Patterns and Determinants of Recreational Behaviour in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

By surveying a 5% probability sample of residential clusters, yielding 369 residents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, this study has ascertained actual recreational behaviour of the residents; determinants of recreational behaviour; perceived adequacy/inadequacy of government provision of recreational facilities; and residents’ suggestions for improvement of recreational facilities. It was found, amongst others, that weekly participation in passive (outdoor) recreation averaged 3.7 hours and 2.5 hours for females and males, respectively; the corresponding figures for passive (indoor) recreation were 35.2 hours and 43.9 hours. For active (outdoor) recreation males and females averaged 8.9 hours and 5.3 hours, respectively. The corresponding figures for active (indoor) recreation were 5.3 hours and 6.2 hours. Of 5 personality variables, income was the most potent in explaining recreational behaviour. About one half and 43.3% of residents considered government-provided indoor and outdoor recreational facilities inadequate, respectively, demonstrating the need for government to play more active roles in (i) providing recreational facilities; and (ii) encouraging recreational participation, considering its well-known benefits.Leisure Time, Recreation, Participation, Recreational Demand, Multiple Classification Analysis

National Security and Development in Nigeria: A Study of Bayelsa State of Nigeria

Security is presently a major challenge in Nigeria especially in Northern Nigeria. Nigerians and non-Nigerians are killed on daily basis and in their numbers even the United Nations building and the Police Headquarters at the Federal Capital were bombed. Though the government claims to be on top of the situation, the problem persists. This work examines the nexus between National security and development in Nigeria. It uses public spending on security as proxy for security and the gross domestic product (GDP) as proxy for development. The work observes that there is a positive relationship between security and development in accordance with literature. The study is confined to Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The research design adopted for this study is the cross-sectional survey method. To ensure that the twelve (12) communities chosen from the six (6) local government areas that were chosen out of the eight (8) local government areas of Bayelsa State of Nigeria and their respondents were truly representative of the population. The stratified random and purposive sampling techniques were adopted. The researcher used 180 questionnaires, and the questionnaire was the major instrument for the collection of data for this study. The theoretical framework for this study employed Ralf Dahrendolf’s conflict perspective paradigm. In the data analysis the researcher employed the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and the chi-square statistics was used to test the hypotheses of the study. Keywords: National security, development, and economic growth

The Impacts of Smart Card Readers on Election Credibility in Nigeria: A Study of 2015 Presidential Election in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

The central issue in the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria was the use of the Smart Card Reader, which was a critical component in the election. It was used for the first time in the electoral process of Nigeria and it remains one of the greatest technological innovations of the 2015 presidential election. The Smart Card Reader is a technological device set up to authenticate and verify, on Election Day, a permanent voter’s card issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The fundamental basis for deploying the technological device was to ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair election and thereby to deepen Nigeria’s democracy. However, the use of the Card Reader generated debate among election stakeholders before, during and after the 2015 general elections. This study is located in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Four objectives were formulated to achieve and three (3) hypotheses were also discerned. The sample size for the study was 180 respondents. Data was collected with the use of the researcher’s constructed questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) tabulations, mean and percentages (%). Inferal statistics and chi-square were employed to test the hypotheses. From the findings of the study it was revealed that the chi-square calculated (x-cal) of 2.71 and the chi-square tabulated (x-tab) of 2.69 (p=2.71>2.69). This was an indication that the Smart Card Reader has credibility on the conduct of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. The study concluded the evolution of Smart Card Reader technology marks the significant development of the world. It was recommended that all Nigerians should accept the use of Smart Card Readers in the conduct of elections at all levels. Both INEC and Adhoc staff should be properly trained on the use of Smart Card Readers to eliminate the challenges experienced in the past general elections. Keywords: impacts, smart card readers, permanent voter’s card and election credibility

Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Study of Bayelsa State of Nigeria.

Economic growth is one of the surest and most sustainable ways of combating poverty. Cross-country studies on economic growth and poverty reduction indicate that a 1% increase in growth has been associated on average with a 1.5% reduction in poverty. The Asian Development Bank ADB (2004) report stated that there is a great deal of variation how much economic growth has reduced poverty across countries and even within countries over different periods of time. In statistical terms, the report noted that variation in economic growth can explain only around 45 percent (%0 of the variation in poverty reduction. These two stylized facts about growth and poverty linkages that poverty reduction is closely associated with economic growth but that this association is by no means perfect suggests two challenges for policy makers. However poverty remains a development issue, it has continued to capture the attention of both national governments and international development agencies for several decades. Since the mid 1980s, reducing poverty has become a major policy concern for governments and donor agencies in all poverty stricken countries, Nigeria inclusive. Thus, to attain the objective of reducing poverty in Nigeria, the pre-occupation of the government has been the growth of the economy as a pre-requisite for improved welfare. To this effect the government therefore initiated several economic reform measures which include Economic Stabilization measures of 1982, Economic emergency measures in 1985 and structural adjustment programme (SAP) in 1986. Components of SAP include market-determined exchange and interest rates, liberalized financial sector, trade  liberation , commercialization and privatization of a number of enterprises. The study is located in Bayelsa state of Nigeria. The Research design adopted for this study is the cross-sectional survey method. To ensure that the six(6) local government areas were chosen out of the eight local government areas constitute Bayelsa State and their communities and the respondents were truly representative of the population. The stratified random and purposive sampling methods were adopted. The researcher used 200 questionnaires and the questionnaire was the major instrument for the collection of data for this study. The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis. It is commended that for the package for economic reform to be successful it must be anchored on institutional reform, hence the latter forms a key component of needs. This marks a notable departure from earlier reform efforts. Keywords: Economic, Growth, Poverty, Reduction, and Bayelsa Sate

