Category Archives: International Journal of Environmental Studies and Safety Research 2019

The Effect of Seasonal Variation on the Concentrations of Gaseous and Particulate Matter at Marksino Quarry and its Environs in Akamkpa L.G.A of Cross River State

¹Abanyam, Noah Lumun; ²Samaila Buba& ²Hamadu, Jennifer Hunleyedi

¹Department of Sociology, Taraba State University, Jalingo. Taraba State, Nigeria

²Department of Geography, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State Nigeria

Email: noahlumun@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The earth produces clean air, nourishing food, fresh water and vegetation. However, environmental abuse of these natural processes is increasingly causing serious health risk and socio-economic challenges. This study examines the implications of environmental abuse on health and socio-economic wellbeing in developing countries focusing on pollution and deforestation. Tragedy of the common theory was used in analyzing the study. The study found that environmental abuse causes climate change which continue to increase threats to human health, impacts on thermal stress, death, injury, floods, and storm and indirectly through change in the ranges of disease vectors such as mosquitoes, water-borne pathogens, biodiversity deflection, erosion, water quality, air quality, and food availability and quality. The story also revealed that environmental abuse such as deforestation, wide spread hunting, air pollution and water pollution are the disastrous consequences or commonest effects associated with drought, desertification, frequent cases of floods, starvation as well as ill-health such as respiratory illness, heart disease, long cancer, cholera, typhoid fever, food contamination and highrate of warm infection. The study recommended that there should be a coordinate global approach aimed at cutting down greenhouse gas. More so, there should capacity building to integrate climate change and its impacts into development planning involving local communities, raising public awareness and education on the implications of environmental abuse on the health socio-economic wellbeing. The study concludes that scientific attention, effective implementation of law against environmental abuse, and excessive campaign against environmental abuse should be the corner stone in eradicating all forms of pollutions and deforestation in developing countries.

Keywords: Implications, Environmental Abuse, Health, Socio-economic wellbeing, Developing Countries, Pollution, Deforestation 

Evaluation of the Suitability of Water in Rivers for Irrigation in Northern Nasarawa State, Nigeria

1Samaila Kunden Ishaya, & 2Kwarfwang Kevin Jack
1Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University Keffi.
2Department of Geography Plateau State University, Bokkos
Email: ikunden@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Water high in both the physical and chemical properties when used directly for irrigation is likely to result in the built-up of substances at levels to affect the productive capacity of the soil and lower crop yields. This
study evaluates the suitability of water in rivers for irrigation in Northern Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data for this study involved the collection of a total of 60 water samples from the three rivers (FarinRuwa, Mada and Antau) for rainy and dry seasons. Standard laboratory methods were used to determine pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphates, nitrates,
carbonates and bicarbonates, boron, lead and iron. The results show the electrical conductivity of the rivers ranged from 44.5 for River Mada rainy season to 280.9uS/cm for River Antau dry season, pH was between 7.13 for River Antau dry season to 7.50 for river Antau rainy season. Sodium adsorption ratio was between 0.25 for River Mada dry season to 0.45 for River Antau dry season. Residual sodium carbonate was from -29.8
for River Antau dry season to -17.0 meq.l for river Mada dry season. Bicarbonate was highest 3.13 for River Antau dry season and lowest for River Mada rainy season. Boron was between 0.23 for River FarinRuwa
rainy season to 0.52 for River Antau dry season. The results showed most variables of water from the rivers for the seasons were generally low and fall within the limits considered safe for irrigation by FAO, (1994) and
Ayers and Westcots (1985). The suitability of the water was rated class 1 suitable 1 which indicates the water being excellent for irrigation without undesirable accumulation of dissolved salts, sodium and toxic metals at
intensities to impact negatively on the soil and yields of crops. The study recommends that Farmers should utilize these rivers for dry season farming to boost food production and that both irrigation and rain-fed
agriculture should be practiced on lands along the rivers as the water quality of the rivers is suitable for irrigation and have not impacted negatively on the soils. Keywords: Irrigation, suitability, water quality, salinity and classification.

