Analysis of urban poverty and its implications on development in Uyo urban, Akwa Ibom State

Concern for studies on urban poverty has been of low priority to  government, researchers and development planners in Nigeria. For over two decades, studies have been focused on rural poverty. This study therefore, investigated the present poverty situation in Uyo urban area and identified the vulnerable groups and their spatial dimension. The study adopted a survey research design in data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data gathered from 20 sampled units in the study area Factor analysis technique was used to determine the different levels of poverty in the study area. The study revealed significant relationship between factorsof urban poverty and development in Uyo urban area. The study  recommended the formulation and implementation of policies by Government that would provide employment, housing, education,  improved health care among others for the urban poor

Estimation of trip generation rates for residential land use in Uyo, Nigeria

Change in trip rates affects a transportation system and could lead to the redesign of the transport infrastructure in order to satisfy the new demand. This study estimates trip generation rates for residential land use in Uyo using cross classification method. Five (5) residential estates were considered and household survey carried out to collect trip data from 500 households on purpose and mode of travel through household interview and their response recorded in questionnaire. Four independent variables (household size, household income, car ownership, number of employed persons) were used for the study based on the prevailing conditions of theresidential land use. Cross-classification trip rates were developed from the most significant variables; household size, household income and car ownership. The analysis indicated that work trip produced the highest reported trip rates of 29.6% followed by religious trip of 24.7%. Similarly, private car trips contributed 42.8% of trips made by mode of travel as the highest trip. It was found that household size is the strongest socio-economic variable that influence trip generation in residential land use in Uyo. The cross-classification trip rates developed in this study could provide basis for the estimation of trip generation in residential land use in Uyo. Keywords: Trip generation; analysis of variance, ANOVA; cross classification&nbsp

Assessment of Some Road Infrastructural Variables in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

It has been recognized that a good quality road infrastructure attract socio-economic development than the bad road condition. From this study, it was revealed that the study area has a total length of 6288km of roads. A total of 1272.6km (20%) constituted paved or tarred roads while about 5015.4km (80%) constituted unpaved or untarred roads. Information on road transport infrastructure variables was collected using field survey, questionnaire and data from relevant agencies. Factor analysis technique was applied to the fourteen variables to achieve a parsimonious description and identify the major factors which act as a pivot of road infrastructure quality development. From the analysis, two major factors were identified. Factor 1 identified and named as paved road and Factor 2, identified and named as unpaved road. The total variance for the factors is 55%. The study revealed that a greater percentage of the roads in the area are unpaved and it is recommended that efforts should be made to increase the length of paved roads in the area to attract socio-economic development.KEYWORDS: Road, Paved, Unpaved, Socio-economic, Development

Assessment of Road Development in Abak Local Government Area, Nigeria

The poor quality of infrastructure in terms of network density, connectivity and accessibility levels and general conditions of road affect not only the rural economy but also triggers internal migration to urban areas. This study aim at assessing road development in Abak local government taking into consideration road connectivity and accessibility levels and the general conditions of existing roads using data obtained from field and map analysis.The study area was stratified into five (5) clans using stratified random sample. The Gamma and Shimble index techniques were used to analyze the data. Three hundred and ninety eight (398) copies of questionnaire were collected out of the 400 copies distributed. The result indicated that the study area has a total of 152.4km length of roads. 36km are paved federal roads, 84km unpaved state roads, and 1.69 km paved local roads and 30.7km unpaved local roads. The current status of road development coupled with poor conditions of road infrastructure is devasting and counter-productive to economic development of the study area. The roads in the area have been identified as deplorable. Thus, it is recommended that more roads should be opened and paved and properly maintained so as to achieve adequate level of accessibility and connectivity in the study area.Key words: Road, Development, Connectivity, Accessibility

Development of road infrastructure as a tool of transforming Ibiono Ibom local government area

The need for road infrastructure arises from the fact that there is a greater need for accessibility and smooth movement of abundant agricultural products especially from the rural areas to the markets in urban centres. The improvement of transportation network in the rural area in this regard becomes imperative. This study was conducted to reveal the importance of development of road infrastructure as a panacea for socio-economic advancement in the rural areas. The study area was stratified into three zones i.e Ibiono Central, Ibiono Northern and Ibiono Southern. The Gamma index was used to determine the level of connectivity of each zone in relation to the distribution of socio-economic activity or services in the area. In analysis of the road network connectivity the gamma Index was used. The results indicate a low connectivity, index of 0.26 for zone A, 0.40 for zone B and 0.31 for zone C, in each of the three zones. This implies that there is poor accessibility, poor connectivity, which result in low level of socio-economic activity in the area. The analysis of the socio-economic development variables was carried out based on quality point assigned to the variables. Finally the correlation analysis was employed to determine the relationship between road infrastructure and socio-economic development. The correlation coefficient of 0.87 indicates a strong, positive relationship between road infrastructure and socio-economic activity. From the findings it is recommended that a major road that links all the zones should be constructed while, other roads should be expanded and tarred; new roads should be developed to improve accessibility. Greater community participation in road development and rehabilitation should be encouraged and a comprehensive transportation plan should be put in place at the local government level. It is hoped that this detailed research work will serve as a basis for the improvement and development of road infrastructure in rural areas which is a catalyst to rural transformation.KEY WORDS: Road, Infrastructure, Paved, Unpaved, Socio-Economic Developmen

PERFORMANCE OF WEANED RABBIT FED GRADED LEVELS OF AFRICAN YAMBEAN IN CASSAVA PEEL MEAL BASED DIETS.

