Developmental Issues in Africa: "A Sustainable Development Process or A Process of Robbing Peter to Pay Paul" (The Nigerian Construction Industry Scenario)

The title of this pape1· is a question f01· which an answe1· is 1·equh-ed 01· demanded. It p1·e-supposes that in most Afl"ican countl"ies the1·e had been halting mthe1· than sustainable pmg1·ess. No wonde1· theref01·e that f01· many decades now, if not centudes, countl"ies in Afl"ica have 1·emained classified eithe1· as unde1·-developed, developing, thii·d wodd, name it, even afte1· many yeai"S of independence. This is not to say that in some instances both the political and economic decisions 01· policies had not been sound on some issues intended to 1·emove and 1·esist this derogato1·y tag but that in many other instances it has been mbbing Pete1· to pay Paul. Even when we have om· HEADS and HANDS full of IDEAS and TECHNOLOGIES locally developed 01· som-ced fmm those who gave us names we do not want to, 01· should not, answe1· 01· accept, yet we have ve1·y little to show. The question is why? This paper the1·ef01·e has tl"ied to look at the scenal"io in the Nigel"ia Consti·uction Industi·y to see whe1·e the industi·y has been hitting the ta1·gets in te1·m of development and whe1·e not f01· whateve1· 1·easons and to pmvoke thoughts and deep thoughts in the consti·uction industi·y and ueate awa1·eness in othe1· a1·eas by highlighting avenues fo1· b1·eakthmughs to 1·emove the yoke of unde1·development and, just may be fo1· once, be in cha1·ge of om· own destinies. P1·e-consti·uction, consti·uction and post-consti·uction phases of development all have ti·emendous impact on om· development and implementation pmgmmmes. This fact we often ign01·e, both as individuals 01· gove1·nment agencies as shall be seen in this essay. Ignomnce of this fact is ueating imbalances in om· development pmgmmmes amounting to mbbing Peter to pay Paul

In vitro Antimicrobial Screening on Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl. Leaves and Rhizomes Against Selected Pathogens of Public Health Importance

There is a need to establish scientific findings to many ethnobotanical uses of plants as phytotherapy which could find application in the pharmaceutical industry. Antimicrobial activity of Anchomanes difformis which is locally used in the treatment of diarrhea was investigated in this research. A. difformis leaf and rhizome were exhaustively extracted using ethanol, methanol and water as solvent in the ratio of 70:20:10. The antimicrobial activities were tested against pathogens of public health importance majorly the enterobacteriaceae and Candida albican. The zones of inhibitions ranged from 3-5 for rhizome extracts and 1-5 for leaf extracts at 100 l (0.1g/ml) MIC. The rhizome extracts contained phlebotannins, terpenoids and glycosides not found in leaf extracts while the leaf extracts contained steroids not found in rhizomes extracts among other phytochemicals present. Pseudomonas aeruginosa conferred resistance against the rhizome extract while Shigella flexneri conferred resistance against leaf extract. Differences in these observed susceptibility and resistance could be due to differences in their bioactive components. The rest of the organisms were found to be susceptible to both extracts showing that A. difformis had antimicrobial activity

Characteristics of a Web-Based Integrated Material Planning and Control System for Construction Project Delivery

For over 40 years that information and communication technology has been integrated in the construction industry, the adoption and use of the internet has been relatively low and slow. The use of the internet for the Nigerian construction industry has been mainly used for communication rather than for many other things the platform has to offer. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of a web-based integrated material planning and control system for construction project delivery. The study used case diagrams and a MVC model in designing the platform for the web-based system. The study revealed that using a web-based system can have the characteristics of ensuring good inventory, good retrieval system, notifications and prompting system and a third party viewing for good over-sight of construction projects. The study recommended more innovative use of the internet for solving many challenges confronting the construction industry

BUILDING INFORMATICS NEURAL NETWORK AND REGRESSION HEURISTICS PROTOCOL FOR MAKING DECISIONS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Building Informatics is a body of knowledge that uses the ICT computer system, digital systems, building information modeling, and state-of-the-art software in solving technical and management issues in building and construction fields. One of the modern methods used in data forecasting and modeling is Artificial Neural Networks, considering its advantage over traditional regression method. A data sample was taken of 1500 residential building projects’ completion costs. Regression analysis was carried out and model validated with functionality and Jackknife re-sampling technique. 150 Questionnaires were used to capture data on factors influencing application of heuristics protocol for decisions in residential building construction projects and data samples were analyzed using severity index, ranking, and simple percentages. Analysis of data brought up some factors that influence effective application of heuristic protocol in solving decision problems in construction decision process. The linearity analysis was carried out on the model and results indicated high level of tolerance and -0.0876 lowest variation prediction quotients to 0.9878 highest variation quotients. Also, 0.069 regression model fitness coefficient (R-square) was generated with 0.9878 highest variation quotients with standard error of 0.045. The results data attests to the stability of the model generated and the model is flexible in accommodating new data and variables, thus, allows for continuous updating