Impact of Contractors’ Financial Capability on Construction Project Delivery in Nigeria

Zubair, Ahmed * & Ataguba, Joseph Obaja
Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria
Department of Estate Management, Federal polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Analysis of financial strength is a criteria that indicate the likelihood of contractors’ capability and therefore for a major criterion for evaluating construction contractors’ during prequalification and tender evaluation.
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of contractors’ financial capability on construction project delivery in Nigeria. Prequalification assessments based on financial reputation and other prequalification of
winning contractors’ as well as cost data relating to 67 completed building projects were source from clients; consultants and contractors. Tools for data analysis comprised frequency distribution tables, percentile, mean
item score and analysis of variance. A further decomposition of financial capability into co – variables revealed that annual turnover, value engineering, and financial prudence, financial stability, credit worthiness, tax status and financial status are among the co – variables that exert strong influence on construction project delivery. The study has clearly shown that contractors’ financial reputation is an important criterion for
evaluating potential performance of construction contractors’ during prequalification and tender evaluation.It is therefore recommended that construction practitioners and clients should only considered financial
capability of contractors to determine their level of insolvency more emphasis should be based on technical and managerial capabilities of contractors during prequalification and contract award in Nigeria.
Keywords: contractors’, financial capability, construction project delivery.

Irregular Migration and Insecurity; Implications for the Development of Rural Communities in Ikwerre L.G.A. of Rivers State

Amadi John C., Enweruzor Angela I., and Nlem Polycarp C.
Department of Geography
Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri
Email: jayceemadis@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Migration as a phenomenon is as old as man. It occurs in response to either the pull or push factors. This movement could be either internal or external. It could be “regular” in which case the migrants meet the
requirements and terms/conditions laid down by both the source (origin) country and the destination point. It could also be “irregular” wherein the migrants adopt means, approaches, and routs which are unacceptable or
termed illegal or unlawful by the destination country. When migration is irregular as it were, the migrants are put at risk. This is evident in the case of attacks on and deaths of irregular migrants along the Sahara Desert
and the Atlantic Ocean. It also endangers and depletes the human resource base of source communities which in most cases are rural communities, therefore posing a threat to the survival and sustainability of the rural
economies. This paper however examines irregular migration and insecurity, its implications for the development of rural communities. It however recommends amongst others that governments should strength
their migration laws to provide for more stringent and tougher punishment for those who aid or take part in irregular migration. There should also be a proper security/ surveillance measures put in place especially within the border territories to monitor and combat this menace of irregular migration and its attendant consequences.
Key words: Irregular Migration, Insecurity, Rural Economies, Human Resources.

Multinomial Logit Approach to Modelling Crash Severity on Selected Highways in Ondo State Nigeria.

Olajide Olaniyi Ipindola
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Email: olajideipindola@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Reducing the frequency and severity of road crashes has been the major goal of transportation agencies in developed and developing countries, considering their impact on the economy. Road transportation plays a
major role in the socioeconomic development of a developing country like Nigeria with over 80% of her freight transported by road. However, the safety of these public infrastructures, particularly two-lane single carriage
highways remain a public health and social concern. Investigation of significant causal factors of crashes is a critical step to improve safety of these highway facilities. This study employed multinomial logit model to
identify the significant factors influencing crash severity on selected two-lane single carriage highways in Ondo state Nigeria using a Four-year crash data extracted from Federal Road Safety Corps database. The
model identified 85th percentile speed of vehicles, speed-related cause, involvement of heavy vehicle, involvement of private car, single-vehicle crash and two-vehicle crash as significant factors influencing the
severity of crashes on two-lane highways in Nigeria. Road safety agencies, engineers and transportation planners will find the model developed in this study useful for remediating crashes and improving the safety
and sustainability of two-lane highways. Keywords: Multinomial Logit Model, Crash Severity, Two-lane single carriage highway

The Barriers for the Adoption of Lean Construction Principles in Nigerian Construction Firms

1M. Laisha; 2A. M. Kasimu & 3A. F. Kolawole
1&2 Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal University of Technology Minna
3Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal Polytechnic, Bida
Email: kasimumohammed@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Lean construction principles are method of minimize wastage of materials, time and effort during the course of construction projects in order to accomplish the client satisfaction. But most of the Nigerian Construction
Firms are yet to fully adopt the lean construction principles due to certain barriers. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to identify the barriers for the adoption of lean construction principles in Nigerian construction firms.
A detailed review of relevant literature was conducted with the view of collecting relevant data necessary for this paper. A total of 120 numbers of questionnaires was distributed to Engineers, Quantity surveyors,
Builders and Architects in construction firms at Abuja. The descriptive method of analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from the survey. The result obtained shows the followings as top ranked barriers
for the adoption of lean construction principles. These are (1) corruption, (2) poor planning, (3) poor communication, (4) lack of training, (5) lack of top management support & commitment and (6) lack of team
work. These aforementioned are the main barriers for the adoption of lean construction principles in Nigeria construction firms. Therefore, the paper recommended that the top management of construction firms should
be committed to the adoption of lean construction principles by ensuring teamwork among the staff, avoidance of corruption, effective communication and planning to achieve the client’s satisfaction.
Keywords: Construction Firms, Lean Construction, Lean Principles, and Project Performance

