ZERO CARBON ARCHITECTURE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES; A PERISCOPE

Ferdinand F.O.Daminabo¹  &  Ramota Ruth Obagha²

^11,2Department of Architecture

^1,2Rivers State University of Science and Technology; Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Rivers State, Nigeria.

E-mail; ferdydaminabo@yahoo.com, ramota.obagah@ust.edu.ng

Abstract

The United Kingdom first announced its Zero carbon home policy in 2006 by the then chancellor Gordon Brown who said Britain was the first country to make such an announcement. From Hong Kong to the United Kingdom, governments across the globe pursue greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.  In retrospect, Hong Kong’s electricity generation accounted for 67% GHG emissions in 2008. Buildings account for 90% of total electricity consumption in Hong Kong. It is well established that the greatest source of greenhouse gases is from buildings and building operations capsuled as embodied energy, transport and operational energy with fossils as primary source of energy. This paper focuses on pathways to zero carbon Architecture and enabling Renewable Energy Technology options for a sustainable Zero Carbon template of the future. The need to examine energy efficiency strategies and fabric energy efficiency targets will come into a sharp focus. The fact that the UK had recently backtracked on its earlier commitments, does not diminish the significance of such a laudable scheme in ensuring that emissions from buildings are minimized and that our planet is safe and not consumed by the severe effects of global warming and climate change.

Keyword: Zero carbon Architecture, Renewable Energy Technologies, Fabric Energy.

AN ASSESSMENT OF SELF-PURIFICATION OF RIVER BENUE IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Apeh, Sunday; Ataguba, Clement Oguche and Alhassan, Yunusa Aminu

Department of Civil Engineering,

Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria

Email: alhassanay@gmail.com

Abstract

Within Makurdi town, covering a distance of about 14KM, River Benue was monitored over a period of six (6) months in the year 2015 for self purification capacity study of the river. Two samples were taken from Benue Brewery Limited (point source) upstream and Wadata, where there is heavy concentration of people (non-point source). The process of field sampling and laboratory analyses were used for the study. Parameters investigated in this study included: BOD, COD, pH, TDS and DO. Other parameters include Hardness, Total coliform, Conductivity, Nitrate and Iron. Results obtained revealed that River Benue is capable of purifying itself with distance. The values obtained for the investigated parameters at downstream decreased from that obtained at upstream. For example, there was an improvement in the BOD from 227.7mg/l upstream to 138mg/l downstream in the month of July 2015. Similarly, the total coliform equally reduced from >1800 CFU/100ml of water upstream to 1600 CFU/100ml of water downstream in the month of July 2015. This study has revealed that River Benue in the reach of Makurdi is capable of purifying itself with distance.

EPIDIDYMAL EFFECT ON WISTAR RATS TREATED WITH ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Sida acuta LEAVE

Kebe, E. Obeten

Department of Anatomy and Forensic Science,

Cross River University of Technology, Okuku, Nigeria

Email: fredobeten@yahoo.com

Abstract

Ethanolic leaf extract of Sida acuta on the epididymis of adult wistar rats was evaluated in this study. Twenty five rats weighing between 180 – 220 g were assigned to five groups (control, olive oil control, low dose, medium dose and high dose) with five animals each. Normal control fed only on rat chow, olive oil control group received 0.5ml of olive oil. The experimental groups, low dose, medium dose and high dose received 500mg/kgBW, 1000mg/kgBW 1500mg/kgBW of the extract orally for 60days respectively. The animals were sacrificed at end of sixty days using chloroform anesthesia. The epididymis were dissected, sectioned for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Histological observations of the epididymis, showed dose dependent distortion of the normal cytoarchitecture of the organs, as the high dose revealed prominent distortion. This study thus suggests that consumption of Sida acuta at high dose may cause adverse effect on reproductive parameters and organs. Keywords: Sida acuta, epididymis, wistar rat, Histology

