PER CAPITA WASTE GENERATION AND VARIATION IN KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

A.T. Ogah* and M.M. Alhassan**

*Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

**Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: tankogah@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Increasing amount of waste is clearly an issue of concern within the satellite towns of the Federal Capital City of Abuja. In the last decade, these satellite towns have witnessed tremendous influx of immigrants resulting in the overstretching of the basic infrastructural facilities, one of which is waste collection and disposal facility. This study examined per capita waste generation and its variation in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. The objectives of this research were achieved using 300 copies of questionnaire administered to heads of households and weighing of waste. Solid wastes generated within twenty four hours were weighed and recorded. Data derived from field were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive statistics to determine the per capita wet and dry season’s waste generation for the various sampling locations across the study area, student’s t-test was used in assessing the significance of the difference in average per capita waste generation. Results obtained shows that the rate of per capita waste generation for the three sites is 0.537kg and 0.92kg for dry and wet seasons respectively. There is no significant variation in the amount or rates of waste generated among the three study sites in the two seasons at 5% probability level (.090 > 0.05). Therefore, it is concluded that average per capita waste generation for the three areas are almost the same, and waste generated during the dry and wet seasons varied. Recommendations include the encouragement of recycling, re-use and sorting of households waste, among others.

THE ROLE OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: AN OVERVIEW

Omozokpia E. Ruth and Mamman E. Juliet

Department of Quantity Surveying

Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

ruthomozokpia@gmail.com, julietekemenajuliet@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The perception of hazards is a research issue familiar to environmental psychologists. However, the cost implication aspects of technological hazards are one of the newly emerging topics hardly known some few decades ago but quickly gaining worldwide attention and pertinence as recent events in the world testify.  Also the hazards associated with our physical surroundings, especially those environmental components that are the products of human activities and industry have become increasingly important issues of public policy and opinion. This paper focuses on environmental hazards, natural and as a result of technological advancement. It examines tools for implementing environmental risk reduction in environmental hazard zones and skills built environmental professionals can bring in to environmental hazard management. The special professional knowledge, skills and competencies that need to be shared across all the built environment professions in relation to the entire disaster management process are established in the current literature. A literature synthesis and a comprehensive desk review were carried out to review the roles of the built professionals.

EVALUATION OF WATER RESOURCES OF BIDA TOWN IN CENTRAL NIGERIA

¹Olagoke, O. and ²Olatunji, J.A.

¹Research Outreach Department, Irrigation Unit, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi.

²Mineral Resources Engineering Department, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

 E-mail: tobaolagoke@gmail.com, olatwise@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

There are great concerns for quality of water supply all over the world most especially in developing countries. The concern in this research work is in the ancient town of Bida, which serves as one of the major stopover to the Federal Capital Territory and Minna the capital city of Niger State, where brass, glass and black smith work is a popular industry next to agriculture. The aforementioned activities have prompted the present study into the evaluation of water resources quality in the Bida sandstone around Bida town, Niger State, Nigeria. The sandstone occupies the central sector of Bida basin and it belongs to Bida sandstone series, which is characterised by siltstone, clay-stone and conglomerate. The aquifer types are unconfined, semi-confined and confined, with a member of the sandstone series serving as the principal aquifer. Various methods (physical, chemical and bacteriological) of evaluating surface and groundwater were employed to detect localities with good quality and area where water is loaded with chemical and bacteriological substances in undesirable amount. The study revealed that major elements analyzed have concentrations that are within the World Health Standard. However, in some localities especially around area where the major brass works are carried out, the surface water have the following trace elements: Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cr in an amount higher than World Health Standard. Generally, the well and river water contains coliform and faecal coliform in an amount beyond the stipulated amount safe for human consumption, which is an indication of domestic contamination. The overall finding is that the groundwater obtained from the boreholes in the study area is safer than other sources of water.

