Category Archives: International Journal of Environmental Studies and Safety Research 2018

ASSESSMENT OF THE SATISFACTION LEVELS OF PEOPLE WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDING ENVIRONMENT: A STUDY OF KPAKUNGU COMMUNITY MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Odaudu, Ugbede Sunday & Musa Shehu Gajale

Department of Architecture

 Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria

Email: arcodauduugbede@yahoo.com; musashehugajale@gmail.com

Corresponding author: Odaudu, Ugbede Sunday

ABSTRACT  

One of the problems Nigeria is facing is unsatisfied commercial building environment leading to low level of productivity and which in turns affecting the economy of our nation. Development control is a mechanism put in place to maintain standard and it is an aspect of planning that is difficult to operate in the country in terms of realization of its aim and expected objectives. The aim of this research work is to assess the different levels of satisfaction of the people with respect to the commercial building environment where they are staying.  Interviews  were conducted with 100 people of the study area to know the different levels of their satisfaction with their commercial building environment using systematic random sampling method that took in to consideration the total population parameters, which made it possible to measure their different levels of satisfaction with their commercial building environment. The results showed that a very large number of people are not satisfied with their commercial building environment and therefore, leading to low productivity in their places of work and suggested that government should enforce the laws and regulations guiding the development of the commercial building environment and also putting them in to practice.Key Words: Building Environment, Development Control, Planning, Productivity

EVALUATION OF KERNEL SHELL AS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR LOW COST HOUSES

Gana A.J. & Asebiomo, Oluwaferanmi Joy

Department of Civil Engineering

Collage of Science and Engineering

Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state

Emails:  doctorgana@yahoo.com, phildebo123@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The major construction material that cost more are cement and gravel which makes buildings costly. Palm kernel shells are locally available materials which can be used in place of gravel. Previous works on the kernel shell shows that the strength determined have met with the building requirements. Concrete is the most common material used in construction, various research work and experience gained shows that the quality and durability of concrete depend mostly on the properties of its constituent, mix design, method of preparation, curing etc. have their influence on it. Tests results have shown that kernel shell concrete of mix ratio 1:2:4 has average compressive strength of 5.6 N/mm2 at 14days curing while 12.47 N/mm2 at 28days of curing. Palm kernel shell produces a concrete with a lower compressive strength in comparison with normal concrete with gravel.The project in conclusion was a success as it took into consideration the economic status quo of the population. This project help to provide new materials affordable for the low income earners which helps in producing low cost houses and this does not remove the criteria of performance for a material

Keywords: Evaluation, kernel shells, construction materials, low cost Houses

AN ASSESSMENT OF EFFLUENT DISPOSAL PRACTICES IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY

Peters Akpoturi¹, and Henry Idudje¹

¹Department of Petroleum Engineering

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria  

Email:  petersakpoturi1212@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The petroleum industry generates wastes in the course of extraction and refining operations. This paper summarizes the major sources of these wastes, the pollutants that are generated, the regulations that are in effect to control them and the treatment and disposal practices that are generally used throughout the country to meet these regulations. By and large, current water treatment and disposal practices in the extraction and refining industries are meeting existing effluent limitations set by the Nigerian government. However, solids handling and disposal practices may be expected to undergo some changes in order to meet the more stringent regulations that are currently being developed.

Keywords: Petroleum industry; waste, effluent, practices, regulations, water treatment and oil spills.

MODELLING OF OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS IN NIGER DELTA REGION; A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC

ABSTRACT
The problem of the Niger Delta region remains unsolved, after so many years of oil and gas
exploration and production. It seems that these problems cannot be solved, since demands cannot be
met based on the approaches adopted by Government in addressing the issues or demands/needs of the
region. Federal Government have made several efforts to address these problems in the region, those
efforts have proven unsuccessful, more especially on a long-run. Indicating that the issues of the region
have not being confronted as it directly affects the people. Hence a wrong methodology or approach
has being used in addressing the issues of the region which cannot provide permanent solution. This
research work is on modelling of oil and gas management and operations in Niger Delta (a case study
of NNPC). It analyses the relationship between NNPC (Government) and Host Communities (Oil
producing areas of Niger Delta region), using developed models (M1, M2 & M3) to quantitatively
arrived at its parameters. It looks at the demands of the region and how efficiently NNPC have
manage their resources (oil & gas) to meet those needs/demands, which is a basic concept of
management (using available scarce resources to meet needs). And the reasons for continue conflicts
and agitations (unrest) in the region, and as well as the type of relationship existing with Government
(G) and the Niger Delta (N); the stages and degree of conflict escalation in the region and other
relevant case studies (Ken Saro Wiwa & Shell on Ogoniland). The main component of the developed
model 2 (M2) is to address the concept of management (using the available scarce resources to meet the
needs/demands of the people). Therefore for effective and efficient utilization of resources in the region,
needs/demands must be met. Hence Resources (R) available must be directly proportional to demands
(d) which is equivalent to Resources Control (RC). But in the case where Resources available is
inversely proportional to demands of the people agitations will continue, until a point where resources
directly proportional equals to resources inversely proportional known as Equity Share (50%
derivation). Mathematically represented as R = Ed (Equivalent to resources control), R = E/d
(agitations continues) and Ed = E/d (Equity share). Where E = constant (E ≤ 100%). Therefore the
analysis of the model (M2), the results shows that the actual demand (dA) of Niger Delta region is
98.3% (oil derivation) of its total resources produced with a leftover of 1.7% (tax allowance) and tax rate
of 17.93%. It is an indication of the demand for resources control (RC) and fiscal federalism at a tax rate
of 17.3% to be paid to Federal Government. But Niger Delta States gets 13% (oil derivation) while
Federal Government (G) gets 87% of the total resources (oil and gas) produced in the region. Therefore
it indicates that R = E/d; hence agitations will continue in the region. And the rate of deviation
(between RG and RN) is 74%, and the rate at which resources has being diverted in the region is 64.4%.
The analysis of the human relation, model 1 (M1), indicate that there is a poor mutual relationship
between G and N. With 13% zone of shared power (PS) and 87% of zone of unshared power (RO), and
the strength of the shared power is at a ratio of 11% : 2% (G:N). Where the point of intercept is 39%
and the resistive intercept which oppose the mutual relationship is at 61%, indicating too many
personal interests in the kind of relationship that should exist between G and N. From the analysis of
model 3 (M3) and the conflict escalation chart the degree of conflict escalation (CE) is +266.40
NNPC/OC HC/NNPC/En/OC. This means that the conflict lies on the third quadrant, and
therefore could be trace to NNPC/OC as the major cause and mostly affected if there is violence, and
resolution lies primarily on HC/NNPC/En/OC.
Keywords: Oil and Gas Management, NNPC, Niger Delta Region, Models