Geophysical Investigation of Groundwater Potential in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Campus, Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State, South –South Nigeria Using Electrical Resistivity Method

Okon Peter, Udeme Inyang & Itoro Sampson
Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State
Email: apostleop5family@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A geophysical investigation involving the vertical electrical sounding (VES) electrical resistivity method was carried out at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Campus ,Ikot Osurua, South-south Nigeria to determine the
subsurface layer parameters (resistivities, depth and thicknesses) with a view to determining the aquifer configurations which will assist in sitting high yield boreholes in the community.A total of four (4) vertical electrical sounding (VES) were conducted using the integrated Geo-instrument service (IGIS) resistivity meter to generate the field data. The Schlumberger sounding was carried out with current electrode spacing (AB) ranging from 1-300m. The distance used for the potential electrode spacing (MN) ranging from 0.25-10m. This array was employed in view of it resolution power and its reliability. The field data obtained were subjected to interpretation by partial curve matching and by computer iteration using IP12 WIN software.
The interpreted results were constrained by lithologic log to produce the geoelectric sections of the subsurface. Three (3) geoelectric layers were delineated and aquifer characterization of the area showed that the aquifer
resistivity is in the range of 89.2Ωm to 3287Ωm with corresponding thickness in the range of 40m to 80m although it varies in some locations. The result indicates the presence of fresh groundwater at this depth.
Keywords: Groundwater, aquifer, vertical electrical sounding (VES), Schlumberger configuration.

Minimizing Cost Overruns in Construction Projects in Nigeria

Adeagbo, Dorcas Omolola1 & Achuenu, Emmanuel2
Department of Building
University of Jos, Jos
Email: adeagbod1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

One of the important criteria for project success is project completion within budget time and the satisfaction of clients. Cost deviation from initial cost plan, has been prevalent in construction projects and the issue calls for serious concern. It is against this background that this research made attempt to investigate factors that are responsible for this phenomenon despite past research efforts. This is with a view to suggest possible
mitigating measures against this menace. Purposive sampling method was used to collect data from primary source consisting of structured questionnaire designed on Likert scale in rating of 1 to 5. The field survey was carried out with 80 questionnaire distributed to the professionals handling public construction building projects in Abuja and a response rate of 68 questionnaire returned was used for the analysis. The data collected was analysed using statistical package (SPSS). It was discovered from the data analysis that delayed payments to contractors, inflation, fraudulent practices, and inadequate financial planning are top critical factors contributing to cost overruns. In addition, mobilisation of financial resources in advance, proper and realistic planning, efficient estimation process, training on value management, change management and procurement management are also crucial to minimise cost overruns in construction industry. The study concludes with recommendations that payments should be made to contractors without delay, decision making on projects should always be fast tracked, establishment of preventive measures against unethical practices should be in place. Management should focus more on human resource related issues and adequate planning using modern technology could serve as mitigating measures for minimising cost overruns in public building construction projects.
Keywords: Construction management, Cost Overruns, Causes, Mitigation measures.

The Impact of Quarrying Activities and its Effects on the Environment in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area: Hosere Joyi Community

1Hammantukur A. & 1Friday A. Ogwu
1Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
Email: fridayogwu@mautech.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Quarrying is an activity where stones are dug for the purpose of being used in building, making roads through cutting, digging or blasting. Quarrying is a short-term activity with long term effects. It comes along with the promises of wealth and jobs but it also brings high environmental costs. The aim of the paper is to unearth impacts that quarrying activities has and its effects on health of the people living close to the quarries as well as physical environment. The paper utilized multiple data sourcing method: Personal observation, oral interview, questionnaires administration as well as Maps of the study area. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered to residents of the four settlements sampled. The data were analyzed
using descriptive statistical analyses. The findings were based on the responses from local residents, quarry workers and owners. The results revealed that there are high rates of environmental problems. This paper
concludes that the quarrying activity has affected the peoples’ health, rooms, walls, farmlands, vegetation and surroundings in negative ways. It therefore recommends that the Government and other environmental
stakeholders should ensure proper enforcement of the laws governing the Physical planning and regulations on any development of quarrying and mining industries. Government should revoke licenses of the quarry
owner who do not adhere to the set laws. Environmental impact assessments and Environmental risk assessments are some of the ways forward. Key Words: Impact, Quarrying Activities, Environment, Mayo-Belwa