THE PROBLEM OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENT IN OKPOKO, OGBARU-NORTH L.G.A OF ANAMBRA STATE

Ogbuefi L.I

Department of Urban and Regional Planning,

Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

email: li.ogbuefi@coou.edu.ng

Abstract

The Squatter settlements in many of 21^st century urban cities are inevitable phenomena. They are characterized by overcrowding, inadequate accommodation, limited access to clean water and sanitation, lack of proper waste disposal system and deteriorating air quality. This paper examines the problems of squatter settlement in Okpoko, and the factors that contributed to the growth and development of squatter settlement in the study area. This paper further identified the effects of squatter settlement on the environment/condition of houses in Okpoko, and it is based on data collected through field survey using a set of questionnaires. The study area was divided into nine (9) strata/wards. For the purpose of this study, a sample size of 78 was derived using 2% valid number of buildings in Okpoko, while Stratified Sampling Technique was adopted to ensure that all the strata were equitably and sufficiently represented. The data gathered are summarized in the forms of tables/percentages and bar chart format. The result of the study indicates that the formation of squatter settlement came into play as a result of the strive for better livelihood through rural-urban migration in Okpoko, and the absence of effective development control to ensure sound, safe and sustainable environment. This paper recommends the active involvement of public agencies in the provision of houses, social rehabilitation, and programme for socio-economic enhancement, community venture projects, urban settlement improvement project, sanitation etc.

A REVIEW OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR BUILDING PROJECTS PROCUREMENT IN NIGERIA

Dosumu, Babatunde Adewale¹ Taiwo, Yetunde² Adeyemi-Doro, Oyetunji B.A.²

Department of Quantity Surveying, The Polytechnic, Ibadan¹

Department of Architecture, The Polytechnic, Ibadan²

Email: tundedosumu@yahoo.com, yetundetaiwo1@gmail.com,  adeyemidoro@yahoo.com or oyetunjiadeyemidoro@gmail.com

Abstract: The problems of the traditional method of procuring building projects led to the option and use of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria. This study undertakes a review of the practice of PPP with a view to analysing the key issues that are associated with its use in the procurement of building projects. Secondary sources of materials including reports, policy statement, journal articles, and textbooks were collected for analysis. The analysis conducted reveals that the procurement process within government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is difficult; one important source of these difficulties arose from the financing arrangement. In view of this, MDAs were seen to accord less priority in approving counterpart funds for PPP projects under their control. The evidence indicates that the process of approving PPP budgets are in no way different from other capital projects of less priority within the MDAs. As a result, PPP projects are witnessing undue bureaucratic bottlenecks and delays. To suggest solutions to the problems, it is recommended that MDAs should prioritize the funding for PPP projects and equally fast track the process of its approvals. This is expected to eliminate the bottlenecks and delays currently affecting the procurement of building projects through PPP. Conclusively, though PPP is found to be poorly practiced among MDAs, it remains a scheme that can be used to correct the procurement problems experienced in Nigerian public bureaus.

FRINGE BENEFITS AND EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED BREWERY FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Oguejiofor, Chinyere J. and Umeano Ngozi E.

Department of Office Technology and Management

Federal Polytechnic Mubi Adamawa State

E-mail: chinyere10@gmail.com, lynumeano@gamil.com

Abstract

This study was carried out on retirement benefits and employees performance in selected firms in Anambra State. The specific objective was to ascertain the effect of retirement benefits on employees’ commitment on their job. The study adopted a survey design, where structured questionnaire to which option were attached was given to the 83 respondents that formed the population of the study. The mean statistics was used to answer the research questions while the null hypothesis which stated that retirement benefits have no significant effect on employees’ commitment on the job was tested at 0.5 significant level using person correlation. Finding revealed among others that retirement benefits increase employee’s commitment on their job in the two selected firms. They study therefore recommended that human resource managers of firms should review the current retirement package since a good retirement package will attack and retain employees in their firms and also improve their performance.