Economic development as a function of construction project performance

Abstract: Poor performance of construction projects is one of the major cause for concern in the construction industry. Many of the construction projects executed in Nigeria experienced several challenges ranging from simple to complex issues. This paper therefore, examines factors affecting the performance of construction projects, their effects on the economic development and the impact of the factors on the economic development of the nation. The study identified a set of factors believed to affect project performance through extensive review of literature which form the basis for questionnaire survey. A total of 200 questionnaires were self-administered to professionals in the Nigerian construction industry, out of which 148 were retrieved and considered fit for analysis. The survey findings indicate that the most important factors affecting project performance are: project design cost, project complexity, unavailability of resources, quality of equipment and raw materials, while ontime completion, client satisfaction and productivity were considered to be the main measures of construction project performances. Improvement in technology and extension of infrastructures, were the most important indices of economic development. It is recommended that project owners must work collaboratively with all the professionals involved in carrying out construction project in order to facilitate good performance. More so, stakeholders in the construction industry including professionals and regulatory bodies should be proactive in discharging their responsibilities bearing in mind the effect of construction project performance on economic development of the country

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS A FUNCTION OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PERFORMANCE

Poor performance of construction projects is one of the major cause for concern in the construction industry. Many of the construction projects executed in Nigeria experienced several challenges ranging from simple to complex issues. This paper therefore, examines factors affecting the performance of construction projects, their effects on the economic development and the impact of the factors on the economic development of the nation. The study identified a set of factors believed to affect project performance through extensive review of literature which form the basis for questionnaire survey. A total of 200 questionnaires were self-administered to professionals in the Nigerian construction industry, out of which 148 were retrieved and considered fit for analysis. The survey findings indicate that the most important factors affecting project performance are: project design cost, project complexity, unavailability of resources, quality of equipment and raw materials, while ontime completion, client satisfaction and productivity were considered to be the main measures of construction project performances. Improvement in technology and extension of infrastructures, were the most important indices of economic development. It is recommended that project owners must work collaboratively with all the professionals involved in carrying out construction project in order to facilitate good performance. More so, stakeholders in the construction industry including professionals and regulatory bodies should be proactive in discharging their responsibilities bearing in mind the effect of construction project performance on economic development of the country

Design and Construction of a Stabilize Variable Power Supply Unit

The main objective of this work is to design and construct a stabilize variable power supply unit with a voltage range of 0.20v – 15.85v and current range of 0 – 3Amps (45W) with a very low output impedance of 0.008 ohms. We also study the regulation characteristics of a constructed power supply units to a certain load and line regulation so as to determine its stability by comparing it to a standard power supply unit. Test and analysis were carried out using the constructed power supply unit to power loads (Rheostat) of 126ohms 1A and 11ohms 4A. The major components used include transistors, regulator LM317.The output measurements showed that the power supply was functional and the measured values gave minima variation from the nominal designed values. The developed output power supply is much useful in measurements, laboratory works and general applications requiring power supply. Keywords: variable power supply unit, impedance, line regulatio

Gaseous Emission from the Combustion of AGO from the KRPC in Nigeria

Refined petroleum products from Kaduna refinery and petroleum company serves as a source of energy to the nation but gaseous emission from the combustion of these refined products can be harmful to the ecosystem. Gaseous emission from the combustion of AGO of different volumes from Kaduna Refinery was characterized for gaseous air pollutants using the E8500 combustion analyzer. The concentrations for the gaseous emission from the combustion of AGO were 45.84 mg/m3 HC, 16.33 mg/m3 CO, 206.33 mg/m3 NOx for 10 mL. 76.39 mg/m3 HC, 44.33 mg/m3 CO, 689.33 mg/m3 NOx for 20 mL 102.59 mg/m3 HC, 0 mg/m3 CO, 692.67 mg/m3 NOx for 30 ml. 154.97 mg/m3 HC, 0 mg/m3 CO, 1459 mg/m3 NOx for 40 ml. 141.88 mg/m3 HC, 0 mg/m3 CO, 1516.33 mg/m3 NOx, for 50 ml. This study shows that CO and HC exceeded the acceptable limit for stationary sources while NOx and SO2 were below the acceptable limit. Hence, there is a need for rapid response and urgent attention from government and regulatory bodies to put in place policies that will help minimize the effect of these emissions

ESTIMATION OF EMISSION FACTOR FROM THE COMBUSTION OF AGO, PMS AND DPK FROM THE KADUNA REFINERY AND PETROLEUM COMPANY IN NIGERIA

