Category Archives: International Journal of Environmental Studies and Safety Research 2016

CONTENTS

Investigation into the Causes of Contractors’ Business Failure in Nigeria

I.Y.Mohammed

Department of Building Technology

Faculty of Environmental Technology

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

ABSTRACT

The construction industry has unique characteristics that sharply distinguish it from other sectors of the economy. It is fragmented, very sensitive to the economic cycles and political environment, and has a significantly high rate of business failure. Business failure, collapse and bankruptcy are common terms in the industry due to the many risks inherent in how the industry operates. Throughout the world, the relative ease of entry gives rise to a large number of contracting firms competing aggressively in the market exposing many of them to business failure, Nigeria is no exception. The objectives of this paper are to report on a research study which aims at discovering the causes of contractors’ business failure in Nigeria, and examining their severity from the contractors’ viewpoint. The results shows that the main causes of business failure are delay in collecting debt from clients, heavy dependence on bank loans and payment of high interest on these loans, lack of capital, absence or weak industry regulations, low profit margin due to high competition, awarding contracts by client to the lowest bidder, and lack of experience in contract management. Based on these findings, recommendations to the Nigerian Government and local contractors are presented in this paper.

Keywords: Business failures, Nigeria, Bankruptcy, Contractors, Construction industry

Analysis of Urban Land cover Growth and Projection in Ondo State: A Case Study of Akure South Metropolis

¹Tata H. & ²Sarkin Zango I.

¹Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Federal University of Technology Akure, ²Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, ModibboAdama University of Technology Yola, Email: herbertvella@yahoo.com; sarkinzango@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Analysis of urban land cover growth and projection were carried out using medium resolution multi-temporal images (Landsat MSS1986, TM2000 and ETM2015). Spatial data were collected over a period of time to visualize the extent of urban growth and projection. Handheld GPS Map 76CSX was used for the collection of coordinate for ground truthing. The images were processed using Arc GIS 10.2.1 and land cover maps for each study year are presented. The result of the analysis in table 5 shows that urban area steadily increased from 4.8% in 1986 to 9.5% in 2000 and 17.3% in 2015 while vegetation (including forests and scrubs) decreased in an uncontrolled manner from 79.4% in 1986 to 60.5% in 2000 and 51.7% in 2015. The analysis of result used for projected Land Cover map shows that from 1986 to 2030the urban area would have increased to approximately 8,422.11 hectares from 5688.290 hectares with a percentage increase of 8.52%. Furthermore, 18.38% decrease in forest area was predicted to occur while the scrubs and grassland were predicted to increase by 2.15% and 9.73% respectively. The study therefore recommended that analysis of urban land cover growth and projection should be carried out to progressively study the rate and pattern of grow thin an urban area.

Keyword: Land use, Land cover growth, Projection, Landsat, GIS, GPS

Application of Fire Safety Facilities in Residential Buildings in Makurdi Metropolis

Elijah. A. Hime PhD& Imborivungu, Terkimbi Emmanuel

Building Section, Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Benue State University Makurdi

University of Agriculture Makurdi, Demonstration Secondary School

Email: akaakaseh@gmail.com; emmyterk@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to examine the application of fire safety facilities in residential buildings in Makurdi Metropolis. Two purposes and research questions were raised for the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design with the total population of 1,107. The sample of 221was selected using simple random sampling techniques for the study. A checklist was employed to collect data for the study and was validated by one fire safety officer and two builders. Upon successful validation, the instruments were trial tested in a pilot study. The reliability coefficient of the instruments was 0.98. The data collected was analyesd using descriptive statistics (simple percentage). The findings revealed that, active and passive fire prevention devices are neither available nor adequate in residential buildings in Makurdi Metropolis. It was recommended that active and passive fire prevention devices should be made available and adequate in residential buildings in Makurdi Metropolis.

The Democratic Anthropocene of Kano City, 2011 to 2015

Adamu Ibrahim Kabuga (PhD)

Department of Geography

Federal College of Education, P.M.B. 3045, Kano – Nigeria

Email: ibrahimkabugaadamu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study examines the democratic anthropocene of Kano city in recent time, between 2011 to 2015. The materials used for the study are sourced from field survey, observations and interviews. Interviews were used to sample the opinion of the general public on the anthropocene of the city. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the required sample for the study. Data analysis was achieved using cross tabulation and percentages. The study reveals that between the period of studies, the anthropocene of Kano city has greatly given the city a new outlook, especially during the nights. The study reveals that the flyover bridges at Kofar Nassarawa, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Zaria Road and Murtala Mohammed Way by Sabon Gari Market are permanent landmarks in the city. The study recommends that more efforts should be geared towards developmental projects for people to see, so as to encourage more people to pay their taxes in the state. The study also called on the electorates in the state to elect good leaders who are committed to the development, prudent use of public resources and welfare of the citizens of the state. 

MOTIVATIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF HOTEL LOBBIES PREFERENCES

Yawate Vahyala Elisha¹ and Dr. Zachariah Bako Zinas²

¹PG Student, Department of Architecture, MAUTECH, Yola, Nigeria

² Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, MAUTECH, Yola, Nigeria

Email: vahyalayawat@gmail.com)

ABSTRACT

The lobby is the first space guests will encounter and possibly the first impression they will form of the hotel’s physical environment. Various literatures suggest that a stimulating physical environment has the potential to make a positive impact on customers’ perceptions and behavior. However, there is scarcity of data pertaining to the physical environment that emphasizes attractiveness of hotel lobbies. This paper examines hotel lobby architectural elements preferences and the expected motivations for these preferred elements attributes. A structured questionnaire survey was first administered to 200 hotel lobby users in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, followed by laddering interviews of the Means-End Chain (MEC) methods. The result shows that three (3) distinct architectural elements namely; hard material (tiles/slate/terrazzo) for floor finishing, stucco for wall finishing and sofa/seat/chair arranged in group were preferred and the most emphasized  attributes elements are  artful, beauty, comfort, appropriate, high quality and hygienic. Five (5) motivating user values of “stimulation”, “security”, “benevolence”, “hedonism” and “achievement” were found to be drivers for these preferences.  Key words: Lobby’s architectural element attributes, means-end chain, laddering interviews

Assessment of Project Quality Management Processes Adopted by Building Project Contractors in Osun State, Nigeria

¹Lawal, A.F.,  Ojo, O.J.²,. ,Adeosun, J.O³.Odeyomi, E.S⁴

¹Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure,

² Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure,

³Department of Building Technology, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, ⁴Department of Estate Management, Osun state College of Technology, Esa- Oke, Nigeria

Email: ojojo@futa.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Assessment of project quality management processes adopted by the building project contractors was studied in Osun state, Nigeria. This was with a view to examining the project quality management processes adopted for project success. The study covered 36 private projects and 25 public projects, making 61 projects in the state. The research instrument used was questionnaire. It elicited information on the issues such as respondents designation, type of projects executed, project quality management processes and challenges encountered by the contractors. The data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results among others showed that the application of the required standards to the project to impact on the deliverable (2.45) and involvement of Quality Assessment (2.34) were below average. There were inadequate facilities, machines, tools and equipment for effective work on site (2.72), and scarcity of skilled  workers(2.58). The study recommended among others that adequate facilities, machines, tools and equipment should be provided on site during project execution. This will assist the workers on site to meeting the client’s requirements during project execution.

Keywords; Project Quality, Quality Management processes, Building Project, Assessment

The Present Status of Rainwater Harvesting for Agricultural and Domestic Use in Uromi, Edo State

  ¹Brai M.A, ²Ehiomogue P, &.³Eriakha E.C.

  ¹Department of Sciences, National Institute of Construction Technology (NICT), Uromi Edo State

    ²Department of Agricultural Engineering, Michael Okpara University, Umudike

   ³Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi

     E-mail: maxcellusng6@gmail.com

ABSTRACT                                                                                       

The largest environmental challenge that Uromi is facing today is inadequacy of public water systems and the ineffective functioning of the water facilities. Lot of methods has been suggested to increase the sources of water supply; and one of this is Rainwater harvesting. Sometimes ground water may be available for domestic and agricultural use. Nevertheless, rainwater harvesting which falls on the ground and percolates into the soil which is not usually sufficient to meet the need of the rural and urban dwellers in the state. Although rooftop rainwater harvesting is a practice of most household in Uromi .The study is carried out to determine the current status of Rain water harvesting in Uromi, Edo State. Rainfall data for 5 years was used with supply side Approach (SSA) to calculate the potential Rainwater harvesting mean monthly rainfall ranged between 0 – 0.42.12mm.

The month of July had the highest potential yield (2,258.91 litres) with an actual yield of 642.20litres followed by the month of August which had a potential yield of 2,240.20 litres and with actual yield of (615.43litres).This indicates the status of rainwater in Uromi is still on the search for effective method. This can be addressed by using larger storage facilities and possibly the entire rooftop that will yield 100% water harvesting with a loss of less than 0.5%.

Keywords: Rainwater harvesting (RWH), Water scarcity, and supply side approach (SSA).

Housing Quality and Vector Control: Utilizing an Effective Strategy against common Disease Vectors

¹Gbakeji J. O.; ²Aigbiremolen A. O.; ¹Rilwani, M. L.

¹Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

²Department of Community Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 08, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

Corresponding Author: ²Aigbiremolen A. O; Email: drphonsus@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Quality housing provides shelter from adverse elements of nature. In addition, good housing can be harnessed to guarantee protection against common disease vectors such as flies, mosquitoes and rodents, and thus reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases. This paper examines important aspects of housing such as house fittings, house screenings, housing amenities, housekeeping, and house surroundings and discusses some vector habits related to these housing features. It also emphasizes how housing quality contributes to vector control strategies.

Key words: housing quality, vectors, vector-borne diseases, vector management

Response to Urbanization and Problems: The Role of Physical Planning

Lebana Manasseh Daspan¹ ; Jafaru Maigida² & Mansur Bello³

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

College of Environmental Studies

Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

ABSTRACT

Urbanization is seen as a potential and as a problem in this society because of its positive and negative on the economy but cannot be done away with. Urbanization which is seen as the process by which large numbers of people became permanently concentrated in relatively small areas forming cities are also carrying out their activities as well. This will surely take place for development to continue because this is a yardstick that measure the progress of a city. The methodology used to conduct this study is the secondary source of data and analysis which suffice that the work is based on theoretical concept of analysis. This work has started with the introductory part which formed the background of the study followed by response to urbanization and perspective, after which the benefit that comes from urbanization comes in, the problems that urbanization generated and the role of physical planning. The end part of the work is conclusion and recommendation for remedying the situation.