WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE OF FOREST TREES BY COOPERATE ORGANISATIONS

Payments for environmental services (PES) especially of the forests are considered a potential instrument to mitigate environment and development challenges faced in many tropical countries. The success of any PES scheme is highly dependent on reliable economic data and monetary values of the services provided by the forest trees and vegetation. Hence the relevance of this study which adopted the contingent valuation method (CVM) to derive a monetary valuation for the environmental service functions of forest trees in University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) urban environment. Data were obtained from a multistage random sampling of 48 out of the 75 registered students’ Corporate Organisation made of Academic, Religion and Socio-cultural organisations and clubs. The results show that 77% of the respondents were willing to pay (WTP) various amounts ranging from N5 – N1000 monthly. One hundred naira (N100.00) was the modal value having recorded 38% response and closely followed by N200.00 with 30% response. The overall mean WTP value resulted into an aggregate estimate value of UNAAB urban forest trees environmental value of UNAAB urban forest trees environmental services which is N7,800 (US$1 = N140). The semi-log model of regression equation revealed respondents’ income, sources of income and years of existence as the socio-economic variables that significantly influenced WTP. It can be concluded from this study that the sampled respondent valued the environmental services of the forest especially the shade provided for them during their meetings to the extent that they are willing to contribute towards the continue existence of trees and by implication the forests in the University environment. Payment for environmental services either in form of voluntary donations or direct contribution towards forest tree plantings can be an incentive to the providers of the services be it private or government.Contingent valuation, Environmental services, Willingness to pay (WTP), Environmental Economics and Policy,

SMALL-SCALE, WOOD BASED PROCESSING ENTERPRISES; THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF AKURE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

A survey was conducted in Akure Local Government Area of Ondo State to give preliminary information on the magnitude, characteristics and contribution to rural employment of small-scale, wood-based processing enterprises through structured questionnaire. Small scale, wood based enterprise accounts for about 44% of the total rural labour force. The enterprises are characterized by very small size, heavy reliance on entrepreneur and family labour, technological simplicity of operations and rural location bias. Furniture, logging and carpentry were found to be the commonest among the small scale, wood-based enterprises. A range of problems facing small scale, wood-based enterprises was identified and a number of solutions were suggested. It was recommended that there should be removal of various discrimination through policies which might go a long way to ensuring a healthier small-scale, enterprise growth, reduction or removal of subsidies and other privileges currently offered the large enterprises rather than extending these support and incentives to small ones, a number of specific policy changes to increase access to market, reduce raw material and financial problems should be effected, and small-scale enterprise should be organized into groupings so as to benefit from policy changes.small-scale, wood-based, enterprises, impact, Agribusiness,

Economic analysis of major wood species sold in plank markets in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

This study examined the economics analysis of the major wood species sold in plank markets in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents and it involves the selection of Alimosho Local Government Area, Random selection of twelve (12) plank markets and simple random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents in the plank markets. Data were analyzed using descriptive and budgetary analytical tools. The results showed that majority of the respondents were males (90%) and between the age of 35 to 44 (39.2%). Majority were married (90%) and mostly Yoruba (95%). Large percentage (71.7%) had secondary education and were Muslims (60.8%). Majority (98.3%) were fulltime plank marketers and 98.3% secured their business through apprenticeship while capital was mostly by means of personal savings. Most of the plank markets were over 30 years and they were all privately owned. Wood species in the study area includes mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), iroko (Milicia excelsa) Gmelina (Gmelina aborea), Teak (Tectona grandis), Araba (Ceiba pentandra), Ayunre (Albizia zygia), Obi (Cola spp) among other Rate of Return on Investment (RORI) recorded for plank size 2x6 inches for all wood species was more than other plank sizes. TheBenefit Cost Ratio (BCR) greater than 1 (BCR>1), indicating that the enterprisewas profitable. It is recommended that only trees that have attained merchantable height and girth should be felled for conversion

Evaluation of the Cytogenotoxic Effects of Emulsifiable Concentrate form of Amitraz Pesticide on Allium cepa L

The cytogenotoxic effects of emulsifiable concentrate of amitraz pesticides was evaluated using Allium cepa L. test. The root meristems of A. cepa L. were treated with five concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 40%) of the chemical pesticide at 48 h for cytogenetic analyses and 96 h for root length inhibition. Pesticide doses affected root length significantly (P<0.05) at 5% to 40%; with 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of 18% while there was no significant difference between control and 1% (p>0.05). The mean root length of the treated A. cepa for Amitraz pesticides in all concentrations was lower compared to the control showing the obvious mitodepressive effects of amitraz pesticides. A dose dependent reduction in the total mitotic dividing cells and mitotic index was observed in A. cepa treated with the pesticides. The values of mitotic index obtained for amitraz pesticides at 5% (5.20), 10% (4.0), 20% (2.30) and 40% (0.80) were lower than half of the negative control (7.25), which reflect its cytotoxicity. All the concentrations of the pesticides used in the present study induced important abnormalities during mitotic division. These aberrations were: chromosome stickiness, disturbed spindle, anaphase and telophase bridges, chromosome fragments, laggard chromosomes, and c- Mitosis. The highest abnormality number was observed in the root tips of Allium cepa (5%) while the least was at 40%. Frequencies of chromosome abnormalities were low at 20% and 40% concentration because of damaged cell and lower cell divisions. The present study, showed the inhibition of growth and induction of chromosomal aberrations by amitraz, this suggest their capability in inducing cytotoxicity and genome instabilityKeywords: Allium cepa, chromosomes, amitraz pesticides, aberrations, mitotic inde

