A systems thinking approach to validate the dynamics of environmental degradation issues: evidence from the Nigerian oil and gas industry

The paper focuses on all aspects of the numerous activities causing environmental degradation in the Nigerian Niger-Delta region, focusing particularly to the activities of the host communities and oil and gas companies using the systems thinking approach. The vast majority of the revenue that Nigeria's federal government receives from its oil resources is held by the Niger-Delta region. Numerous issues that affect the region, including as poverty, environmental damage, unemployment, and oil pipeline vandalism involving host communities and oil and gas companies. This paper aims to validate, in light of the current situation, the dynamics of environmental degradation issues involving host communities and oil and gas companies in the Nigerian Niger Delta. Consider the various ways that host communities' activities and oil and gas activity contribute to environmental degradation in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The paper used a systems thinking approach, which is necessary for capturing the involvement of host communities and oil and gas companies to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta's environmental degradation is the consequence of a complex relationship between oil and gas operations, host communities, and surrounding environments. ST is a qualitative technique that seeks to understand this relationship holistically. In order to convey unbiased insights and understanding of the environmental degradation as experienced in the Niger Delta, ST enables the application of Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) usage to capture the problem as a whole. The data collected from the literature review were analysed using computerised simulation software as Stella Architect®. It is also highly advised that an integrated and multidisciplinary research be carried out to examine this enduring issue in order to build a comprehensive plan and solution to deal with concerns related to environmental degradation and oil pipeline vandalism. Oil and gas companies have created a strategy to prevent environment pollution and treat waste before discharging it to minimize its effects in several locations around the world. However, similar methods are not widespread in Nigeria. In Nigeria, these methods must be adapted in order to preserve the already-degrading environment

Optimising safe systems of work using virtual reality (VR) to enhance rescue and evacuation skills

The ability to implement a safe system of work is an important skillset for everyday tasks, most especially for wind technicians working at height in the renewables sector of the construction industry. An effective and safe control measure is critical to the success of every work at height activity. For wind technicians, the use of VR can potentially be deployed as a stop-gap tool useful for optimizing the retention of core rescue and evacuation skills. VR can serve as a useful tool for intermediate practice drills between formal two-year training as most technicians are unlikely to perform any emergency rescue within the timeframe. The significance of deploying VR tool for promoting rescue and evacuation skill retention is based on the premise that the ability of humans to recall specific rescue steps may not be as strong as it is generally assumed. Therefore, this preliminary study aims to design a prototype VR rescue game using realistic graphics to add depth and realism to the game. The number of players will be one at a time and the game play is averagely 5 - 10 minutes per session with purposive target audience (wind technicians, construction professionals, and students) required for user experience and usability testing. The VR simulation serves as a useful source for reinforcing wind technician’s hands-on rescue and evacuation skills, thus improving safe work practices.<br/

Exploring the interactions between workforce engagement and safety in Nigerian construction industry

The concept of worker engagement is about construction workers on a construction site actively participating in improving health and safety by influencing others. It includes workers proactively involved and collaborating in matters related to their health, safety and wellbeing at work. This paper reflects on the complex interactions between workforce engagement and health and safety procedures in the Nigerian construction sector. This study adopted a descriptive research design using 60 survey questionnaires to explore worker participation, including their level of training, leadership support, and incentive schemes. The findings suggest that the level of training given to workers and their level of participation in health and safety related practices were positively correlated indicating that workers' commitment to upholding a safe workplace is favourably impacted by the investment in systematic training programs. Leadership support encourages increased worker involvement in promoting health and safety and that engagement from senior leadership influences and promotes safety culture within the workplace

Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in northwest Benin

Background: Artemether/lumefantrine (Coartem (R)) has been used as a treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection since 2004 in Benin. This open-label, non-randomized study evaluated efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) in treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children aged 6-59 months in two malaria transmission sites in northwest Benin. Methods: A 42-day therapeutic efficacy study was conducted between August and November 2014, in accordance with 2009 WHO guidelines. One-hundred and twenty-three children, aged 6 months to 5 years, with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were recruited into the study. The primary endpoint was parasitological cure on day 28 and day 42 while the secondary endpoints included: parasite and fever clearance, improvement in haemoglobin levels. Outcomes were classified as early treatment failure (ETF), late clinical failure, late parasitological failure, and adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR). Results: Before PCR correction, ACPR rates were 87 % (95 % CI 76.0-94.7) and 75.6 %, respectively (95 % CI 67.0-82.9) on day 28 and day 42. In each study site, ACPR rates were 78.3 % in Djougou and 73 % in Cobly on day 42. There was no ETF and after PCR correction ACPR was 100 % in study population. All treatment failures were shown to be due to new infections. Fever was significantly cleared in 24 h and approximately 90 % of parasites where cleared on day 1 and almost all parasites were cleared on day 2. Haemoglobin concentration showed a slight increase with parasitic clearance. Conclusion: AL remains an efficacious drug for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Benin, although higher rates of re-infection remain a concern. Surveillance needs to be continued to detect future changes in parasite sensitivity to artemisinin-based combination therapy