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

Assessment of Labour Generation/ Reduction of Unemployment from the Practical Completion of Talba Housing Estate: A Study of Kpakungu, Minna, Niger State

Odaudu, Ugbede Sunday

Department of Architecture

Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria

Email: arcodauduugbede@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

One of problems Nigeria is facing is unemployment and Minna is not left out of this problem. The federal governments of Nigeria have tried several ways of solving the problem of unemployment in the country over the years but could not succeed. Thus, the practical completion of the Talba Housing Estate in Kpakungu community of Minna was studied with the aim of analysing labour generation from them. Oral interviews were conducted with inhabitants of the study area that were involved in the construction of the Talba Housing Estate. Sampling sizes were collected from 20 households using systematic random sampling method. The assessment was done based on skilled and unskilled labours and tables were employed in summarising the data and percentage was used in the analysis of data. Results showed that the construction of buildings can reduce unemployment in Nigeria, particularly, Minna and suggested that government should emphasis on the construction of more buildings, since there is a great need for housing magnitude in urban areas.

Keywords: Construction, Housing, Unemployment, Labour, Generation.

Assessment of Noise pollution from the Activities of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) Limited, Kaduna, Nigeria

Sani Usman Shagari¹, Aliyu Dadan Garba& Ali Williams Butu²

¹Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Kaduna, Nigeria

²Department of Geography, Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, NigeriaEmail:adgtonga@gmail.com, alibutu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT:

This paper examined the effects of noise pollution from Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Kaduna, Nigeria. Data was collected from four areas which did not experience any disruption from October to December, 2016. Data was also collected from four control points which were free of refining activities using an integrated average sound level meter, model No. CR812B, Results showed that the four areas of refinery activities have mean values ranging from 66.0 to 107.4 dB some of which were above WHO limits of 85 dB while the control areas where no refinery activities take place have mean values ranging from 56.0 to 65.0 Db which were below WHO limits.

Assessment of Some Physicochemical Parameters in River Rido: A Tributary of River Romi, Kaduna Nigeria

¹Ali Williams Butu, ¹Victor Andrew Odoh & ¹Aliyu Dadan-Garba

           ¹Department of Geography,

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,

Nigerian Defence Academy, kaduna

                                                                                              Email: adgtonga@gmail.com

        Corresponding Author: A. Dadan- Garba  

ABSTRACT

The study examined the status of some physicochemical parameters in River Rido one of the tributaries of River Romi, Kaduna. Water samples were collected from January to October 2016 at four sampling points. A total of 40 samples were collected in dry and wet seasons. The physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods. The results show that the Conductivity, Turbidity, Total Hardness, TSS, TDS, COD, and Oil and grease are above the permissible limit of NESREA and WHO guidelines indicating some level of pollution in the stream. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) with mean value ranging from 105.2mg/l -161.4mg/l and 72.4 mg/l -197.6 mg/l for dry and wet seasons respectively, these values are above the acceptable limit of WHO and NESREA guidelines for surface water of 15 mg/l and 40 mg/l respectively. Result of the t-test shows that there is no significant difference in the levels of concentration of the parameters between the dry and wet seasons. The result also shows that there is an adverse impact on the physiochemical characteristics of the receiving river as a result of the effluents discharge from Kaduna Petrochemical Refinery, sewage waste water, surface run-off and from agricultural chemicals. This may pose a health risk to the communities which rely on the receiving water bodies as their sources of domestic water and for agricultural uses. The study therefore, recommends that industrial waste water should be properly treated.

Keywords: Effluents, health risk, tributaries, pollution, physicochemical

                                                 

Community Waste Treatment and Disposal Options

Gana A.J, ²Tamene Adenuga & ² Sanjeev Naval

¹Department of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Landmark University, Kwara

²Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Jimma University, Ethiopia

Email: sanjeevnaval@yahoo.com, phildebo123@gmail.com, tamene_adu2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The paper presents cost effective and appropriate technologies at rural level for proper collection and disposal of the waste generated in the houses. To separate the toilet and non toilet wastes and to improve the functioning of septic tank, an improved system; ash & silt trap chamber & ferrocement septic tank has been proposed. The technology discussed in this paper consists of a simple hand trowelling of cement rich mortar into a wire reinforced (wire mesh or check mesh) with the help of form work in layers to cast different units of superstructure, pan and pit of sanitary latrines, thus making it low cost, easy to work with avoiding heavy equipment and expansive scarce materials, minimum skill requirement (self help), labour intensive and appropriate to the rural social and economic conditions. In order to have the safe and effective disposal of the solid waste in the form of garbage and rubbish, compositing methods viz windrow, static pile & vermin composting have been highlighted.

Keywords:Solid & Liquid waste, Waste treatment, Septic Tank, Ferrocement Technology, Composting, Windrow, Static Pile, Vermin composting Garbage, Rubbish   

Analysis and Assessment of Index Properties of Laterite Soils Found in Landmark University Campus Omu-Aran, Kwara State

Gana A.J & Braimoh .O .S

Department of Civil Engineering

 Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state

Emails:  phildebo123@gmail.com

Corresponding author:   Gana A.J

ABSTRACT

Laterites are highly weathered and altered residual soils usually formed in the tropical and sub tropical regions due to the in-situ weathering and decomposition of rocks, index properties of some laterite soils which are sensitive to methods of Tests preparation and testing procedures. In addition, water content determination using oven temperatures of different magnitude usually gives significant variation for some laterite soils. This study examines moisture content determination using different oven temperatures on the soil samples in the laboratory, and to investigate the presence of loosely bound water of hydration. The study shows that the soil samples did not contain loosely bound molecular water in a significant amount, and pre-treatment variation has not change the index test results, whereas the test procedures have shown some influence on the soil samples.

