Reforming the legal framework for construction dispute resolution in Nigeria: a preliminary literature survey

This paper presents a preliminary literature review on the prospects of reforms of the legal framework for construction dispute resolution in Nigeria. At the moment, the prevailing method of resolving construction disputes in Nigeria are litigation and arbitration which have caused series of delays in major construction works. This paper seeks to propose effective legal framework for dispute resolution processes for the construction industry in Nigeria. While relying on some recent advances recorded in Malaysia and Singapore. While the method adopted is purely doctrinal legal research, the study identifies the relevance of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes in the construction industry in Nigeria as utilised elsewhere. The study found that the building blocks for the proposed dispute resolution framework in the construction industry in Nigeria are already in place but they need to be properly placed for a sustainable framework. The use of qualitative approach was to enable the study to know the experiences, perspectives and challenges facing the stakeholders in the construction industry in the use of the existing processes for construction dispute resolution. This approach will validate the need for effective construction dispute resolution processes. This is proposed to be part of the overall project management plan in any construction project so that the final project performance is not negatively impacted

Health status of senior citizens vis-à-vis the National Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria

The need to increase comprehensive health services to senior citizens in Nigeria after serving their fatherland cannot be over-emphasized; and the recent efforts of the government to encourage this through the National Health Insurance Scheme (hereafter referred to as (NHIS) is highly commendable. The objective of the paper is to examine the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) vis-a-vis the health status of these senior citizens to see how they can benefit from the scheme after their service years. A doctrinal approach is adopted in this paper which relies on references from primary and secondary sources relevant to this work. The paper finds the need to review the NHIS to enable the senior citizens benefit from the scheme for sustainability of their health as provided in similar programmes for their counterparts in some other countries. It is concluded that the extension of this NHIS specifically to senior citizens will go a long way in the management of their health by their dependants as well as paving way for remarkable changes in the efforts to protect and safeguard their health. The paper recommends a review of this scheme to accommodate the management of the health services of the senior citizens in Nigeria as well as subsidizing same in tandem with practices in some other climes.Keywords: Nigeria, Health, Senior Citizens, National Health Insurance Schem

Dispute resolution mechanism for electricity supply industry in Nigeria

Many Nigerian artisans have been rendered inactive in their various callings. One of the reasons for this is the poor supply of electricity by the designated industry. Unfortunately, many of these artisans do not know where to go and lodge their complaints when they are served expensive electricity bills. Therefore, this paper is aimed at evaluating the legal framework for electricity supply dispute resolution in Nigeria. It also examines the effectiveness of this legal framework. This paper employs a quantitative research approach by using a survey design for data collection and descriptive statistics for data analysis of the 15 stakeholders who were surveyed. The review showed that a dispute resolution outlet is provided for customers who may wish to express their complaints about easy access and quick settlements. The finding also revealed that the industry has moved to other more result-oriented dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, and conciliation, among others. There is a regulatory commission charged with the dispensation of justice on dispute resolution. However, what is left is public enlightenment to enable people to explore these available dispute resolution outlets in order to minimize the settlement period

Mupirocin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Mupirocin is widely used for nasal decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus to prevent subsequent staphylococcal infection in patients and healthcare personnel. However, the prolonged and unrestricted use has led to the emergence of mupirocin-resistant (mupR) S. aureus. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic and molecular characteristics, and geographic spread of mupR S. aureus in Africa. Methods We examined five electronic databases (EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Scopus) for relevant English articles on screening for mupR S. aureus from various samples in Africa. In addition, we performed random effects meta-analysis of proportions to determine the pooled prevalence of mupR S. aureus in Africa. The search was conducted until 3 August 2016. Results We identified 43 eligible studies of which 11 (26%) were obtained only through Google Scholar. Most of the eligible studies (28/43; 65%) were conducted in Nigeria (10/43; 23%), Egypt (7/43; 16%), South Africa (6/43; 14%) and Tunisia (5/43; 12%). Overall, screening for mupR S. aureus was described in only 12 of 54 (22%) African countries. The disk diffusion method was the widely used technique (67%; 29/43) for the detection of mupR S. aureus in Africa. The mupA-positive S. aureus isolates were identified in five studies conducted in Egypt (n = 2), South Africa (n = 2), and Nigeria (n = 1). Low-level resistance (LmupR) and high-level resistance (HmupR) were both reported in six human studies from South Africa (n = 3), Egypt (n = 2) and Libya (n = 1). Data on mupR-MRSA was available in 11 studies from five countries, including Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria and South Africa. The pooled prevalence (based on 11 human studies) of mupR S. aureus in Africa was 14% (95% CI =6.8 to 23.2%). The proportion of mupA-positive S. aureus in Africa ranged between 0.5 and 8%. Furthermore, the frequency of S. aureus isolates that exhibited LmupR, HmupR and mupR-MRSA in Africa were 4 and 47%, 0.5 and 38%, 5 and 50%, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of mupR S. aureus in Africa (14%) is worrisome and there is a need for data on administration and use of mupirocin. The disk diffusion method which is widely utilized in Africa could be an important method for the screening and identification of mupR S. aureus. Moreover, we advocate for surveillance studies with appropriate guidelines for screening mupR S. aureus in Africa

