Impact of irrigation with gypsiferous mine water on the water resources of parts of the upper Olifants basin.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.The generation of large quantities of mine wastewater in South African coal mines and the needs for a cost effective, as well as an environmentally sustainable manner of mine water disposal, have fostered interests in the possibility of utilizing mine water for irrigation. Such a possibility will not only provide a cost-effective method of minimizing excess mine drainage, as treatment using physical, chemical and biological methods can be prohibitively expensive, but will also stabilize the dry-land crop production by enhancing dry season farming. Considering the arid to semi-arid climate of South Africa, the utilization of mine water for irrigation will also boost the beneficial exploitation of the available water resources and relieve the increasing pressure on, and the competition for, dwindling amounts of good quality water by the various sectors of the economy. The disposal of excess gypsiferous mine water through irrigation has been researched in a few collieries in the Witbank area. In this study, the assessment of the impacts of using gypsiferous mine water for irrigation were carried out in parts of the Upper Olifants basin upstream of Witbank Dam, using the ACRU2000 model and its salinity module known as ACRUSalinity. The study area was chosen on the bases of locations of previous field trials and the availability of mine water for large-scale irrigation. The primary objectives of the study were the development of relevant modules in ACRU2000 and ACRUSalinity to enable appropriate modelling and assessment of the impact of large-scale irrigation with mine water and the application of the modified models to the chosen study area. The methodology of the study included the modifications of ACRU2000 and ACRUSalinity and their application at three scales of study, viz. centre pivot, catchment and mine scales. The soils, hydrologic and salt distribution response units obtained from the centre pivot scale study were employed as inputs into the catchment scale study. The soils, hydrologic and salt distribution response units obtained from the catchment assessment were in turn applied in similar land segments identified in the mine used for the mine scale study. The modifications carried out included the incorporation of underground reservoirs as representations of underground mine-out areas, multiple water and associated salt load transfers into and out of a surface reservoir, seepages from groundwater into opencast pits, precipitation of salts in irrigated and non-irrigated areas and the incorporation of a soil surface layer into ACRUSalinity to account for the dissolution of salts during rainfall events. Two sites were chosen for the centre pivot scale study. The two sites (Syferfontein pivot of 21 ha, located in Syferfontein Colliery on virgin soils; Tweefontein pivot of 20 ha, located in Kleinkopje Colliery on rehabilitated soils) were equipped with centre pivots (which irrigated agricultural crops with mine water), as well as with rainfall, irrigation water and soil water monitoring equipment. The pivots were contoured and waterways constructed so that the runoff could leave the pivots over a weir (at Tweefontein pivot) or flume (at Syferfontein pivot) where the automatic monitoring of the quantity and quality of runoff were carried out. The runoff quantities and qualities from the pivots were used for verification of the modified ACRU2000 and ACRUSalinity. The catchment scale study was on the Tweefontein Pan catchment, which was a virgin area mainly within the Kleinkopje Colliery, draining into the Tweefontein Pan. The data on the water storage and qualities in Tweefontein Pan, as well as the soil water salinities in the irrigated area located within the catchment were used for verification of results. In the catchment scale study, different scenarios, including widespread irrigation on virgin and rehabilitated soils, were simulated and evaluated. For the mine scale study, the Kleinkopje Colliery was used. The colliery was delineated into 29 land segment areas and categorized into seven land use types, on the basis of the vegetation and land uses identified in different parts of colliery. The centre pivot and catchment scale studies indicated that the impacts of irrigation with low quality mine water on the water resources are dependent on the soil types, climate, the characteristics and the amount of the irrigation mine water applied, whether irrigation was on virgin on rehabilitated soils and the status of the mine in terms of whether a regional water table has been re-established in an opencast mining system or not. The studies further indicated that the irrigation of agricultural crops with low quality mine water may lead to increases in soil water salinity and drainage to groundwater, but that the mine water use for irrigation iii purposes can be successfully carried out as most of the water input onto the irrigated area will be lost through total evaporation and a significant proportion of the salt input, both from rainfall and irrigation water, will either be precipitated in the soil horizons or dissolved in the soil water of the soil horizons. By irrigating with a saline mine water therefore, the salts associated with the low quality mine water can be removed from the water system, thereby reducing the possibility of off-site salt export and environmental pollution. On-site salt precipitation, however, may lead to accumulation of salts in the soil horizons and consequent restriction of crop yields. Therefore, efficient cropping practices, such as leaching and selection of tolerant crops to the expected soil salinity, may be required in order to avoid the impact of long-term salinity build up and loss of crop yields. The simulated mean annual runoff and salt load contribution to Witbank Dam from the Kleinkopje Colliery were 2.0 x 103 MI and 392 tons respectively. The mean annual runoff and salt load represented 2.7% and 1.4% of the average water and salt load storage in Witbank Dam respectively. About 45% of the total water inflow and 65% of the total salt load contribution from the study area into Witbank Dam resulted from groundwater storage. From the scenario simulations, the least salt export would occur when widespread irrigation is carried out in rehabilitated areas prior to the re-establishment of the water table due to a lower runoff and runoff salt load. It may therefore be a better water management strategy in active collieries if irrigation with mine water is carried out on rehabilitated soils. In conclusion, this research work has shown that successful irrigation of some (salt tolerance) crops with low quality mine water can be done, although increases in the soil water salinity of the irrigated area, runoff from the irrigated area and drainage to the groundwater store can occur. Through the modifications carried out in the ACRU2000 model and the ACRUSalinity module in this research work, a tool has been developed, not only for application in the integrated assessment of impact of irrigation with mine water on water resources, but also for the integrated assessment and management of water resources in coal-mining environments in South Africa

