THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN SIMULATING PORTHARCOURT CITY MASS TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM

Otoro-Theodore, Wonimidei

Department of Architecture

Rivers State University NkpoluOroworukwo, Port –Harcourt

E-mail: Ojay4dizzle@yahoo.com

Abstract:

Transportation as a major activity in human existence forms the basis of all socioeconomic interactions as inadequate transport facilities often hinders economic development. Bad roads, inadequate fleets of vehicles, inadequate trains, overcrowded airplanes and congested ports are common features of developing world transportation service like in port Harcourt, and Nigeria at large, the aim of this study is to examine the role government can play to stimulate and solve Port Harcourt city transportation problems using computer based software, Descriptive research design was adopted in this study, questionnaires was used to obtain data from commuters and transporters from some transport routes in the city such as, Zoo to Mile1 park, Oil Mile to Mile1 Park to Borokiri, Rumuokoro ( Okoronudo) – Mile1 to Borokiri and Mile1 to Leventis to NPA. Data collected were analyzed and presented graphically, the result of the study shows that there is serious transportation problems in port Harcourt, and can best be solved using a computer software matrix system. Therefore, in this research work computer software was developed to tackle the problem.  Some constraints were established and the developed software was tested with life data to ascertain the usefulness of the computer programme. It also was recommended there is an urgent on the part of government to actively develop strategies and system that will facilitate the process of road transportation system in Nigeria.

Key words: Transportation, Movement. Problems, Programme, software

A CRITIQUE OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: APPRAISING FACTORS AFFECTING NO/LOW INCOME EARNERS IN IBADAN

O. Babatunde¹, J.O. Awofodu² & O. M. Oladunmoye³

¹Department of Architectural Technology, Oke – Ogun Polytechnic, Saki Oyo State.

²Department of Architecture, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State

³Department of Architecture, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Abstract

Despite some attempts at achieving decent housing for Nigerians, Nigeria as a whole failed to address the dire housing conditions of her population. The situation has been partially ameliorated through the activities of the private sector housing developers who have mainly concentrated on the upper-middle and upper earners of the housing market and government housing schemes targeting the lower-middle earners with no known focus on the low and no-income earners, which recent studies reveal to cover over 60% of the working class population creating an acute need for intervention. Yet, there are some factors affecting low or no-earners’ in the area of housing affordability. This is the gap in knowledge sought to be filled by this study. The survey research design was adopted for this study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Simple systematic random sampling techniques was adopted in administering a set of questionnaire to respondents. The findings revealed the relative contribution of each of the independent variables to the prediction of the dependent variable Housing the low income earners in Ibadan North L.G.A of Oyo state in logical order  Housing Affordability ( Beta = .119; t = 5.156; p < 0.05). The study also revealed that factors like housing accessibility, income per family, high house rent and financial wherewithal low earner’s relatives greatly affect no/low income earners in terms of housing affordability. It is thus concluded that access to building finance at favorable terms to developers of low-income accommodation and credit facilities for housing construction should be expanded.

Key words: Accommodation, Affordability, Housing, Housing Market, Low/No Earners.

DETERMINATION OF SCHWARZSCHILD’S RADIUS OF SOME PLANETARY BODIES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM USING NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

¹Ahmadu Muhammad Aliyu & ²Jamaludeen Sambo

Department of Physic

Faculty of Science, Gombe State University,Gombe ,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The need to understand black hole formation, property and absorption of other celestial bodies is an interesting issue in Astrophysics and Astronomy. In this paper we avoided complex mathematical difficulty to obtain Schwarzschild’s radius of some planetary bodies, and this radius was computed using Newtonian expression for escape velocity. Results obtained shows that among the planets Jupiter requires a very large amount of gravitational pull to reduce to black hole and was found to be exactly the same with that using Schwarzschild’s metric.

Keywords and phrases: Black hole, Schwarzschild’s radius, Newtonian expression, escape velocity                                                  

LANDSCAPE RECLAMATION FOR ABANDONED MINING SITE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION ON THE JOS PLATEAU

Emmamoge Orewere¹, Ayodele Owonubi¹ & Sada Zainab²

¹Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology,

Federal College of Forestry, Jos

 ²Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Design,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nation particularly (goal fifteen) subtitled: LIFE ON LAND: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss targeted for year 2030  and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 (NV 20:2020) Economic Transformation Blueprint cannot be overemphasized. Illegal mining is one of the biggest problems with regard to environmental destruction and ecological disruptions. It presents a plethora of environmental, social and economic problems. Thus using abandoned quarries as sites for new construction is a useful form of reclamation, one that has occurred throughout history. The main thrust of this paper, is to reclaim an abandoned mining site through landscape development for outdoor recreation to tourist who needs to recreate either actively or passively on the Jos Plateau. The study objective is to develop the conceptual framework to serve as a basis for creating a suitable design of an abandoned mining area. It focuses on Guut-Rayfield area in Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The methodology employed for this study is physical site survey, case studies and literature search. The paper submits by way of conclusion that land reclamation strategies through landscape development should be implemented alongside mining plan for effective restoration after mining operation ceases. Working closely with community dwellers, allied professionals, and the government would ensure sustainable development is achieved. 

Keywords: Landscape reclamation, Mining site, Outdoor recreation, Plateau

BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVEL MEASUREMENT IN DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, CAMPUS III, ABRAKA, NIGERIA

Osiga-Aibangbee Damaris

Department of Science Laboratory Technology,

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro

Abstract

An in-situ measurement of the background radiation level was carried out at the Delta State University Campus III, Abraka. A portable Radiation levels monitor FS2011+ and ETREX Germin GPS was used for the measurement. A total of 22 points (11 outdoor and 11 indoor) was surveyed across the campus for background environmental radiation. The outdoor dose rate varies from 0.13µSv/hr to 0.25µSv/hr. For the indoor measurement, the minimum dose rate 0.12µSv/hr the maximum dose rate 0.23µSv/hr. It was noticed that the outdoor dose level was higher than the indoor dose level. The results show that the average outdoor and indoor point studied is 0.19µSv/hr and 0.12µSv/hr and this radiation level did not exceed the recommended limit of 1mSv/annum by International Commission on Radiation Protection which is still less than the ICRP limit value for non-occupational population exposure.

Keywords: Radiation, emission, indoor, outdoor, dose rate, study, exposure