ASSESSMENT OF SOIL PROPERTIES AT GULLY EROSION SITES IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Samaila, Kunden Ishaya and Onu, Veronica

Department of Geography

Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Email: ikunden@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Gully erosion is a serous environmental problem that has created irretrievable changes in most parts of Nigeria’s environment. Despite several measures at addressing this environmental catastrophe erosion is still a problem that has seemed to defy all possible solutions. This study assessed soil properties at gully erosion sites in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Data for this study were sourced mainly from fieldwork. This involved the collection of soil samples at the gully erosion sites. A total of eleven soil samples at the gully sites and three at control sites were taken. The soils samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties such as; bulk density and total porosity by core method, Bouyoucos hydrometer method for particle size, moisture content and organic matter were determined after Walkey and Black (1934), pH using a glass-calomel combination electrode, available phosphorous Bray p-1 extracting solution, total nitrogen by macro-kjedal method, base saturation calculated as the sum of exchangeable bases divided by C.E.C, exchangeable acidity by titration method, cation exchangeable capacity, Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺ by Ammonium acetate leaching method, while K⁺ ,  and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer screening.  Findings from the study showed that electrical conductivity was between 60umhos to 210umhos, with a mean of 114.55umhos indicating salinity built up in the soil. pH was between 4.55 to 10.18, with a mean of 6.43 showing high variation in distribution, Nitrogen concentration was from.04% to .42%, with a mean of .13% and was low as in most West African Soils, sodium was between .48meq/kg to .53meq/kg, with a mean of .52meq/kg, magnesium 1.28meg/kg to 1.70meq/kg, with a mean of 1.55meq/kg, calcium was 3.38meq/kg to 4.01meq/kg, with a mean of 3.68meq/kg  and potassium from .10meq/kg to .39meq/kg, with a mean of .25meq/kg. These major cations were generally low in the soils. Trace elements such as iron, zinc and copper were also low for the soils at the gully sites. A T-test showed the properties of the soils at the gully sites and control sites had no significant difference in distribution at 0.05 confidence level. The study therefore recommends that, there is the need for reclaiming the gully erosion sites to restore them to usable state and also increase in tree planting so as to reduce the threat pose by erosion in the study area.

Keywords: Gully, Anthropogenic, Degradation, Salinity and Processes

THE ROLE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PLAYS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH.

¹Arc.Boyce A. Odoko, ²Ealefoh Dominic E. ³Sadiq Haruna ⁴Onwuka Okechukwu

¹Department of Architecture, National Institute of construction Technology, Uromi,

²Department of Building Technology, National Institute of Construction Technology Uromi, Edo State.

³Department of Quantity Surveying, National Institute of Construction Technology Uromi, Edo State.

Email: odokoarch@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The construction industry is an engine that provide economic growth in all nations. As compared to other sectors in economic development, such as manufacturing services and agriculture, the construction industry stands above in provision of direct contribution to the economic growth. All other sectors depends on the physical infrastructure constructed by the construction industry required for production and distribution of goods and services. Transportation includes the road net-work and the medium that moves goods and services from one location to the other. Every other sector depends on effective and reliable transportation infrastructure provided by the construction industry to function. The construction industry is an engine of employment creation which facilitates economic growth. The construction industry also generates employment in other sectors because they can only function very well, and create employment in their sector based on the construction of effective and reliable road transportation systems by the construction industry. Because of the connection with other industries such as financial services, transportation sector, manufacturing sector and commerce generates economic activities and employment based on effective and reliable road transportation network provide by the construction industry. Therefore, this paper will focus on the construction industry as it provides economic growth.

Keywords: Construction, Industry, Economic Growth, Road-Network, Transportation, Goods, Services, Infrastructure, Employment, Business, Organization, Environment, Work Performance, Work Productivity.

ANALYSIS OF LAND USE TYPES ALONG MAJOR TRANSPORT AXIS IN THE BENIN METROPOLIS

Aiworo, Barry A.

Department of Urban and Regional Planning,

School of Environmental Studies,

Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Benin City.

Email: aiworo.ba@esitmusen.edu.ng, aiworobarrya@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examines analysis of land use types along major transport axis in the Benin metropolis. The overall aim of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive analysis ofland use types and pattern along the major transport axis in the Benin Metropolis. The satellite imagery of Benin was obtained with the help of Arcgis 10.2. Benin street guide map was sourced from Ministry of Lands and Survey, Benin City. Field observations were also adopted. Five selected routes were focused on and these corridors include Ugbowo-Isiohor-Oluku, Sapele road-Okha, Siluko road-Egor, Upper Sakponba road-Idogbo, and Aduwawa-Idokpa axis. It was found out that the land use along major transport axis in the Benin metropolis indicated that mixed land use and commercial land use are the most predominant along the major transport corridors. The existing land use analysis along selected major transport axis revealed that, on the average, 80 percent of the lands are of mixed uses followed by commercial land use which has 16.6 percent on the average. It was recommended thatgovernments at all levels should consider the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of arterial roads, collector and local access roads. This is because socio-economic activities are a measure of wealth of a nation and enhanced value through provision of good road network will be worthwhile

SURFACE STORM SEWAGE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, NIGERIAN CITIES CHOICE FOR STORM DISCHARGE

¹Arc.Boyce A. Odoko ²Olokpo Morgan I. ³Ealefoh Dominic E. ⁴Onwuka Okechukwu

¹Department of Architecture, National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo state.