Intermediation Efficiency and Profitability Performance: Quantitative Evidence from Nigerian Banking Sector

The study was a conscious effort at analyzing the relationship between intermediation efficiency and profitability performance within the Nigerian banking industry from 1990 to 2009 with a view to identifying the determinants of efficiency and profitability.The study utilized a combination of descriptive statistics such as  graphical illustrations and pooled ordinary least squares regression techniques.  An in-depth analysis of the trends of key profitability and efficiency indices revealed that Nigerian banks rank among the most profitable globally, while it exhibits a generally poor rating in terms of efficiency of financial intermediation.  Tests of the relationship between intermediation efficiency and profitability exert significant causal effects on the efficiency of intermediation.Findings from the pooled ordinary least square (ols) regression results indicated that factors that positively determine the level of bank profitability performance include bank capital (bcp) (β = 0.53, t=2.04); Market Share (ms) (β = 0.31, t=1.81): bank concentration (bco) (β=0.74, t=1.72); white asset quality (ac) (β=0.52, t=2.15) negatively influenced it.  Conversely, factors that stimulate intermediation efficiency include overhead costs (ovh) (β=0.42, t=2.21); equity (eq) (β=0.60, t=1.95); bank concentration (bco) (β=0.49, t=2.02); bank’s profitability (roa) (β=111.23, t=5-21); while those that detract include loan intermediation (loan) (β=0.31, t= -1.81) and inflation (inf) (β= -0.92, t= -1.92).  The results therefore established that individual bank characteristics, industry structure and the overall macroeconomic environment are significant determinant of bank profitability and efficiency performance in Nigeria banks. Keywords: profitability, intermediation, efficiency performance, banking industry structure , macre-economic environment

Patrons’ Perception of Service Delivery of Medical Tourism Sites in Metropolitan Lagos

This study examined the patrons' perception of service delivery of medical tourism sites in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire administration. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 15 specialized private hospitals and 14 Public hospitals in the study area, resulting to a sample size of 29 hospitals. Ten (10) patrons were contacted in each of the selected hospitals; consequently, 290 patrons were sampled. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive (Patron Satisfaction Index (PSI)) and inferential statistic (Multiple Regression Analysis). Findings established that patrons are satisfied with Efficiency of Medical Treatment (PSI = 3.55), Satisfactory service (PSI = 3.87), and Standard level of medical staff (PSI = 3.46). While also expressed their dissatisfaction towards cost of treatment (PSI = 3.04), waiting time at the hospital (PSI = 2.92), and Good Laboratory (PSI= 3.31). Service delivery influences decision of patrons on choice of hospital to visit, this is as established by the result of multiple regression model R² = 0.898 (89.8%), F (7 & 282) = 355.004, p ≤.000. The study concluded that there exists a strong positive correlation between service delivery and destination choice. Keywords: Tourism, Medical Tourism, Hospital, Healthcare Service Delivery, Patrons’ Perceptio