Air emissions from the combustion of AGO, PMS and DPK were characterized for gaseous air pollutants using an E8500 combustion gas analyzer. The measured concentrations were used to calculate the emission factors of the pollutants. The emission factors for the gaseous emission from AGO were for 10 ml of AGO, HC was 4.584E-05 g/l, CO was 1.633E-05 g/l, NOx was 0.00021 g/l, and zero values were recorded for both CO2 and SO2; for 50 ml of AGO, HC was 0.000142 g/l, NOx was 0.001516 g/l and zero values were recorded for both CO, CO2 and SO2. From PMS were for 10 ml of PMS, HC was 6.9846E-05 g/l, CO was 0.00017 g/l, NOx was 0.00034 g/l, and zero values were recorded for both CO2 and SO2; for 50 ml of PMS, HC was 8.731E-05 g/l, CO was 0.000213 g/l, NOx was 0.0008 g/l, SO2 was 3.76E-06 g/l and CO2 was 0.0066 g/l. From DPK were for 10 ml of DPK, HC was 3.4923E-05 g/l, CO was 2.1667E-05 g/l, NOx was 0.000089 g/l, and zero values were recorded for both CO2 and SO2; for 50 ml of DPK, HC was 6.1115E-05 g/l, CO was 4.0667E-05 g/l, NOx was 0.000191 g/l and SO2 was 2.667E-06 g/l. This study shows that For 10 ml, DPK had the minimum emission factor for HC, AGO had the minimum emission factor for CO, DPK had the minimum emission factor for NOx. For 50 ml, AGO had the minimum emission factor for CO, SO2, DPK had the minimum emission factor for HC, NOx. Therefore, AGO and DPK can act as a source of fuel with the best sustainable environmental effects

Factor analysis method for delay dynamics in Nigerian Tin Can Island Port for sustainable development

The effect of efficient and effective port system on the economy viability of any nation cannot be over emphasis. This study investigated factors that could be termed as delay causative factors in Nigerian ports industry using TIN CAN Island port complex as a case study. A well-structured questionnaire was developed for this research and 72 respondents, who are port users (custom officers, employees, and customers), were asked to rank the variables perceived to be causing delay at the port according to their respective perception of the effect of each factor on delay factors at the port. The validity of the research instrument was done using Cronbach Alpha. There are several factors that were thought to be working together in reducing efficiency in Nigerian ports and these factors were analyzed using factor analysis method. It was discovered from the analysis that Lack of Government Authority, Ullage Constraint, Inadequate Berthing, Logistics Delay, Financial Constraint and Equipment Breakdown are major factors that cause delay at Tin Can Island Port Lagos. These highlighted factors should be paid special attention in order to reduce delay in Tin Can Island port which will in turns lead to more revenue for the country

Gaseous Emission from the Combustion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) in Nigeria

Objectives : This study characterizes the gaseous emission from the combustion of PMS of different volumes from Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company. Methods : The E8500 plus combustion analyzer was used for gaseous emission characterization of different volumes. Oxygen (O2), Hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), Oxides of Nitrogen NOx (NO, NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) were measured using the analyzer. The values were recorded and the descriptive statistics graph was plotted. Results and Discussion : The concentrations for the gaseous emission from the combustion of PMS were 69.85 mg/m3 HC, 117.33 mg/m3 CO, 334 mg/m3 NOx for 10 ml, 58.93 mg/m3 HC, 130.33 mg/m3 CO, 784.33 mg/m3 NOx for 20 ml, 50.20 mg/m3 HC, 84.00 mg/m3 CO, 798.67 mg/m3 NOx for 30 ml, 65.48 mg/m3 HC, 160.33 mg/m3 CO, 850.33 mg/m3 NOx for 40 ml, 87.31 mg/m3 HC, 212.67 mg/m3 CO, 801.33 mg/m3 NOx, 3.67 mg/m3 SO2 for 50 ml. This study shows that CO and HC exceeded the permissible limit for stationary sources while NOx and SO2 were below the permissible limit. Conclusions : Hence, there is a need for rapid response and urgent attention from government and regulatory bodies to develop and implement appropriate policies that will help in reducing the effect. Appropriate measures to control air emissions that may be embarked upon by regulatory bodies include increase in the use of low-emission fuels and renewable fuels such as bio-fuels and introduction of the use of devices with low CO emissions

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

The effects of antioxidants on the expression of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor genes : lessons from three EU countries

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