A REVIEW OF RISK AND HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT IN MODERN CONSTRUCTION

Iroegbu Innocent Onyemaechi

Department of Building Technology

Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana

Email: xtopherihe@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The research paper review risk and hazard identification and assessment in modern construction with the aim of examining ways risk and hazard can be managed in modern construction. The team carrying out risk and hazard evaluation must be able to recognize potential sources of hazards that workers may be expose to, document it and rank the hazards in order of priority, those hazards with the highest potential to cause an injury, illness or death are to be address first and where a hazard cannot be assessed, administrative changes can often be used to reduce the amount of exposure a worker has to the danger. Therefore, risk and hazard identification and assessment on construction sites cannot be over emphasized, it is a good step to achieving environmental friendly construction site. Supervisors should make sure that control measures are put in place to abate any identified risk and hazards, disciplinary measures on abuse of risk control measures should be established for workers, supervisors and contractors by the relevant professional body.

Keywords: Hazard control; Worksite inspection; Hazard evaluation; Risk assessment matrix; Potential exposure route.

EVALUATION OF AGENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-HEALING CONCRETE IN MODERN CONSTRUCTION

¹Ihenketu Christopher, ²Iwudibiah Chidi Charles & ³Ebube Ogbonna Christopher

¹Department of Building Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana Afikpo, Ebonyi State

²Department of Building Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo

³Department of Building Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi

E-Mail:  xtopherihe@gmail.com 

Correspondent author: Ihenketu Christopher

ABSTRACT

The study examined the agents responsible for self-healing concrete in modern construction. Survey research design was employed for the study; the study population was made up of 600 construction workers in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. 240 workers were used as sample using taro yammney formula to determine the sample size and simple random sampling technique to determine which of the 600 workers should be selected as sample. Mean and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. From the findings, bacterial, mineral additives and adhesive agents are responsible for self-healing in concrete and no significant difference exist in the rating of the agents on different sizes of buildings. Therefore, self-healing agents are essential in the achievement of sustainable concrete in modern construction. Building professionals should be trained on self-healing concrete. Government should ensure the availability of the agents and subsidize its price. The public should be sensitized on self-healing concrete through seminars and advertisement by the Council Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON).

Keywords: self-healing agents; Self-healing process; Impact of self-healing concrete.

ASSESSMENT OF IONISING RADIATION EMISSION FROM SELECT WASTE DUMPSITES IN EKET, NIGERIA

¹ Okon P. Akpan,   ¹Idopise G. Etim, and ²Imeh E. Essien

¹Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

²Department of Physics, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

Corresponding author: apostleop5family@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This work was conducted to assess the level of ionizing radiation from select dumpsites within Eket Local Government Area.  Five dumpsites were selected, with site one at Hausa’s quarters, Site two at Market Road, site three at Ibeno road, site four at Qua steel and site five at Ikot Ebok road. This was achieved using a portable inspector alert nuclear radiation monitor with serial number1212 made in U.S.A to measure the radiation exposure rate in micro Seviert per hour. The measurement was conducted at reference dumpsites up to about ten (10) spots per dumpsites. The results obtained shows that average absorbed dose rate of the measurement in dumpsite one was 0.17mSv/hr, dumpsite two was 0.15mSv/hr, dumpsite three was 0.14mSv/hr, dumpsite four was 0.16mSv/hr and dumpsite five was 0.18mSv/hr. Dumpsite five produced the highest radiation dose rate which could be as a result of high level of waste dump, decay duration nature of waste generated the average dose rate of about 0.18mSv/hr. This study suggested that these dumpsites generates radiation dose into the environment which are hazardous to humans, animals as well as plants around the dumpsites and therefore, waste should be controlled and managed properly in order to reduce the level of radiation.

Keywords: Radiation Dose, Annual Dose Rate, Permissible Dose, Health Hazard, Dumpsite