Knowledge, attitude and willingness to accept Caesarean Section among women in Ogbomoso , southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) is a common procedure in obstetrics and has contributed immensely to improving maternal and foetal outcome; there are still concerns about the knowledge, attitude and willingness to accept the procedure among women especially those in the developing world.Objective: This study seeks to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and acceptance of women about CS in Ogbomoso. These women were more educated than most of their counterparts in South Sudan but because of the political situation we are unlikely to get similar data from South Sudan and therefore this study is of interest.Methodology: This is a descriptive study which was carried out in four health facilities. Respondents were selected using the systematic random technique with a sample interval of 2. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 16.Results: Of the 410 respondents, 63.2% of the women have a good knowledge of CS as a method of delivery. When CS was compared to vaginal delivery, 33.5% said that CS was preferable to vaginal delivery because the pain involved was much less; this view was however disagreed upon by 54.8% of the respondents. Only 75.6% of the respondents were ready to accept CS if there was a need for it.Conclusion: Mothers should be educated on the process involved in Caesarean delivery, the indication, advantages and complications in order to help them make the right informed decision.Keywords: Women knowledge, attitude, Caesarean section, Nigeri

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

This paper has attempted infrastructural development and its effect on economic growth: The Nigerian perspective. In Nigeria under investment in infrastructural development could be a bane to her vision of becoming a top 20 economy by the year 2020. Despite her economic growth over the years, this has not translated to economic development due to lack of infrastructure, high poverty rate, unemployment etc. The methodology adopted for this paper is a simple model of an economy with foreign investment and public infrastructure with a diversified equilibrium where the model is used to examine the impact of increased labor on production of private goods, public infrastructure, foreign investment, welfare and complete specialization. The paper went on further to advice the nation on measures to take to accelerate economic development, as economic growth alone is not enough

Giant Solitary Anterior Cervical Canal Neurofibroma: Case Report and Surgical Technique

Giant solitary anterior cervical canal neurofibroma (GSACCN) is rarely reported in the literature. When the large lesion is ventrally located to the spinal cord, an anterolateral approach may not be ideal due to various technical challenges. In this report, we describe a case of intradural extramedullary GSACCN located at the cervical region extending from the axis to the sixth cervical vertebrae. Here we also describe a posterior technique successfully used to resect the tumour. Therefore, the posterior approach by En bloc decompressive laminectomy and laminoplasty might be used to adequately treat the lesion

A community survey of the pattern and determinants of household sources of energy for cooking in rural and urban south western, Nigeria

Introduction:The use of solid fuels for cooking is associated with indoor pollution and lung diseases. The objective of the study was to determine the pattern and determinants of household sources of energy for cooking in rural and urban South Western, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of households in urban (Ado-Ekiti) and rural (Ido-Ekiti) local council areas from April to July 2010. Female respondents in the households were interviewed by trained interviewers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 670 households participated in the study. Majority of rural dwellers used single source of energy for cooking (55.6%) and urban dwellers used multiple source of energy (57.8%). Solid fuel use (SFU) was higher in rural (29.6%) than in urban areas (21.7%). Kerosene was the most common primary source of energy for cooking in both urban and rural areas (59.0% vs.66.6%) followed by gas (17.8%) and charcoal (6.6%) in the urban areas, and firewood (21.6%) and charcoal (7.1%) in the rural areas. The use of solid fuel was strongly associated with lack of ownership of dwellings and larger household size in urban areas, and lower level of education and lower level of wealth in the rural areas. Kerosene was associated with higher level of husband education and modern housing in urban areas and younger age and indoor cooking in rural areas. Gas was associated with high income and modern housing in the urban areas and high level of wealth in rural areas. Electricity was associated with high level of education, availability of electricity and old age in urban and rural areas respectively. Conclusion: The use of solid fuel is high in rural areas, there is a need to reduce poverty and improve the use of cleaner source of cooking energy particularly in rural areas and improve lung health. Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:

Patterns and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Ile Ife, Nigeria

Background: Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) is a cost effective intervention in saving under-five children’s lives in the resource poor settings. However, EBF rates have been shown to be low in these regions with variation in the duration of EBF.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess pattern and predictors of EBF among mothers attending well infant clinic at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Ile Ife.Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out between October and December 2014. A total of 250 eligible mothers were selected by simple random sampling among women attending well infant clinic OAUTHC, Ile Ife.A semi-structured selfadministered questionnaire was used.Results: The prevalence of EBF in this study was 23%. The pattern of EBF seen was in the duration of EBF. About 60% gave breast milk alone to their children only in the first month of life. Only 23% was breastfed exclusively for four to five months, while 5% breastfed exclusively for at least six months. About 40% practiced mixed feeding right from the first day of life.The predictors of EBF identified include; ANC attendance, a birth interval greater than or equal to 2 years, husband's positive attitude, giving breast milk as the first feed in life, and vaginal delivery.Conclusion: The practice of EBF within 4 to 6 months of life is still very low. Strategies that target improving access to quality ANC, and emphasize husbands’ roles in encouraging EBF should be giving priority.Keywords: Pattern, predictors, exclusive breastfeedin