AN EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NIGER STATE

Mamman .E. Juliet and Omozokpia .E. Ruth

Department of Quantity Surveying

The Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail:ekemenajuliet@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The construction industry is multifaceted in nature because it encompasses large numbers of parties as owners or clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders and regulators. Construction projects in Niger state suffer from many problems and complicated issues in performance such as cost, time and quality. The study aims to identify and evaluate the main factors affecting the performance of construction projects in Niger state. The objectives are to evaluate the most significant key performance indicators of construction projects and to formulate recommendations to improve performance of construction projects. In the study, factors affecting the performance of construction projects were identified from a literature search and subjected to the views and opinions of respondents using a structured questionnaire. Fifty seven (57) questionnaire representing 64% were received and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results indicated that the most important factors agreed by the owners, consultants, and contractors as the main factors affecting the performance of construction projects in Niger State were: availability of personnel with a high experience and qualifications, quality of equipment and raw materials in project, conformance to specification, planned time for project construction, availability of resources as planned through project duration, average delay in payment from owner to contractor, information coordination between client and project parties. It was recommended that client should facilitate payment to contractors. All professional should participate in sensitive and vital decision-making. Continuous coordination and relationship between project participants are required for solving problems and developing project performance.

REVIEW OF SUBCONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abdullahi, A.H.

Department of Quantity Surveying,

The Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: ameehajj@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Great numbers of traders from different specialization makes construction industry complicated and unique industry. The construction process is a function of many variables and is exceptionally complex both in conception and implementation. In a construction project of appreciable size, it is probable that much of the actual work will be sub-contracted. The situation is no longer obtainable for a contractor (builder) to simply carry out all the works for the client. This is as a result of the need to involve other specialists in some elements of the work. Success of a construction project is essential depending on the ability of the general contractor to select the appropriate subcontractor during bidding process, and the sufficient management of subcontractor during construction. Main contractors use subcontracting as a means of surviving the volatility of the construction business cycle such as transferring financial risks and burdens and offloading direct employment responsibility. The construction industry is one of the main sectors of the economy. The contracting companies carry out important construction projects in cooperation with subcontractors. The majority of works in construction projects (such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, painting, carpentry, and ironmongery works) are implemented by subcontractors through the main contractors. The paper is a summary of literature review done on the definitions, relationship between the client, contractor (builder) and the sub-contractor, formation of building contracts.

an investigation oN THE Causes of building collapse in nigeria

¹Alamu F. Bosede and ²Gana Matthew Sunday

¹Department of Quantity Surveying, The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

²Department of Building Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: vickkykemmy4love@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The paper examines the causes of building collapse in Nigeria. The objectives are set to determine the general causes of some building collapse and to evaluate the extent of loss in terms of life and properties. The paper attributes the rising incidents of building collapse to the use of substandard building materials and incompetent professionals in construction activities, inadequate supervision, faulty building foundation, the refusal of the wider society to recognise professionalism and pay for the services and the attitude of the building contractors and other stakeholders as the major problem. The paper asserts that promoting or achieving an enduring safety culture in building involves designing, constructing and using buildings in such a manner as to make the building safe for occupation and for carrying out all desired activities. Strategies for ameliorating the trend are suggested. The paper posits that the professionals responsible for designing and monitoring construction as well as the government, manufacturers and the contractors have great roles to play in other to reduce and avert this trend.

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES:

A REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION AND GREEN SPACES

¹Isah L.M., ¹Muhammad D.U. and ²Saidu Umar Y.

¹Department of Quantity Surveying, The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

²Department of Building Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

E-mail: danjumausman12@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Construction and green spaces as aspects of environmental management are concerned with the management of interaction by the modern human societies with and impact upon the environment. This research is embarked upon with the aim of discovering the relationships between the environment and forms created. Also, it involves the management of the bio-physical environment in relation to human environment, such as the social, cultural, and economic environment. Such ideas, it is hoped will bring back nature into the urban environment, and will also raise consciousness of the role that nature will play in the challenges of the 21^st century. Construction and green spaces are forms of art that will provide adequate recreation and leisure. The paper seeks to heighten awareness on sustainable construction and green spaces in Nigeria.