Table of Contents
- Research Article
The Nigerian Petroleum Subsidy Translates to Sustained Economic Growth PDF Osondu Chimezie Nworu The on going contentious national debate on the removal of the petrol product subsidy is such a matter of national interest that requires adequate policy to avoid social crisis.
This paper will study how the fuel subsidy that was set in place to benefit and improve the social and economic welfare of the people is becoming an endemic problem.
The paper will underscore the various effects of the subsidy removal since it is likely that the government is determined to toe the line of its removal. It is certain that Nigerian sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved without the subsidy and the paper will prove the federal government wrong for taking the view that subsidy removal is an important element in the larger scheme to accelerate Nigerian's economic development. A Desktop Study (2011). Finally, solutions and reforms shall be recommended after evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various proposals pro or against. - Research Article
The Estimation of Potential Yield of Water Hyacinth: A Tool for Environmental Management and an Economic Resource for the Niger Delta Region PDF E. I. Elenwo, J. A. Akankali Water hyacinth has seriously infested the waters of the Niger Delta region, cutting across the fresh water aquatic environment of the states that make up the Niger Delta states. However, there is hardly any comprehensive empirical study towards estimating the potential yield of this weed, which though an environmental nuisance, has enormous economic uses. It is only when a realistic estimate of the annual yields available of the weed in the region becomes available, that a considerable investment in its economic utilization can be undertaken. This research was conducted using remote sensing techniques (GIS) via satellite imagery analysis and reconnaissance surveys to conduct a yield assessment survey of the weed in the region. The principal yield parameters of interest focused on by this research are its mass (weight) and extent of spread (distribution) in the region. The distribution and level of abundance of water hyacinth within the Niger Delta region were equally assessed using a combination of both satellite imagery data and extrapolation methods developed exclusively for this study. Satellite imagery data from National Space Development and Research Agency were processed as a basis to evaluate the estimated surface area coverage of water hyacinth across the region. Standard indices from literature were then used as a bench mark to combine with the satellite imagery estimates in determining the approximate total abundance of the water hyacinth in the region. Names of major rivers and creeks where this weed occurs were also identified through satellite imagery. The study arrived at a total biomass estimate of the weed in the region to be 3,225,000 tons/for the region/year. The study concluded that such yield value annually is adequate to invest in large facilities that could be used to economically utilize the weed and also indirectly control its myriad of environmental problems in the region. - Research Article
Cross-Border Migrants' Integration in Rural Border Communities of South-West Nigeria PDF POPOOLA Kehinde Olayinka The study examined Cross border migrants' integration in rural border communities of Ogun and Oyo States, South-West Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the survey. The sample size was determined by a snowball sampling technique and a total of 173 duly completed questionnaires administered to the household heads in each sampled household were used.
It was discovered in the study that many of the migrants were from neighbouring Benin Republic. Also majority of the respondents were males. Most of the cross border migrants were still in their active working age (21-50years) while many had no basic education, a good number of them were farmers. The migrants migrated because of bad economic condition in their country of origin. Many of the migrants rented their houses and land. Majority preferred marrying among themselves. None of the respondents have legal stay and majority still aspire to go back to their country of origin. All these are indications of low level of migrants' integration in the RBC of SW Nigeria. This study concluded that the identified socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the migrants are relevant factors for consideration in planning for the integration of migrants in RBC of SW Nigeria. - Research Article
Hazards Assessment Analyses of Fossil-fuel Generators: Holistic-study of Human Experiences and Perceptions in South-Southern Nigeria PDF Ibhadode Osagie, Ibhadode Peter, Okougha, A. F., Umanah, I. I., Aitanke, F. O., Fiyebo, S. A. B. Users of fossil-fuel generators for electricity-supply to households/buildings/premises/apartments in Port-Harcourt, Uyo & Calabar metropolitan-cities [and environs] of Nigeria, with their Neighbours were repeatedly engaged for three (3) consecutive years, to determine their subjective-perceptions and experiences of the associated environmental, health, psycho-social, financial, security and safety hazards/issues etc. Field surveys/investigations were conducted on the study-area, which was segmented into three-hundred (300) settlement-clusters; then, tailor-suited questionnaires were administered to generator-users and their neighbours [as "˜respondents']. After analyzing the data, research-findings revealed that: There is an overwhelming dependence on, and a prevalent/predominant use [80.1% of all 68,400 households/buildings/premises/apartments surveyed in 3 years] of fossil-fuel generators in these cities and environs. Some generator-users are fully-aware and "˜strongly-agree' that, there are related: Environmental-hazards [air-pollution (50.9%) and noise-pollution (48.8%) etc.]; Health-hazards [sleep-disturbance (84.6%), hearing-loss (67.1%), ophthalmic-problems (45.0%) & difficulty in mental-concentration (88.8%) etc.]; Psycho-social issues [quarrels/verbal confrontations (89.4.0%), reports to local-authority(ies)/mediation (6.4%), revenge-attempts (2.6%), forced-relocations (1.3%), arrests (0.2%) & litigation (0.1%) etc.]; Financial-implications [purchase-costs ranging from US$90.91 - ≥US$60,606.06 etc.]; Security concerns/challenges [the 5,500 reported cases of gunshot-violence i.e. 41.8% of all 13,158 generator-related crimes committed etc.]; and Safety-hazards [fire-incidences, fuel-ingestions and deaths accounting for 5.6%, 60.5% and 2.2% resp. of all 8,928 reported-cases of generator-use related accidents]. - Research Article
Fiscal Decentralization and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Multivariate Co-Integration Approach PDF Ewetan, O. O., C. S. Ige, D. N. Ike This paper examines the long run and causal relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2012 using time series data. Results from a multivariate VAR model provide evidence of long run relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in Nigeria. The three measures of fiscal decentralization have a positive and significant relationship with economic growth, Granger Causality test reveals long run unidirectional link running from fiscal decentralization to economic growth. The study recommends the need for government to urgently address the constitutional issue of fiscal powers among the three tiers of government to further strengthen the fiscal base of the state and local governments and increase further the level of fiscal decentralization.
- Research Article
Impacts of Electrical Hazards on Nigerian Construction Industries with a View to Provide Safety Measures- Case Study of Kaptron Technologies PDF Adekunle A., Asaolu G.O., Adiji K., Bamiduro H.A. Electrical hazard remains a global occurrence that plagues construction industries in Nigeria Electricity is one of the most common causes of fires, electric shocks, electrocutions and thermal burns in construction industries. Because electricity is a familiar part of our lives, it is often not treated with enough caution. As a result, an average of one worker is electrocuted on the job every day of every year during construction work. No one can replace a worker or loved one that has died or suffered an irreparable consequence of an electrical accident. Researchers are of the opinion that electrical safety in the construction sector is an indispensable component for economic development of the country. In the light of the above, this paper examines the impacts of electrical hazards on the Nigerian construction industries with a view to provide safety measures using Kaaptron technologies as case study. The amount of current the body can withstand, the time it takes a body to be electrocuted when in contact with electricity and risk analyses were issues considered in this study. This study also used a participatory appraisal technique whereby, the electrical engineers and technicians were made to identify the types and magnitude of electrical hazards they encounter in their daily lives. The overall study shows that tasks performed under wet conditions could draw current as high as 480mA and that a body of 500Ω resistance has just 0.2s to be electrocuted when in contact with a 120v supply. The risk analysis revealed that 6 out of 10 construction devices were not safe to work on. Safety measures to eliminate injuries or deaths at construction sites were proffered.