central to growth and poverty alleviation in rural areas (Chivaura-Mususa et al, 2000; Sánchez et al, 1998).

Keywords: As a Panacea, Livelihood, Sustainable Ecosystem, And Tree Planting.

AN INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM APPROACH TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Adeagbo, Dorcas Omolola¹ & Anigbogu Natalia, A.²

Department of Building

University of Jos, JosEmail: adeagbod1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT  

Industrialised Building System (IBS) is a construction method where prefabricated components are used instead of cast on site approach. It has more to offer compared to the conventional method. Among these advantages are shorter construction period, reduced overall cost, improved labour productivity, better site management and reduction in waste generation. Developments of housing units are needed due to the growing population and increased demand for housing. This study was with the aim of investigating the perception of professionals on the prospects, challenges, and strategies for improving IBS usage in housing development, specifically in Abuja. The method adopted was purposive sampling technique where questionnaire were distributed to 100 built environment professionals, handling housing projects. Data obtained from the 80 questionnaire returned were analysed using SPSS software. The results revealed that majority of the professionals handling housing projects in Abuja are practicing traditional cast in – situ method and IBS application is considered for few projects. The challenges of IBS application according to the respondents are; insufficient IBS manufacturer, unfamiliarity due to resistance to change, enormous capital cost and lack of government interest. In order to overcome these barriers, majority of the respondents agreed that improving the educational curriculum, adopting intensive training for the related professionals, usage of IBS in government housing projects, government support with startup capital, and promotion of market acceptance of IBS housing units, would help in improving IBS adoption in Abuja housing development. The implication of this study is that Government support and increase awareness on the prospects of IBS would improve the usage of IBS in housing development.