Geographical Information System (GIS): A Critical Tool for Energy Science Analysis

This paper examined the critical role of GIS in energy science analysis with practical examples. It is established that GIS has the capability to identify the location of energy resources and it can also be used in mapping, analysis, exploration, monitoring, modelling and management of energy resources. In spite of these capabilities, GIS has not been properly exploited in energy science due to lack of awareness of what GIS can do especially in less developed countries. This is a challenge to GIS community. There is therefore a need for enlightenment of the public and stakeholders on the functionalities of GIS

Energy Consumption in Ghana and the Story of Economic Growth, Industrialization, Trade Openness and Urbanization

Energy has become increasingly very essential for the growth and development of every nation. However, in Ghana there is a shortfall of energy supply amidst growing demand. Using data from the World Bank Indicators, the study therefore investigates the impact of growth, industrialization, urbanization and trade openness on the energy consumption in Ghana. A Johansen cointegration test shows a long-run relationship exist among all the variables. In the short run, trade openness reduces energy consumption, while income and industrialization increases consumption. The coefficient of urbanization was found to be positive though was not significant. In the long-run trade openness and urbanization increased energy consumption while income reduces energy consumption. The error correction term shows an average or moderate speed of adjustment implying that after a shock from previous year; approximately 50% of the disequilibria from the previous year’s shock converge back to the long-run equilibrium in the current year. Conclusions and policy recommendations are provided

Impacts of Household Wastewater on the Environment: The Case of Debre Markos Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

The study is conducted in Debre Markos Town which is the capital of East Gojjam Administrative Zone. The paper aims at assessing the impacts of household wastewater management on environment. The existing household wastewater management in the Town is very poor and creates adverse impact on environment like health problem, river and air pollution. These are due to shortage of vacuum trucks to empty toilet, absence of central sewer system, improper drainage systems of household wastewater, low income and lack of awareness of the community to manage household wastewater are the common problems in the Town. As the result, the community discharges household wastewater in to open space, river and streams. Both primary and secondary data were used. The existing household wastewater management condition, the impact of inadequate household wastewater management and challenges were evaluated after findings based on the household survey of 162 sample respondents, interview and field observations. Microsoft-excel were used to present and analyze; and bar graph, pie chart and tables, percentages and figures were used. The results of the study included: the existing household wastewater management services was inadequate, health problem, river, stream and air pollution are impacts of improper management of household wastewater, insufficient infrastructure, lack of coordination between institutions, inadequate participation of stakeholders and lack of community awareness are challenges to manage household wastewater in the Town. Based on findings of the result and the case study; increase inaccessibility of household wastewater management facilities, creating awareness to community, coordination and integration among institutions, participation of stakeholders and provide sewerage system are the recommendations forwarded in order to promote proper household wastewater management system in the Town

The Language Question, Development and the Education of the Disadvantaged through Open and Distance Learning (ODL): A Case of the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU)

This paper focuses on the language question and the education of the disadvantaged through open and distance learning at tertiary level. It seeks to explore some of the difficulties associated with the teaching and learning of the disadvantaged through open and distance learning as a result of the Zimbabwean educational language policy. The paper is a qualitative analysis of data gathered on teaching and learning of some of the disadvantaged students through open and distance learning in the Zimbabwe Open University. Observation and unstructured interviews were used to establish the conditions experienced by these students in their endeavor to comprehend their modules as well as express themselves in tutorials, assignments and examinations. The paper expresses the situation and moves on to demonstrate the unavailability of anything sacred in the use of English as the sole medium of instruction in open and distance learning. It is suggesting the implementation of a more favourable language policy in open and distance learning since the mission of the Zimbabwe Open University as an open and distance learning institution is to ensure education for all. The paper is suggesting the need to use local languages as the languages of instruction, for instance, the two national languages (Shona and Ndebele)

Teacher Perceptions of Factors that Cause High Levels of Stress: The Case of the Zimbabwean Rural Primary School Teachers

