CONSTRUCTION COST INDICES AND SOURCES (CCIS): A SUMMARY OF SOME INTERNATIONAL SOURCES AS GUIDE IN NIGERIA

Usman Muhammad Danjuma, Alamu F. Bosede and Umesi O. Ruth

Department of Quantity Surveying

The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Bida

ABSTRACT

Construction cost indices and sources (CCIS) are terms that have been echoed around the world by researchers and practitioners alike. Many governments all over the world have intervened in the construction industry with the aim of improving efficiency and saving public funds. The objective of the paper is to educate the government on construction cost indices and to improve a better understanding of the construction cost sources. This paper define cost index in simple terms; highlight the factors to be considered in constructing an index and uses of cost index/applications. It also articulate cost indices philosophies as input indices, output indices, hybrids, building cost and tender price indices. The development of various construction cost sources was investigated. Some sources provide adjustment factors for locations and others provide adjustments for time. Availability of CCIS may not be a panacea to all the problems in the construction industry but it will surely make it better. It was concluded that project promoters and estimators to carefully assess the situation at hand and prior to selection of an applicable cost index for a preliminary cost estimating exercise. A major recommendation from the research was that, a workable construction cost indices Data Bank that would be well articulated and managed be put in place in the country for accurate and reliable data storage and accessibility at all times.

SURVEY OF FUELTYPE/ENERGY UTILIZATION PATTERN IN URBAN AREA OF JOS, PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA

¹Umaru Auwalu N. ²Adamu M. Babayo, ²Bello Muhammed M. ³Hassan Bilkisu

¹Department of Architecture, University of Jos, Jos

²Department of Architecture, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi

³Department of Architecture, College of Environmental Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic

Email:ayola3@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Several fuel have been used for domestic cooking through history ranging from solid to liquid  and  gaseous  forms,  Renewable  and  non-renewable,  each  coming  with  an associated  problem,  ranging  from  environmental  pollution  to  depletion  of  material reserve. Today the rising prices of energy (cooking fuel) and fear of sustainability of renewable sources has been a major concern over the years. This study enumerated and documented the existing domestic cooking fuel-type and utilization pattern in Anguwan Rogo/Anguwan Rimi in Jos. A quantitative research method was adopted; through a field and randomized selection of 385 respondents using face-to-face interview format through structured questionnaire, . The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the field survey revealed substantial difference in the fuel-type utilization patterns of the household and household dwellers qualities. Accordingly, the result indicated the fuel-type energy utilization pattern as; fire wood 33%, charcoal 12%, Kerosene 46%, electricity 5% and Gas (LPG) show 4%.

EVALUATION OF COST VARIATION IN SUBSTRUCTURAL WORKS OF BUILDINGS (CASE STUDY OF KATSINA MASS HOUSING ABUJA)

Abdulrahman Rilwan Shuaibu& Abdulrahman Hassan Shuaibu²

Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal University of Technology, Minna

²Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Minna

Email: ridwanshuayb1@gmail.com & ahas92@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

No matter how detailed and precise a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is, variations are inevitable. Information regarding the extent to which these variations affect construction cost are very scanty especially for sub structural works. This research evaluates the cost variation in sub-structural works of building projects (Katsina mass housing estate). Systematic random sampling technique was used and a total of 74 numbers of duplexes was taken as the sample size out of 107. Data were sorted from the BOQ for the project and thorough physical re-measurement of sub-structural works was estimated. Consequently the mean of each sub structural works were calculated from which the percentage cost variation of each item of work in substructure were determined. Sub-structural components which are largely dependent on prices of goods  like cement and reinforcement had marginal variation while others  which are dependent on ground conditions like back filling, laterite filling had gross variations. Comparing the means for both measured and re-measured costs showed that the difference was significant.

ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF HOTEL LOBBIES PREFERENCES THAT ENHANCE PATRONAGE 

Yawate Vahyala Elisha¹ & Zachariah Bako Zinas²

¹Department of Architecture, MAUTECH, Yola, Nigeria

²Department of Architecture, MAUTECH, Yola, Nigeria

Email: vahyalayawat@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT

The lobby of a hotel building is the first port of call to such a building hence the first interior impression of the building is generated. Various literature reviews suggest that a stimulating physical environment has the potential to make a positive impact on customers’ perceptions and behavior. However, there is lack of data pertaining to the physical environment that emphasizes attractiveness of hotel lobbies that will enhance patronage. This study aimed at providing solutions to comfortable and aesthetically pleasing hotel lobbies. The objective of this study is to examine which variations of five lobby architectural elements are preferred by hotel guests and thus, ascertain how these elements affect their overall behaviors toward the total hotel’s environment. The elements were chosen based on observations of existing hotel lobbies in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria and reviews of related literature. The study used questionnaire method.  Opposing variations of each element were looked at during the data collection. The findings of the study revealed large scale lobby; hard material (tiles) for floor finishing; stucco for wall finishing; seating type (sofas /seats /chairs) arranged in group and service areas (bar, dining and shop) are preferred. Variations of hotel lobby’s architectural elements proved that all the five architectural elements have significant impact in enhancing patronage. It is recommended among others that the architects and interior designers should be encouraged to design a hotel lobby that will ensure good and lasting memory for hotel guests and visitors alike.

POLLUTION INDEX OF SOME LAKES IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

¹Abiaziem, C. V. and ²Adewole, A.

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State

²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State

Email: vyvycox@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Lake water is a sink for different waste discharge and effluents; hence it is a good indicator of environmental pollution. Studies were carried out on the quality of some lake water in Ibadan to ascertain the extent of pollution. The following lakes were sampled and analyzed; Agodi, Awba, Eleyele and IITA lakes. In this regards, four sampling points were selected for each lake and the following parameters were analyzed; temperature, pH, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, oil and grease, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, total hardness, nitrate, chloride, ammonia, sulphate and phosphate using standard analytical methods. The results of the analyses showed that the pH of the lake water ranged from 8.0±0.02 to 8.3±0.05. Other values of range are: Total Solids – 330±26 to 730±51mg/L; DO-1.93±0.06 to 7.64±0.46mgO₂/L; BOD – 5.7±0.4 to 11±1.0mgO₂/L; COD – 130±5.3 to 160±9.2mgO₂/L; Total hardness – 99±2.2 to 160±3.7mg CaCO₃/L. The results of the analyses indicate that most of the physico-chemical parameters of the water sample were within the WHO and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) maximum permissible limits for drinking water. They are not high enough to be hazardous.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVALENCE IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES WITHIN ADDO-ODO/OTA LGA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA 

Simon, R. Funsho¹, Akinpelu, P. Olusegun², Iselewa O. Eunice³

^{1, 2} Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria

³Department of Sociology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

Email: funshosimon@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

There are certain diseases that are most prevalent among certain human living environment or community. Such includes cholera and malaria diseases that occur from time to time Iju community and other three in this study are typical Nigerian localities that malaria has become an epidemic problem. This study therefore sets out to investigate the most prevailing environmental related diseases in four proximate communities of Iju, Igboloye, Obere and Onibukun all within Ado-Odo/Ota local government. The research’s aim was achieved through a quantitative research method by which two hundred randomly sampled populations were drawn and the subsequent enquiry across the community through a direct questionnaire method. The generated data were processed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) from which findings has revealed that malaria is most prevalent nagging disease in the selected communities. Investigation further indicated some common factors as causes of malaria among which are poor physical environment and ignorance of how to handle the challenge. The study unveiled that low educational status population or person earns a poor living which in turns has implication on proper living condition of his environment. The study concludes that much work still needs to be done in research and by the government with the intention to taming the ugly ravaging situation in the communities. The employment of both orthodox and traditional medicine is suggested as combat tools on the malaria ravaged society.