The effect of feeding varying levels of African yambean in cassava peal meal based diet was evaluated in a 12 week feeding trial. Thirty two (32) New Zealand white x Chinchilla crossbred weaned rabbits of about 8 weeks old mixed sexes were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups of 8 rabbits each in a completely randomized design. They were allotted to 4 different diets as follows: African yambean based diets, T1 (control 0%), T2 (10%), T3 (20%) and T4 (30%). The rabbits were housed individually in cages and supplied daily with feed and water ad-libitum under a mixed feeding regime where Ipomea batatas leaves was used as forage supplement. Results obtained from this study showed highly significant difference (P<0.05) in body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Results reveal the inclusion of African yambean up to 20% as protein source in cassava peel meal based diets for weaned rabbits without any adverse effect on performance

Molecular weight influence on shape memory effect of shape memory polymer blend (poly(caprolactone)/ styrene‐butadiene‐styrene )

The shape memory effect (SME) does not only concern the macroscopic structure. It concerns also the polymer structure at morphological, macromolecular, and molecular scales. This effect may depend on different physicochemical properties like morphology heterogeneity, chain rigidity, steric hindrance, chain polarity, free volume, cross-linking or entanglement density, molecular shape and weight, and so on. Hence, finding the relationship between the SME and these properties is very important. This can help to obtain the knowledge about the phenomenon origin and mechanism. One of the basic polymer properties, which can have direct SME, may be the molecular weight (Mw). The question here is: If the Mw of a shape memory polymer (SMP) changes, for different reasons like degradation, what will be the effect of this change on its SME. In order to answer to this question, the investigation is focused on an SMP blend of 40% poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and 60% styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). Then, enzymatic hydrolysis is performed on this blend to change its Mw. It is shown that this change is only related to the variation in the Mw of PCL. After that, different samples with a distinct average Mw are prepared and characterized by various experimental methods. Shape memory tests are performed on these blends, and the recovery rate (Rr) for each of them is determined. It is found that when Mw of PCL decreases, its degree of crystallinity, its glass transition, and its melting temperatures, corresponding to the PCL phase, increase. However, the elongation at break of the blend declines with the reduction in Mw. The tests show that the alteration in the blend's Mw influences its SME. Indeed, Rr of the (PCL/SBS) mixture drops with the decrease in Mw of PCL

Entrenching an efficient urban infrastructure development in Uyo, Nigeria: A pragmatic approach

Urban infrastructure covers all facilities or services provided to support structural and economic development in urban centres. It is developed and maintained by public agencies to facilitate the achievement of common socioeconomic objectives. This paper is concerned with infrastructure such as accessible roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, telecommunication and waste disposal system. Two hundred (200) questionnaires were administered on residents of Uyo urban. The respondents were categorized into four groups including civil/public servants, students, cyclists and house wives/petty traders. To each group, fifty questionnaires were administered using random sampling techniques. Out of which 188 copies representing 94% were properly completed and returned. It was pertinent to conduct oral interviews as a means of extracting more information. Statutory agencies responsible for the provision of infrastructure were also visited such as Ministry of Works and Transport, Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited in Uyo. The results are presented statistically in tables and analyzed. The research observed that the sector is characterized by inadequacy and inefficiency to the detriment of the public. It concludes that public private partnership should be introduced into the sector as it appears the government alone cannot provide and maintain urban infrastructure

Development of road infrastructure as a tool of transforming Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area

The need for road infrastructure arises from the fact that there is a greater need for accessibility and smooth movement of abundant agricultural products especially from the rural areas to the markets in urban centres. The improvement of transportation network in the rural area in this regard becomes imperative. This study was conducted to reveal the importance of development of road infrastructure as a panacea for socio-economic advancement in the rural areas. The study area was stratified into threezones i.e Ibiono Central, Ibiono Northern and Ibiono Southern. The Gamma index was used to determine the level of connectivity of each zone in relation to the distribution of socio-economic activity or services in the area. In analysis of the road network connectivity the gamma Index was used. The results indicate a low connectivity, index of 0.26 for zone A, 0.40 for zone B and 0.31 for zone C, in each of the three zones. This implies that there is poor accessibility, poor connectivity, which result in low level of socio-economic activity in the area. The analysis of the socio-economic development variables was carried out based on quality point assigned to the variables. Finally the correlation analysis was employed to determine the relationship between road infrastructure and socio-economic development. The correlation coefficient of 0.87 indicates a strong, positive relationship between road infrastructure and socio-economic activity. From the findings it is recommended that a major road thatlinks all the zones should be constructed while, other roads should be expanded and tarred; new roads should be developed to improve accessibility. Greater community participation in road development andrehabilitation should be encouraged and a comprehensive transportation plan should be put in place at the local government level. It is hoped that this detailed research work will serve as a basis for the improvement and development of road infrastructure in rural areas which is a catalyst to ruraltransformation