The main thrust of this investigation was to use a descriptive survey research design to study teacher perceptions of factors that cause high levels of stress. Data were collected through a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The research instruments and data analyses procedures were pilot tested and subsequently refined. Teacher perceptions were analyzed within the framework of selected demographic factors. It is on the basis of these factors that hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study unveiled the following findings: The majority of teachers perceived most job factors to be highly stressful, and to contribute significantly towards an unfavourable work environment. Factored dimensions perceived to be stressful encompassed; low levels of remuneration, poor incentives package, high teacher-pupil ratio, high amount of clerical work, unfavorable supervisory climate and unprogressive leadership styles. As a result of these findings some conclusions were drawn. School based factors tended to shape perceptions more than any other factors. The study also observed that teacher perceptions did not vary significantly with selected demographic characteristics. Recommendations on reducing stress among Zimbabwean rural primary school teachers were structured around the key focus issues that underpinned the study

Assessment of Risks Associated with the Usage of Quantity Surveying Softwares in Nigeria: The Case Lagos State

Several researchers have acknowledged the impact of software in Quantity Surveying Practice. However, it is suspected that not all the consulting firms in Lagos State are making use of all the Quantity Surveying Softwares. Hence, this study identified a set of risk factors associated with the usage of these softwares. The research adopted convenient method of sampling. Twenty nine (29) consulting firms were selected out of which twenty six (26) responded appropriately. Data collection was through a structured questionnaire that was administered by the researchers using set predetermined questions. The result of the study reveals that all the quantity surveying firms in Lagos State work with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft word packages. Thirty percent (30%) of the consulting firms work with Master bill, Qs Cad, Qs Elite, Ripac, Computer Aided taking off (CATO) and Building information model software etc. It also reveals that changing trends in technology is the major factor that necessitates the usage of softwares in quantity surveying firms in Lagos State. Furthermore, Incompatibility in software packages is the major risk associated with the usage of quantity surveying softwares. This study recommends that Quantity surveying firms must ensure that the choice of software packages should be compatible with the existing model in Nigeria in terms of interoperability, portability and flexibility. Also, most estimators should be trained and given technical support so that they can become first-hand software expert

Occupational Health of the Garment Workers in Bangladesh

Background: In Bangladesh, garment workers comprise of both men and women of young age of which women are the majority. Occupational exposure to cotton dust, fibers, metal fumes and different chemicals used in the apparel manufacturing industries cause a wide range of physical and psychological health problems in the garment workers that have not been investigated.Objective: Considering the working environment as the source of individual exposure, we sought direct evidence for physical and psychological health problems of the men and women garment workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Methods: A total of 60 workers of two garment factories, and 50 control subjects, not exposed to the garment working environment, were enrolled in this study. Their self- reported occupational health problem(s) was recorded on preformed questionnaires that were analyzed to investigate occupation-related health problems.Results: About 73% of the garment workers suffered from skin rash and contact dermatitis, 52% had breathing complications and coughing while 33% had recurrent fever, all of which were significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control subjects who were in other occupations. Body pain, fatigue, headache, jaundice, anorexia and weakness were more prevalent in the garment workers than in the control subjects.Conclusion: This study, conducted on a small sample size, provides the first evidence of the occupational health problems in the garment workers in Bangladesh

An Evaluation of Physical Planning Inputs in the Process of Resettling the Inhabitants of Flood Plain Areas of River Niger, Niger State

This study evaluates the physical planning input in the process of resettling the victims of the flood plain of River Niger and Kaduna, by the Niger state Government. Evaluation studies of resettlement programmes in African countries have tended to focus on socio-economic considerations and less on physical planning, knowledge of which is useful for promoting programme success. A number of criteria were adopted in the method of evaluation. These were the regional context of the resettlement site; conveniences and adequacy of the site for resettlement; nature of housing delivery for the resettles; and the production base of the new villages. The outcome of the evaluation of the inputs showed that some aspects have shown the potential to influence the success of the programme, such as the location and layout design and the inadequacy of land for residential and farm activities. The study made an attempt to suggest some physical planning corrective measures that will assist the success of the programme, which are captured in the concluding part of the report