Keywords: Laterite Soils, Pre-treatment, Testing Procedures.

Assessment of the Run-off Water into Umudike Fish Pond for Aquaculture Production

Nwakanma, C., and Uzoanya R. C  

Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology

College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

Email: dr.nwakanmac@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Pollution of river, ponds, seas, lake and most underground water has being a global problem. In this study, assessment of run-off water into Umudike Fish Pond for Aquaculture Production was investigated to ascertain the presence quality for fish rearing. The pH, EC, TDS and temperature, zinc, lead, cadmium and iron were determined. Mean values obtained from the study shows DO (5.550.04); Temperature (27.70.07); Turbidity (30.60.14); Total Hardness (57.80.07); Total Suspended Solids (11.80.05); Zn (1.30.04); Pb (Neligible); Cd (0.31  0.04);Fe (0.50.05); pH(6.20.02); EC (32.6  0.06); Alkalinity (42.5 3.5); Nitrate (22.6  0.4) and Phosphate (2.78  0.05). The results obtained when compared with standards for pond water quality were within recommended ranged. Although, it is important that regular monitoring of storm water or run-off water into the fish pond be checked since the fish farm is used for the production of fish for commercial purposes.

Keywords: Water quality, Umudike, Fish farm, Pollution, Abia State, Storm water

Perception of the Nigerian Quantity Surveyors on the Panorama of Disputes in the Nigerian Construction Industry

S. M. Ojo¹ and  A.J. Babalola²

¹Department of Quantity Surveying, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

²Department of Quantity Surveying, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

goodsolex1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Persistent disputes among contracting parties in the Nigerian construction industry is a cord in the wheel of effective construction projects delivery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the causes of disputes among the contacting parties in the Nigerian construction industry and to proffer solutions or strategies on how to minimize or resolve them. This study mirrors the perception of The Nigerian Quantity Surveyors (NQSs) as to causes of construction disputes. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted with the use of structured questionnaire for data collection. Eighty (80) questionnaires were distributed and Fifty five (55) professionally qualified Quantity Surveyors in consulting, contracting, educational and public service sectors filled the questionnaire. The study shows that client’s outright refusal to pay for or late payments of work done by contractor and variations order, sub-standard works on the part of contractors and design inadequacies on the part of the consultants are the dominants causes of construction disputes in the Nigerian construction industry. The study concluded that disputes in the Nigerian construction industry can be minimized or avoided if all the stakeholders are always ready to perform their duties as stipulated in the conditions of contract. The study recommends that clients should be financially buoyant before embarking on any construction project in other to pay contractors’ promptly as stipulated in the conditions of contract. Thorough review of the designs will minimize or eliminate variation. To avoid shoddy work, previously completed jobs as claimed by the prospective contractor should be visited to ascertain contractor’s technical capability. To ensure accurate design that meets the client’s need and devoid of inadequacies, design model and briefing section should be a predominant duty of design team to help clients have a better idea of the end product and iron out grey areas before construction phase.     

Key words: Disputes; Nigerian Construction Industry; Perception; Panorama; Quantity Surveyors.

Impact of Mineral Fertilizer, with ‘in-situ’ Mulches, on the Properties and Productivity of Soil on a Cultivated Slope in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Usuah, P. E.¹, A. N. Ukut² & U. S. Akpan¹

Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo,Uyo,

Akwa Ibom State College of Science & Technology, Nnung Ukim, Nigeria 

Corresponding author: peterusuah@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Effect of the application of mineral fertilizer with “in-situ” mulches on selected physico-chemical properties of the soil and the grain yield of maize on a cultivated slope were investigated. The study was conducted on a 9.5% sloping farmland during the 2015 and 2016 early planting seasons, using the traditional no-till system with seeds planted through the mulch. There were four (4) treatments viz: decomposing ‘in-situ’ mixed mulches at 10 Mgha^-1 (designated M); fertilizer (N.P.K. 20.10.10) at 0.4 Mgha^-1 (F); mulch at 10 Mgha^-1 plus NPK fertilizer at 0.4 Mgha^-1 (MF); no mulch, no fertilizer (NMF) – the control.  Experimental design was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) in six (6) replications. Soil moisture levels in mulched plots increased over the control by a range of 30 to 45 percent. Mulched plots had lower soil temperatures, ranging from 5 to 16 percent over the control. Mulching increased soil organic C levels by a range of 7 to 40 percent over the control. Post study values of total N in plots under MF were 111 and 106 percent over the control in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Treatment MF increased P levels by 14 and 16 mgkg^-1 in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Exchangeable K in mulched plots was raised by 27 to 225.6 percent over the control. Treatment MF gave highest maize grain yields of 2.66 and 2.89 Mgha^-1 for 2015 and 2016 respectively. These were significantly (p ≥ .01) higher than values for M, F and the control (MNF).

Key words: slopes, “in-situ” mulches, grain yields, Niger Delta.