Comparative Analysis of Direct Labour and Contracting System of Project Procurement

This study examines the performance of two project procurement methods commonly used in project construction, the direct labour and contracting system. Using cost, time and quality as assessment criteria, the work seek to determine possible advantage of one method over the other. Quasi-experimental design and questionnaire were combined to carry this study. Respondents was mainly officers and building contractors, key players in project procurement. Results obtained in this work showed that there was no significant difference between the two methods in terms of cost overrun, though overall cost was higher for the direct labour method. It also revealed a significant difference between time overrun for the two methods as direct method took longer time. The study concluded by emphasising the need for training, openness and empowerment. It also recommended the need for all establishments to adopt participatory project management through direct labour. Key Words: Direct Labour, Contract, Procurement, Time, Cost, Cost overrun, Time overrun DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-8-07 Publication date:September 30th 201

Preparation of High Grade Silica from Rice Husk for Zeolite Synthesis

Silica powder with approximately 96% purity was extracted from rice husk (RH) and used as a silica source for the synthesis of zeolite Y by hydrothermal process. The effect of synthesis parameters such as pH, temperature of burning the rice husk, acid leaching prior to formation of rice husk ash (RHA) on the properties of final product were studied. The acid-leached rice husk calcined at 650 °C for 6 h produced rough powder of rice husk silica, light brown in colour. The silica purity of the rice husk ash (RHA) calcined at 400, 450 and 5000C were 95.6wt%, 96.1wt% and 95.89 wt% respectively. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of the silica obtained show that the silica was amorphous with traces of crystalline phase. The amorphous nature of the RHA and the relatively high purity of silica content in it make it a suitable source of silica for zeolite synthesis.Keywords: Silica; RHA; Zeolite; Synthesis; Hydrothermal; Temperatur

Local Rice Production Trend Analyses and Consumption in Benue State, Nigeria: 1980 – 2016

The research examined local rice production trends and factors inhibiting the consumption of local rice from 1980 to 2016 in Benue State. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire in Benue State, while secondary data were obtained from Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA) in 2017. Multistage random sampling method was employed in selecting respondents. Primary data were collected from one hundred and fifty six (156) respondents. Descriptive statistics, Z – test, Growth model and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance were used for the analysis. The results revealed that from 1980 to 2016, a total of 9.5mt of local rice was produced in Benue State. The result also shows that the respondents were all married (99%), with household size of 1 - 10 persons (95%) and mean household size of about 8 persons. The result further indicated that majority of respondents’ attained tertiary school level. The result also shows that the respondents had low income (40.3%).  The mean quantity of local rice production was 257,333.06mt per year. The instantaneous growth trends of local rice production and price were 0.00122 and 0.01103, and compound growth rate as 3.72 and 3.76 respectively. The result also indicated that many of the respondents were above the age of 41 years (49%) with the mean age of 47 and all respondents male. The presence of stones, poor aroma, impure rice and broken grain were some of the factors inhibiting consumption of local rice in Benue State. The study recommended that the policies that focus on increasing growth rate of local rice in Benue State should be intensified. Breeders and Scientists should make effort in breeding rice with aroma. The processors of local rice should use modern processing mills like rice polisher and des-stoners to mill quality local rice that will be acceptable to consumers