^2,3,4Department of Building Technology, National Institute of Construction Technology Uromi, Edo State.

Email: odokoarch@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Throughout Nigeria, from small to large cities, surface open channel storm sewage drainage system is the choice for rain water disposal. Even municipals with flat terrain, with all constrains in sloping the storm drain, they invest on the open channel storm drainage system, still. These open channels accumulates debris, solid materials, some of the solid objects are deposited into the channels by the city inhabitants. Besides the solid objects, there are also large deposits of silt and sand that flows into these open drain channels. The debris, silt and sand deposited into the open drain channels stays there permanently with no attempt of removing them by the local city authorities. In effect, you have stagnant water with solid objects, silt and sand deposit in the open channels, this becomes permanent home for mosquito, frogs and all types of insects. At some point, the stagnant water generates extreme bad odor, circulating through the wind around the community. At this point, it has become environmental pollution issue, a public health problem for the inhabitants. This is the situation in most Nigerian cities with the surface storm sewage drainage system. People get infected by malaria every day from mosquito attack, yet municipal government authorities allow these surface storm sewage drainage system to stay with stagnant water without cleaning them. Take for example, Yenagua, the capital city of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, a coastal city with major flooding problem due to seasonal heavy rain fall. The city’s choice for storm drain is the surface open storm sewage drainage system. Throughout the city, wherever there is any storm drainage, it is the open channel storm sewage drainage system. The city has a flat landscape and therefore, it is almost impossible to slope the surface storm sewage drainage system to enable the water drain away into the river and creeks. In addition to this problem, the roads in the city are constructed and elevated above ground level for the convenience of the automobile. As a result, there is constant stagnant ground water on both sides of the roads in the city. These elevated roads seems to imply a construction that gives preference to the automobile. This is constantly creating flooding whenever it rains heavy, the rain water backs-up to the buildings and flows into the river as well. The buildings get flooded time after time from the heavy rain fall. As it happens in other cities with surface storm sewage drainage system, the surface storm drainage in Yenagua are constantly receiving debris, solid objects sometimes from human inhabitants, depositing them and when heavy rain falls, these solid objects are injected into the drain channels along with the rain water. Therefore, most of these surface storm sewage drainage systems are clogged with solid objects with rain water.

They become very good home for mosquitos, frogs, snakes and all types of insects. This is a major health problem and financial cost on the city inhabitants, they facing with constant malaria infections, due to the presence of the mosquitos. The stagnant water generates diseases and each time the city inhabitants are infected with disease, they bear the financial cost for treatment.

When people get sick, they do not go to work as a result, it reduces work productivity and subsequently, it lowers the economic base of the city. Therefore, this letting of debris, solid objects, silt, sand and stagnant water to stay in the surface storm sewage drainage system must be properly addressed by the local municipal authorities. They need to periodically clean up the surface drain channels to avoid the constant environmental pollution in the community. Better yet, they should invest in underground storm sewage drainage system.

Keywords: Surface Storm Drainage, Open Channel Drainage, Storm water Overflow, Flooding, Blockage, Debris

RISKS INVOLVED IN JOURNEY TO SCHOOL AND ACCESS PATTERN AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Aiworo, Barry A.

Department of Urban and Regional Planning,

School of Environmental Studies,

Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Benin City.

Email: aiworo.ba@esitmusen.edu.ng, aiworobarrya@gmail.com

                                                   ABSTRACT

This paper examines the risks involved in journey to school and access pattern among school children in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The risk includes accident, molestation (sexually) and kidnapping. A sampling ratio of twelve percent (12%) was taken from 396 schools in Benin City. By implication, 49 schools were randomly selected in Benin City for this research. A total of 42,053 students in the 49 schools constitute the sample frame for the research. Two percent (2%), 841 students were taken as the sample size. The use of stratified sampling method was applied by stratifying the study area (Benin City) into local governments- Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo. Thereafter, the lists of schools in the various local governments were obtained from the Ministry of Education before the schools for research were randomly chosen from each local government area. The analysis revealed that 6.7% of the total students interviewed have been involved in road accidents. 1.04% of the total respondents said at one time or the other that they have been kidnapped. Finally, the research found that travel is comparatively safe and believes this may be partly attributable to safer route to schools and school children being more familiar with the school journey. The research indicates that children aged between eleven and fifteen are most at risk of hit or knocked down on Benin City’s roads. These findings may help in planning and targeting road safety initiative (education, campaigns) in Benin City.

Keywords: Accident, Molestation (Sexually), Kidnapping, Pedophile, Pedestrian

TRANSPORTATION, THE BACK –BONE OF URBAN ECONOMY

¹Arc. Boyce A. Odoko & ²Olokpo Morgan I.

