Trip patterns in Akure, Nigeria: A land-use analytical approach

For transportation planners, the use of Origin-Destination (OD) matrix adjustment, is receiving considerable attention. However, there are concerns about the validity of results, primarily related to the number and location of traffic count posts. This leads to the question “What would be the best set of traffic count posts to use in OD matrix adjustment modules?” It has been proved that solving this problem is cumbersome. There have been several attempts (either exact or heuristic approaches) to address this problem. But due to the inherent complexities, there is no efficient and easy-to-use methodology able to address situations on the scale of actual cases. This study demonstrates a simple way of identifying traffic count posts tailored to deal w ith real-size cases. The proposed methodology is based on a maximum matrix coverage criterion. Using a limited number of incremental trials, a set of links whose traffic flows give maximum coverage of the demand and maximum fitness to the corresponding traffic count rates are identified as traffic count posts. The results show that more traffic count posts do not necessarily yield a better result. This article reports on a project conducted for the public works ministry of the UAE city of Sharjah

Determinants of training needs of extension personnel of agricultural development programme (ADP) Ekiti state, Nigeria

The dynamics experienced in agricultural practice has put extension service delivery on a new platform that requires regular updating of the extension staff knowledge for new competences, to meet the changing needs of the clientele they serve. This study therefore sought to determine the training needs of extension personnel of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ekiti State of Nigeria. The population of the study was all extension personnel in the three agricultural zones of the Ekiti State ADP. Random sampling technique was used to select 60 extension personnel from a total of 65 extension personnel from the zones to which questionnaire were administered; however, only 51 questionnaires were returned which were analysed for this study. The mean age of the extension personnel was 44 years with about 63% within the age range of 41-50 years. About 76.5% of the extension workers had higher national diploma (HND). Forty seven percent of the extension personnel had work experience between 11 and 20 years; about 33% of them had work experience between 1 and 10 years while 19.6% had above 20 years experience at work. The results of the chi square analysis show that factors such as sex (X2 = 8.24, p < 0.5), educational level (X2 = 6.49; p < 0.05), years of work experience of the extension personnel (X2 =11.58, p < 0.5) and attendance of in-service training (X2 = 6.32; p < 0.10) were significant determinants of their training needs.Key words: Agricultural Extension personnel, extension services, training needs, Ekiti State AD

An Investigation into Road Pavement Failure Susceptibility Indices of Osogbo-Iwo Road

Osogbo-Iwo road in Osun state, Nigeria was investigated to determine failure susceptibility indices. The contribution of traffic[T], water table[D], geotechnical indices such as Maximum Dry Density and California Bearing Ratio[M] and [R], road cross-section elements such as cambering[A] and asphalt thickness[S] to road pavement failure were considered. The result showed a wide disparity between the specified Total TDRAMS Index(as shown by control Monitoringwell[MWC] ) and the Total TDRAMS Indices of the failed segments of the road up to 151%. This shows how wide the non-conformity in the construction of Osogbo-Iwo road is from the engineering specifications, both in material and in workmanship and it is the major part of what is responsible for the road’s incessant failure. Keywords: TDRAMS, pavement failure, geotechnical indices, camberin

Pyrolytic analysis of cocoa pod for biofuel production

This study carried out pyrolytic conversion of cocoa pod husk in a refurbished fixed bed type 17.4 litres capacity electric thermal reactor. The process was studied by heating 1 kg of dried sample at an average size of 20 mm x 30 mm x 1.9 mm and moisture content of 13.78% at four different temperatures (300 0C, 400 0C, 500 0C and 600 0C) using two electrical heating coils of 2.5 kW each. Bio-oil and bio-gas were produced and characterized. The average heating values of bio-oil and bio-gas were 36.23 MJ/kg and 35.24 MJ/kg respectively. These were higher to that obtainable from other fuels like Coal (27 MJ/kg) and Ethanol (29.7 MJ/kg). Physiochemical properties of bio-oil gave an average value of 0.9543 g/ml3 for density, and 1.88 mm2/s for viscosity. The density is similar to that of diesel fuel (0.83 g/ml) but lower in viscosity (3.10 mm2/s). Gas chromatography analysis of bio-gas shows that CO2, CO, CH4, H2S and H2O contents increased with increase in pyrolysis temperature. From the ultimate analyses carried out, the pyrolysis process produced bio-oil with an average of 75% carbon composition, 6.61 % hydrogen, 7.11 % oxygen, 0.16 % nitrogen and 0.007% sulphur. The proximate analysis showed bio-oil has an average of 25.57 % volatile matter and 58.44 % fixed carbon. Results showed that pyrolysis is an efficient and sustainable means of converting cocoa pod husk into rich sources of useful biofuel.Keywords: pyrolysis, fixed-bed reactor, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, volatile matte

Multivariate Approach to Benchmarking Quality Prediction Parameters in Building Maintenance Works

Observing quality etiquette on maintenance work is of essence when satisfying clients’ requirement is a priority. However, the quality etiquette comes in the form of framework and benchmarks. This study has therefore presented succinctly, multivariate approach to benchmarking quality prediction parameters in building maintenance works. The study used sixty-three (63) questionnaires retrieved which contains information on benchmarked parameters. The study used factor analysis to reduce the parameters to a sizeable number based on their coefficient and Eigen value. Resultant factors were used to dissect quality into quality dichotomies; the zero defect, medium quality and high quality work status. The model would assist building maintenance practitioners in quality monitoring on building maintenance works. Key words: Benchmark, Quality, Multi-variable, Rotation, Prediction