Psychosocial Strategies, Debasing Gender- Based Violence in Nigeria

This paper examines Gender -based violence, a violence directed against humans based on their gender which occurs as a result of the normative role expectations associated with each gender and there seems to be unequal relationship between the two genders within the context of each society (Hynes Cardozo,2000). It encompass a large variety of crimes like harassment, threat of rape, rape, forced marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, child abuse Different forms of violence were perpetrated against females in both public and private spheres of life, at any time of their life span cursing harmful and damaging consequences in their lives. The terrifying acts inflicted on females caused by traditional held believes and socially constructed behaviours attributed to gender thus affects women in disproportionate manner. The study investigated gender- based violence Nigerian society and  the strategy to debase the unfair act. Keywords: Gender,violence,forms,effects,strategy,society. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-22-04 Publication date: November 30th 201

WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE OF FOREST TREES BY COOPERATE ORGANISATIONS

Payments for environmental services (PES) especially of the forests are considered a potential instrument to mitigate environment and development challenges faced in many tropical countries. The success of any PES scheme is highly dependent on reliable economic data and monetary values of the services provided by the forest trees and vegetation. Hence the relevance of this study which adopted the contingent valuation method (CVM) to derive a monetary valuation for the environmental service functions of forest trees in University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) urban environment. Data were obtained from a multistage random sampling of 48 out of the 75 registered students’ Corporate Organisation made of Academic, Religion and Socio-cultural organisations and clubs. The results show that 77% of the respondents were willing to pay (WTP) various amounts ranging from N5 – N1000 monthly. One hundred naira (N100.00) was the modal value having recorded 38% response and closely followed by N200.00 with 30% response. The overall mean WTP value resulted into an aggregate estimate value of UNAAB urban forest trees environmental value of UNAAB urban forest trees environmental services which is N7,800 (US$1 = N140). The semi-log model of regression equation revealed respondents’ income, sources of income and years of existence as the socio-economic variables that significantly influenced WTP. It can be concluded from this study that the sampled respondent valued the environmental services of the forest especially the shade provided for them during their meetings to the extent that they are willing to contribute towards the continue existence of trees and by implication the forests in the University environment. Payment for environmental services either in form of voluntary donations or direct contribution towards forest tree plantings can be an incentive to the providers of the services be it private or government

ALTERNATIVE COOKING FUELS FROM SAWMILL WASTES

In a conversion efficiency study, 10 sawmills were selected out of the existing 44 in Abeokuta metropolis. For 5 days per week in each of the 10 sampled sawmills, the volumes of all the round logs to be converted each day were determined using Newton’s formula. At the end of the days work, the volumes of all lumbers converted were determined and were subtracted from those obtained in the morning, whatever is obtained was the volumes of wood wastes generated in each of the sampled sawmills. This study revealed that the mean conversion efficiency of the 10 selected mills was 56.05%. As a result, the total volume of wood waste generated per day by the 10 mills was approximately 52.00m3. In the entire Abeokuta metropolis 2288m3 of wood wastes will be generated per day. When carbonized, 381 tonnes of charcoal will be produced. In conclusion, it is suggested that enormous volume of wood waste generated in virtually all the sawmills in Abeokuta and indeed Nigeria are collected together and be used in the carbonization of charcoal as substitute for kerosene

SMALL-SCALE, WOOD BASED PROCESSING ENTERPRISES; THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF AKURE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

A survey was conducted in Akure Local Government Area of Ondo State to give preliminary information on the magnitude, characteristics and contribution to rural employment of small-scale, wood-based processing enterprises through structured questionnaire. Small scale, wood based enterprise accounts for about 44% of the total rural labour force. The enterprises are characterized by very small size, heavy reliance on entrepreneur and family labour, technological simplicity of operations and rural location bias. Furniture, logging and carpentry were found to be the commonest among the small scale, wood-based enterprises. A range of problems facing small scale, wood-based enterprises was identified and a number of solutions were suggested. It was recommended that there should be removal of various discrimination through policies which might go a long way to ensuring a healthier small-scale, enterprise growth, reduction or removal of subsidies and other privileges currently offered the large enterprises rather than extending these support and incentives to small ones, a number of specific policy changes to increase access to market, reduce raw material and financial problems should be effected, and small-scale enterprise should be organized into groupings so as to benefit from policy changes

ALTERNATIVE COOKING FUELS FROM SAWMILL WASTES

In a conversion efficiency study, 10 sawmills were selected out of the existing 44 in Abeokuta metropolis. For 5 days per week in each of the 10 sampled sawmills, the volumes of all the round logs to be converted each day were determined using Newton’s formula. At the end of the days work, the volumes of all lumbers converted were determined and were subtracted from those obtained in the morning, whatever is obtained was the volumes of wood wastes generated in each of the sampled sawmills. This study revealed that the mean conversion efficiency of the 10 selected mills was 56.05%. As a result, the total volume of wood waste generated per day by the 10 mills was approximately 52.00m3. In the entire Abeokuta metropolis 2288m3 of wood wastes will be generated per day. When carbonized, 381 tonnes of charcoal will be produced. In conclusion, it is suggested that enormous volume of wood waste generated in virtually all the sawmills in Abeokuta and indeed Nigeria are collected together and be used in the carbonization of charcoal as substitute for kerosene.Charcoal, conversion, lumbers, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,