¹Depatment of Architecture, National Institute of Construction Technology (N.I.C.T.),Uromi, Edo State.

²Department of Building Technology, National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State.

Email:odokoarch@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Transportation and its impact on urban environment, that is, the physical environment, social and economic activities of the urban center is very significant. In urban environment, there is the residential area, the manufacturing area and the central business district. Transportation is very important aspect of any urban center anywhere in this world, regardless of the level of development. Goods are produced at the industrial area, that is, the manufacturing area, these goods must be transported to the ware houses, from the ware houses to the market place. People will buy these goods from the market place and conveniently transport the goods to their respective homes. This process requires good road network that will permeate access to and from these different location in the urban center. There must be a good physical environment, that is, good layout of road network for the people to engage in their economic activities and social life as well. People will need to go to the park for recreational activities with their families. People will go to the cinema to watch movies with their families or friends, people will go for a social night out at the night club and so on. Therefore, the most important thing here is that people must have unfiltered access to these facilities at various locations with comfort in the urban setting.

Keywords: Transportation, Goods and Services, Mobility, Economic Growth, Effective Reliable Infrastructure, Urban growth, Development, Urban Centers and Market Place.

GENERATING A GREEN TEMPLATE FOR ACHIEVING A ZERO CARBON BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Kalagbor Cyprian Chile¹& Ferdinand F.O. Daminabo²

¹ Rivers State University; Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Rivers State,

² Rivers State University ; Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Rivers State,

E-mail; cyklassconsult730@yahoo.com, ferdydaminabo@yahoo.com

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. New buildings must meet strict minimum energy efficiency parameters as part of the definition of ‘zero carbon’, both in terms of the building design and appliances. However, the fact that the UK had backtracked on its earlier commitments, does not diminish the significance of such a laudable scheme in ensuring that emissions from buildings are minimized and our planet safe. It is a commonly reported fact that around half of all global CO2 emissions can be attributed to construction, and more importantly the operation of buildings encapsulated as embodied energy, transport and operational energy with fossils as primary source of energy. The architectural profession must navigate towards a framework for sustainable design and construction that is in consonance with the global norms and concepts of sustainable development and construction technology; reforming design processes and design education in a new and sustainable way.

A significant emphasis must be geared towards the need for a paradigm shit of design transforming nature to one that transforms society towards sustainability by improving the life quality, symbiotic relationships and relationships between all living things, communities, natural and the built environment. There will also be the need of exploiting the potentials of ecological design and other green and renewable options in the built environment. Again, the role of architects as engine and agents of change cannot be overemphasized as their design and decision can constrain, alter, guide or enhance future decision or completely mar their outcome. This research will specifically advocate the promotion of new technologies, systems of production and construction methods that do not rely on natural capital, harmful chemical and fossil fuel thus promoting incorporation of renewable technologies and modern techniques and formatting a new partway and templates to a zero carbon Architecture.

Keyword: Sustainability, Zero Carbon Building, Green Architecture.

THE EFFECTS OF STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION IN BUILDING COMPONENTS (A CASE STUDY OF JMDB ESTATE HOUSING, TUDUN WADA ROAD, JOS PLATEAU STATE)

O. Onazi, N.S. Gaiya, E.O. Ola-Adisa and W.L. Zacchaeus

Department of Architecture

University of Jos, Jos

Email:olaefeadisa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Structural deterioration of building is an action that can occur spontaneously which can affect the individual building components and to the general structure. Deterioration can begin to present itself in form of cracked wall, foundations or floors, moisture penetration, leakages of roofs decomposition or rust of roof members etc. since the building is exposed to so many factors such as natural (weather) elements, it is bound to deteriorate even when not occupied. There are many reasons why building lie fallow and untreated, however the dangers are enormous. Maintenance of buildings appears to be the dominating factor that checks the deteriorative nature of the building, averting hazards posed by deterioration in buildings. Deterioration has strong effects on the structural stability of the building, as well as the comfort/health or safety of occupants and finally the life-span of the building. Although the building is a capital asset of the organization, instead of building owners assume maintenance of the building as a vain liability and not a priority.

Keywords: Corrective Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Structural Deterioration

AN APPRAISAL OF WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SATELLITE COMMUNITIES OF ABUJA

Inalegwu I. Ella, Erekpitan O. Ola-Adisa, and Y.P. EMangden

Department of Architecture

University of Jos, Jos

Email: ellainaina@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper appraises practices of the stakeholders in the waste management industry and satellite communities of the FCT. The study revealed a waste-collection system that is sound in principle but with deficiencies because of the declining quality of the waste managers’ service delivery and residential practices. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the stakeholders can hopefully address these gaps and perhaps determine more effective roles for stakeholders in awareness and advocacy. The results of this study showed that while several residents in the Kubwa locality understand the need to have a clean environment as well as the challenges that might occur if the opposite were the case, the storage, collection and final disposal of waste is fast overwhelming the authorities in the FCT. They also revealed that respondents agreed and were willing to participate in sustainable waste management practices but were of the opinion that the Government is not doing enough to encourage their involvement in the process.