Effects of Solo and Pair Programming Instructional Strategies on Students’ Academic Achievement in Visual-Basic.Net Computer Programming Language

This study assesses the relative effectiveness of solo and pair programming instructional strategies on students’ academic achievement in the Visual-Basic.Net Computer Programming Language. Two research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The sample comprised 68 subjects distributed over the three treatment groups (27 solo programmers, 24 pair programmers, and 17 conventional programmers) from three hundred computer science students of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria. The Visual-Basic.Net Achievement Test (VAT) was used to collect data for both the pre- and post-tests. The VAT test was administered to all 68 subjects in the three groups, first as pre-test and after treatment as post-test. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer the two research questions while ANCOVA and multiple comparisons were used in testing the three null hypotheses. The results of the analyses indicate that: (i) the experimental groups performed better than the control group, (ii) the treatment appeared to be more effective among male students than their female counterparts, (iii) the main effects of treatment and gender as well as the interaction effects of treatment and gender were not statistically significant

Factors Inhibiting Stakeholder Management of Mega Construction Project

The study aims at examining the factors inhibiting stakeholder management of mega construction projects. The study is a case study research where project managers of selected 40 mega construction projects in Lagos, Nigeria were sampled. The study adopted a questionnaire as the research instrument as well as the use of purposive sampling technique for drawing up the samples for the study. The study found out that ineffective communication, incomplete identification of stakeholders, complexity of the project and changes in stakeholder’s interest are the most significant inhibiting factors affecting stakeholder’s management of mega construction projects. The study recommends that project managers of such complex project should encourage effective communication and subsequently prompt information dissemination among stakeholders in order to address diverse stakeholder’s concerns

Challenges confronting construction project management system for sustainable construction in developing countries: professionals perspectives (a case study of Nigeria)

The success of the Nigerian construction industry can be aligned with the use of construction project management systems, although, the industry has been maligned by issues such as building collapse, incessant delays, abandonment and cost overrun. It is therefore imperative to examine the challenges confronting construction project management system in Nigeria. In this study the descriptive survey method was adopted and data were obtained by means of inquiries using questionnaires. A sample size of fifty nine (59) construction professionals was used for the study. The study reveals that location of a project majorly influences Project Manager’s decision making on project planning. It asserted the crucial importance of Management skills required in practicing construction project management. In conclusion, the result identified that passive participation from Project Manager, lack of client involvement in making decisions, provision of substandard materials, design error, lack of effective communication and poor treatment of workforce are challenges hampering the use of construction project management. The study recommends the institutionalization of construction project management practice, compulsion of adequate training and skill modification programs for construction professionals to aid the sustainability of construction project management systems in Nigeria

CHALLENGES CONFRONTING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: PROFESSIONALS PERSPECTIVES (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA)

The success of the Nigerian construction industry can be aligned with the use of construction project management systems, although, the industry has been maligned by issues such as building collapse, incessant delays, abandonment and cost overrun. It is therefore imperative to examine the challenges confronting construction project management system in Nigeria. In this study the descriptive survey method was adopted and data were obtained by means of inquiries using questionnaires. A sample size of fifty nine (59) construction professionals was used for the study. The study reveals that location of a project majorly influences Project Manager’s decision making on project planning. It asserted the crucial importance of Management skills required in practicing construction project management. In conclusion, the result identified that passive participation from Project Manager, lack of client involvement in making decisions, provision of substandard materials, design error, lack of effective communication and poor treatment of workforce are challenges hampering the use of construction project management. The study recommends the institutionalization of construction project management practice, compulsion of adequate training and skill modification programs for construction professionals to aid the sustainability of construction project management systems in Nigeria

DEVELOPMENT OF A WEB-BASED TENDERING PROTOCOL FOR PROCUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION.

There are myriads of ICT tools in the construction industry but many construction procurement organizations are yet to harness the benefits. Tertiary institutions that are at the forefront of accountability, transparency and openness, engage in a lot of construction works but majority of them do not have eprocurement sites. The aim of the study was to develop a web-based tendering protocol for procurement of construction works in a tertiary institution. The development of a web app and a survey research design was carried out for the study. For the latter, a questionnaire instrument distributed to the client representatives and contracting firms operating within a renowned tertiary institution through a convenience sampling method was utilized. A total of 58 questionnaires were returned between the two groups. The study tested hypotheses using Mann Whitney-U and T-test. The result revealed that there are no significant differences between client representatives and contractors on e-readiness and importance of implementing e-tendering in the procurement of construction works. The study developed a web-based tendering system for procurement of construction works in a tertiary institution using PHP, MYSQL, CSS and HTML. The study recommended the increase in awareness of e-tendering platforms through trainings and implementation and stakeholders should take hold of the benefits of ICT in the construction industry. There is need to create official e-tendering sites for both public and private institutions for the purpose of procurement of construction works to encourage competitiveness among different classes of contractors, enhancing transparency, accountability and proper documentation