Exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices in Nigeria: An asymmetric approach

The present study investigated the existence of asymmetry in exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices in Nigeria by collecting monthly data over the period of 2001 to 2015 from various sources. Owing to the absence of a long-run relationship, results showed that, over the short term, consumer prices in Nigeria have adaptive expectations; the case of imported inflation was also found; partial/incomplete exchange rate pass-through was found over the short term and the pass-through estimates became larger when the asymmetric effect of exchange rate changes was considered; differences in the responsiveness of consumer prices to exchange rate appreciation and depreciation were also registered. However, industrial production index had no significant role in the determination of consumer prices in Nigeria. The prevalence of imported inflation in the Nigerian economy reflects the larger proportion of imported goods in the consumption baskets of Nigerians. To this end, it is suggested that governments at all levels should give adequate and timely incentives to local producers so that their products could become affordable. Nigerians are also encouraged to patronize “Made-in-Nigeria” products so as to make government policy initiatives effective

The use of rice husk ash as admixture in producing selfcompacting concrete

Admixtures are incorporated into concrete in today’s world in order to achieve variety of goals. This research study the use of rice husk ash as an admixture in producing selfcompacting concrete. The rice husk ash is varied in different percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) as partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to know if it improves the properties of fresh and hardened properties of the self-compacting concrete. The superplasticizer used was conplast SP 430 and the water cement ratio 0.35 was kept constant throughout all mix. Rice husk ash is a good super-pozzolan which is used to make special concrete mixes, in which the slump Flow, T50cm slump, V-funnel and the L-box test was used to test for the workability of the fresh concrete mix and the compressive strength of each mix was tested to know the specific strength of each self-compacting mix with varying percentage of rice husk ash at 7, 14 and 28 days of curing

Post Consolidation Effects of Banking Sector Recapitalization on Nigeria Construction Industry (Lagos and Ogun State Case Study)

Abstract: Construction project involves huge capital flow (materials, machines, manpower, management, finance) from inception to completion and handover. Bank consolidation will enhance synergy; improve efficiency through cost reduction revenue in the long- run, reduction in the industry‟s risk by eliminating weak bank and acquiring of smaller ones by the bigger and stronger bankers as well as creating opportunities for greater diversification and financial intermediation. This paper aimed at assessing post consolidation effect of the banking sector recapitalization on construction industry and the major objectives of the study are: assessing the volume of credit facilities given to building contractors by commercial banks the trend in the interest rates charged by commercial banks on credit facilities allocated to building and civil engineering contractors and to evaluate whether building and civil engineering contractors now have better access to credit facilities. This research is purposive and 120 structured questionnaire were distributed to the construction professionals, developer, financial institution houses, and registered building and civil engineering contractors in some selected firm in Lagos State and Ogun state out of which 92 questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed. The result of the hypothesis showed that the level of construction activities financed by banks has not increased during post-consolidation. The paper found out the following as effects of banking sector recapitalization on construction industry which resulted into the inability of the contractors to meet up the outrageous demands for high value collateral to commemorate loan applied for, limited payback period on the loan applied for, because the longer the payback period; the higher the interest rate and finally high interest rate charged on the loan obtained by the contractors which are geometrically increased from 3-30 percentage. The research work thereby recommend Commercial banks need to pay more attention in financing medium and small size firm and their projects as they constitute larger percentage of the Nigeria construction industry, so as to increase their financial activities and expand their assets and recoupin

DETERMINING THE INDIVIDUAL SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR IN HOUSING DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

One of the greatest challenge confronting both rural and urban residents in Nigeria is the need to provide adequate shelter. This study examined the individual significant contribution of the public and private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) in housing contracts in Ogun State, Nigeria. A field survey was conducted in government ministries (public sector) and some selected professionals (private sector) within the study area. Information gathered from both primary and secondary data was used to determine the significant contribution of the public and private sector in housing delivery. Questionnaires were distributed through systematic sampling method to 58 respondents in both private and public sector participating in PPP housing production in the study area. Result showed that the significant contribution of the public sector in PPP housing provision in Nigeria is the provision of land while the private sector contributes significantly high percentage of finance, manpower and technical support. The study recommended that for successful implementation of PPP housing projects, all tiers of government must strive to complement the weaknesses of the public sector with the strengths of the private sector. Furthermore, since the private sector provides bulk of the finance for PPP housing projects, government should provide a more conducive economic environment to attract more private sector investors

Effect of Superplasticizer on Workability and Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

From recent issues of stability, particle suspension, particle segregation, flow characteristics and cohesiveness in concrete, Superplasticizer has played an important role in this part. This research examined the effect of superplasticizer on workability and properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Three types of superplasticizers Conplast SP 561, Conplast SP 430 and Conplast SP 264 at different percentages (0, 10, 20 and 30%) with the same water cement ratio of 0.3, with M30 grade of concrete. The workability slump, v-funnel and l-box the test carried out on fresh concrete. Compressive strength test was carried out on the hardened concrete. All mix were satisfactory but the mix with conplast SP 430 had better workability and strengt

Influence of secondary aluminum dross (SAD) on compressive strength and water absorption capacity properties of sandcrete block

Secondary aluminum dross (SAD) is a hazardous by-product of the aluminum smelting industry. Among various recycling options of this waste, construction and building materials applications is one of the value-added options to end dumping. The present study, thereby, investigates the influence of SAD on the mechanical and durability properties of sandcrete blocks (SBs). Five partial replacements 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of river sand with SAD were experimented at constant water–cement ratio of 0.45. Sixty-three SB samples of size 150 mm × 225 mm × 450 mm were molded and cured at different ages of 7, 14 and 28 days before the hardened blocks were subjected to water absorption and compressive crushing tests. The study results revealed that the water absorption of SAD-blended samples was found to rise with increasing percentage replacement with SAD. Also, the study revealed that beyond 10% replacement with SAD, the investigated properties fall below the required limits as stated in relevant standards. SBs blende