Exploring the implementation of ADR in the Nigerian construction industry

Dispute resolution mechanism is a concern phenomenon worldwide for minimising disputes occurring in construction industry. However, disputes can only be minimised and managed through the exploration and establishment of right dispute resolution mechanisms. These mechanisms should be well spelt out in the contract form for parties to explore whenever dispute arises. The nature of dispute dictates the type of mechanism to employ. A dispute may become complex if appropriate mechanism is not employed. Therefore, ADR has a lot to offer in streamlining the dispute resolution mechanisms used for construction dispute resolution in Nigeria. The major part of the study is dedicated to propose reforms in administration of justice in construction disputes in Nigeria. Meanwhile the UK and Malaysia models of ADR for construction dispute resolution are closely studied with a view to proposing practical reforms for dispute resolve in Nigeria. In other to achieve this objective, the research has used questionnaire survey. 600 questionnaires were administered to construction practitioners in Nigeria, out of which 307 useable responses were analysed for this research. This represent 51 % effective response rate. The findings revealed that, the use of ADR mechanism in construction cases can facilitate effective dispute resolution in Nigeria. The implication of the findings presented is this study were discussed in details

Domestic violence and violence against the girl-child and women: a comparative perspective between Islam and Nigerian custom

This article examines the violation of the rights of a girl child and that of women in Islam vis a vis what is prevalent in the Nigerian custom. The article provides a brief and authentic exposition of how custom, views women and the girl-child before the advent of Islam. One major objective of this article is to provide a fair evaluation of what Islam contributed towards the restoration of women's dignity rights before the birth of the Human Rights Instrument which have been adopted under the United Nations auspices for the protection of vulnerable groups, and women form part of the vulnerable groups and therefore need to be protected. The article finds that majority of the provisions set down for protection of these categories of people have not been fully explored as a result of societal and cultural influence on them. This article suggests that these provisions should be considered so as to whittle down the high rate of domestic violence in our society and disabuse the minds of people from causing grievous harm on girl-child and women. The article recommends that appropriate punishment should be meted out on person who violate the right to person of a girl-child and women

Statutory adjudication: A global trend for resolution of payment problems in construction industry

This paper examines the reality of payment problems bedeviling the stakeholders in the construction industry and the enormity of the threat that it poses in the delivery of projects in general and the economic development in particular in Nigeria. It x-rays the causes and effects of and possible solutions to this problem as well as the attempts that have been made to tackle the menace through the instrumentality of law at the international level and at the domestic level. The paper identifies, among others, the report of the project audit commission set up in year 2013 to investigate on the federal government abandoned projects which revealed that over 12,000 projects awarded by the federal government of Nigeria had been abandoned across the country while those of the states were even worse especially with the present economic recession while the deleterious effects of this phenomenon such as loss of lives, unemployment among others are also catalogued. Interview was conducted to collect in order to identify the causes of this payment problem. Hence, Fifteen (15) construction experts were interviewed consisting of legal practitioners, stakeholders and judges who have been into construction practice for more than ten (10) years were selected using purposive technique to get rich data. The findings revealed the inadequacy of the legal framework for construction dispute resolution in Nigeria. This has led to the abandonment of many of the projects across the country as well as claiming the lives and properties of some stakeholders. Hence, the paper suggests a number of ways through which these challenges can be tackled with the adoption of statutory adjudication act which has assisted many of the construction industry in other commonwealth countries to regain its lost glory. In conclusion, the paper makes certain recommendations for Nigeria such as the need to revisit the legal framework for construction dispute resolution and enact a law and modification of the existing laws guiding the resolution of construction disputes in Nigeria to accommodate statutory adjudication as a lasting solution to payment problems in construction industry

Removal of chlorobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene using novel poly-o-toluidine zirconium(IV) phosphotellurite exchanger

Novel hybrid exchanger poly-o-toluidine zirconium(IV) phosphotellurite was synthesized and physico-chemical properties of the material were well studied by FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM-EDX and TEM analysis. The composite exchanger showed good ion exchange capacity and excellent removal potential towards US Environmental Protection Agency listed priority pollutants like chlorobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene. The factors affecting the adsorption like time, pH and temperature were studied in detail using UV spectrophotometry. More than 90% of the pollutants were successfully removed using the exchanger. The composite also showed selectivity towards heavy metal ions, especially mercury ions. The sorption kinetics of the material was studied in detail using pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetics. The material followed pseudo second order kinetic model indicating chemisorption of the pollutants. The composite can be successfully used for environmental remediation purposes