IT Management of Building Materials’ Planning and Control Processes Using Web-Based Technologies

Mismanagement of building materials has constantly plagued the construction industry resulting in issues of cost overrun, delay, high levels of construction waste, wastefulness, project abandonment, climate change etc. The purpose of the research is to examine an IT management of building materials’ planning and control processes using web-based technologies. The study made use of a desktop review of literature and a case diagram to illustrate the various interactions involved in the use of an IT system. A framework of drivers and barriers that affect the use of web-based technologies in planning and control of building materials in order to be able to achieve IT management by Construction Managers and construction firm’s head office was developed. In conclusion, the study developed a framework of a web-based material planning and control system for construction project delivery that engenders openness, transparency and accountability in the management of building materials on construction sites

COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES OF INDIGENOUS CONSTRUCTION FIRMS

The Nigerian construction market is one of the most vibrant and largest in Africa. However, indigenous construction firms (ICFs) in Nigeria struggle to survive in a harsh business environment characterized by intense competition and relatively low profit margin. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the competitive strategies adopted by ICFs in order to improve their competitiveness in spite of stiff competition. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research approach with the use of questionnaires. Seventy two (72) well-structured copies of the questionnaire were distributed to ICFs in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria based on convenient sampling technique. Data obtained was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and Spear man’s rank correlation. The findings of the study showed quality in constructed facilities as the most significant competitive strategy of ICFs. The study also indicated a strong and positive correlation between the competitive strategies of quality, schedule and cost. Since tradeoffs in any of these three (quality, schedule and cost) basic project performance criteria can have a devastating impact on project performance, the study concludes that ICFs adopt innovative and inclusive competitive strategies that focus on quality while attempting to achieve on-schedule performance and cost reduction in construction operations

Data on mixing and curing methods effects on the compressive strength of concrete

Curing, though important is sometimes underrated in concrete production. This dataset provided shows the effects of four (4) different methods of curing on two distinct mix ratios. The data provided in this article are for a study that was conducted on one hundred and sixty (160) cube samples of mix ratios 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 while employing four (4) different methods of curing. The data given in the article displays the finding of the study. The findings can aid in prediction and optimization of concrete behavior and compressive strength when any of the curing methods are utilized

An Empirical Investigation on the Benefits and Leakages in the Use of Web-Based Technologies in the Construction Industry

The internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) has the capacity to link the construction industry and its stakeholders to the desired smart and seamless future, although there are several leakages that have engendered the slow and low adoption in the construction process. Therefore, the study examined the benefits and leakages in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry. The research selected registered construction professionals through a simple random sampling method from Lagos and Abuja (FCT). A total of 1,160 construction professionals participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the principal instrument for obtaining primary data in form of responses from the construction professionals. Using a system block diagram, the study designed a web-based system using MySQL connected to the HTML web-interface through a PHP script processing the data back and forth. The study revealed that the use of web-based technologies in the construction industry can be engender efficient recording benefits, optimized production benefits and effective information processing. However, there are leakages such as usage risk leakages, culture leakages and tools leakages that may hinder the integration of web-based technologies in the construction processes. The study developed a framework for a web-based material planning and control system that can be used in the building materials’ planning and control processes that ensures that building materials information are archived, stock levels are identified and material delay is minimized. The study recommended the use of web-based technologies in several of the construction processes by harnessing its benefits. Efforts should be made to increase ICT training and education amongst construction professionals to intensify the proficiency of stakeholders in the use of web-based technologies in the construction industr

Sustainability strategies in the construction industry: implications on Green Growth in Nigeria

The construction industry is a major driver of economic growth. However, activities from the construction industry contribute significantly to environmental pollution and unsustainable consumption of depleting natural resources. Green growth on the other hand, is an innovative growth which motivates businesses to adopt environmental friendly activities.This paper assessed sustainability strategies in the construction industry. A quantitative research design was adopted with the use of questionnaires distributed to construction organizations in Lagos, Nigeria. Findings reveal that many of the construction organizations surveyed do not have sustainability strategies because of low awareness about sustainability issues in construction. However, of the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social sustainability), environmental sustainability was found to yield greatest benefit. For the construction industry to contribute to Nigeria’s green growth agenda there should be increased awareness of sustainability issues and institutional policies to drive sustainabilit