Sustainable locally sourced materials for small-scale paint production

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other unsafe chemicals are used in producing chemical paints which releaseharmful gases within the interior spaces where they have been used, whereas, these hazardous elements or components can be removed and replaced with safer and local materials. The aim of this study is to produce a paint product using sustainable locally sourced materials in a small-scale production. Using an experimental approach, a milk-based and clay-based paint were prepared in the laboratory, while physical and chemical tests were carried out such as adhesion test, application test, opacity, drying test, viscosity test and pH test. Clay, Edible starch, Local pigment (Lamp black and local talc), Dry milk and Lime were used as constituent materials in the preparation of the paint products with water as the solvent. Some of the physical and chemical tests carried fell within reasonable PMAN standards for chemical paints. The study recommendsthat more environmental friendly and sustainable materials should be used to replace hazardous materials used in chemical paints for safe environmen

Willingness of in‑patients to Uptake the Vital Contributor Social Health Insurance Program in a Teaching Hospital, Southwest Nigeria

Background: The introduction of the Vital Contributor Social Health Insurance (SHI) Program in Nigeria was to scale up access to healthinsurance and achieve universal health coverage. However, many Nigerian in‑patients still pay out‑of‑pocket for health services. This study aimedto determine Nigerian in‑patients’ willingness to pay for the Vital Contributor SHI Program. Methodology: Across‑sectional analytical study conducted among 133 adult in‑patients and care‑givers of pediatric in‑patients of a tertiary health facility in southwestern Nigeria, not under a health insurance cover, and recruited through a simple random sampling technique. Data were  collected using an interviewer‑administered questionnaire. Willingness to Pay was assessed using the double contingent valuation by the Bidding method. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS version 20 with inference made at P > 0.05. Results: Findings showed a low awareness (42.1%) of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and much lower awareness of the Vital Contributor Insurance Scheme, (27.1%). A high proportion of the respondents (67.7%) were willing to participate in the scheme, whereas 67.3% of those not willing to participate gave insufficient funds as the reason. The median maximum amount of premium respondents were willing to pay annually was ₦15,000 ($38) and ₦5000 ($12.8) interquartile range. Respondents in the working population (P = 0.032), with some form of education (P = 0.002), having difficulty with paying their medical bills (P = 0.044), who were aware of the Vital Contributor Scheme (P = 0.001) and were  knowledgeable about the NHIS benefits (P = 0.026) were significantly more willing to uptake the Vital Contributor SHI Scheme. Conclusion: Although awareness of the Vital Contributor SHI Scheme is low, the proportion of respondents willing to partake in it is satisfying.  Increased targeted awareness campaigns should improve uptake. Health management organizations should take the lead in the awareness creation process. Keywords: Health insurance, vital contributor social health insurance scheme, voluntary contribution, willingness to pay     &nbsp

Assessment of Sandcrete Blocks Manufacturers ‘Compliance to Minimum Standard Requirements by Standard Organisation of Nigeria in Southwest, Nigeria

Intensive use of sandcrete hollow blocks in building production has made it essential building materials in Construction Industries. This necessary need has made Sandcrete hollow blocks ‘Manufacturers to play pranks in the Minimum Standard Requirement. This paper assesses the compliance level of Sandcrete Block Manufacturers to Minimum Standard Requirement in Southwest, Nigeria. 54 sandcrete blocks comprising 225 mm and 150 mm were gotten from blocks production sites within three states; Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos State. Samples of their fine aggregates were gotten for proper examination. In order to compare the outcome of the test results with standards, 18 numbers of controlled experimental units which comprised 225 mm and 150 mm were also produced. The results for sieve analysis of the three Samples gotten from South West along with Laboratory sample satisfied the requirement for BS 882:1992[1]. The results of compressive strength values gotten from blocks suppliers within South West failed to meet up the requirements stipulated for load bearing sandcrete blocks by Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS 87: 2000)[2]. And also indicated shoddy control practice because strength results justified low standards and due to non-adherence to stipulated mix-design (1;8) of (cement and sand)

MISSING GAPS IN SAFETY EDUCATION AND PRACTICES: ACADEMIA PERSPECTIVES

In the developing countries, the syndrome of low level of safety practices are common phenomenon among construction firms when trying to achieve speedy delivery of construction projects. Various researchers have established factors causing accidents on project sites under unsafe conditions and behaviour of construction workers. This study examined construction safety education embedded in Architecture, Building Technology and Quantity Surveying curricula in some selected tertiary institutions in South-Western Nigeria. Secondary data were sourced from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) curricula through desk review. The descriptive assessment underscored insufficient knowledge coverage because there is no particular course titled construction health and safety in the construction programs curricula. Also, the three top knowledge areas of the respondents on safety practice were: use of personal protective wears, injury and illness prevention and construction all risk and contractors all risk insurance. This study concluded that lack of depth knowledge on safety education is capable of limiting students’ ability to coordinate safety practices, develop Safety Policy when employed in construction industry and as well reduce their employability as Safety Manager. The study therefore recommends that both NUC and NBTE should engage Academic and Industry Partnerships (AIPS), Collaborative Curriculum Designing (CCD) in modifying existing curricula for Architecture, Building Technology and Quantity Surveying programs in Nigerian tertiary institutions that will facilitate better understanding both to planning and managing construction safety rather than applying corrective measures after the havoc has been fully perpetrated