Design of A Portable Hydraulic Water Borehole Drilling Rig

One of mankind’s most important needs – water has been a very scarce commodity in Nigeria. Federal, State and Local Governments are not doing enough to provide portable water for the Nigerian populace hence borehole drilling has become a big business. Water boreholes are being drilled with manual methods using the tripod and seismic systems. These methods do not produce high quality potable water. Borehole drilling rigs that can produce appropriate quality of water are imported and are costly and borehole drillers can hardly afford them. It therefore became imperative for Nigerian Engineers to design and produce effective and cheaper water drilling rigs. Consequently, a hydraulic water drilling rig has been designed. The design satisfies the requirements of drill diameter and depth and has economic advantage over the imported rigs. The manufacture of the rig in Nigeria will also enhance the technological development of the country. KEY WORDS: Design, Portable, Hydraulic, Water, Borehole, Drilling, Rig

Experimental Determination of the Coefficent of Friction between Palm Nut and Iron

The oil palm (elaeis guineensis) commonly called African oil palm produces two very important products – the palm oil and palm kernel oil. They are used for food and industrial purposes. The palm kernel is obtained from the nut by cracking the palm nut using centrifugal machines. The design and operation of the palm nut cracking machines require the knowledge of the coefficient of friction between the palm nut and the metal (iron) that is used to make the cracking drum. The necessary coefficients of friction have therefore been experimentally determined. The coefficient of friction between dry palm nut and iron is 0.36, that between oil lubricated palm nut and iron is 0.30 a decrease of 17% and the coefficient of friction between dry palm fruit fiber and iron is 0.37. Keywords: Experimentally, Determine, Coefficient, Friction, Palm, Nut

THE CHANGING CONTEXT OF ENERGY GENERATION AND SUPPLY: The Case Study of Georgia

There is now extensive academic and policy literature on pressures to rethink prevailing logics of energy governance in response to a range of, challenges and opportunities from factors including, carbon reduction, concerns about the security of imported oil and gas, the exploitation of new fuel reserves, continued opposition to nuclear energy and new agendas of decentralised energy generation. Decarbonisation is a key element of those debates about a new energy governance reflecting the influence of carbon policy in the present and the future. The new energy governance is affecting many countries. This thesis focuses on the changing context for energy governance, and especially electricity generation and supply in the USA. Electricity generation is selected as the primary focus in order to explore factors such as new models of decentralised energy generation. The thesis presents an in-depth case study of the state of Georgia, and especially the changing strategies for the state energy provider, Georgia Power in response to changing economic and environmental imperatives in electricity generation and supply and lobbying from a range of key stakeholders. The case study is based on 25 interviews with key stakeholders, including Georgia Power officials, state energy regulators (public service commissioners), federal, regional and state agency representatives, industrial associations, clean energy businesses, environmental and consumer advocates and political organisations. The case study focuses on a range of key issues that mark tensions in the transition from the prevailing mode of energy governance, notably developing federal regulations, pressure for decentralisation and new nuclear development. The thesis makes a number of key contributions to literature and debate on energy governance. By providing in-depth investigation of a context for energy transition/new energy governance that has not previously been researched, revealing new bottom up coalitions for decentralised supply and the importance of electricity pricing in influencing policy decisions

Perancangan Interior Fasilitas Rehabilitasi Medik Kanker, RS Kanker Bandung (Interior Planning of Cancer Rehabilitation Medic Facility, Bandung Cancer Hospital)

ABSTRAK Kanker merupakan penyakit yang membutuhkan penanganan khusus baik dari pengobatan maupun fasilitas selama pengobatan dan pemulihan. Terdapat 4 tahap penting yang dilakukan dalam menangani kasus kanker yaitu tahap promotive, preventif, kuratif, dan rehabilitatif. Saat ini di Indonesia, tahap promotive hingga kuratif dapat di tangani oleh rumah sakit khusus kanker maupun rumah sakit umum. Namun, tahap rehabillitatif cenderung terabaikan atau bahkan belum terfasilitasi. Kebutuhan dan karakter pasien kanker dalam masa rehabilitasi yang cukup spesifik membutuhkan tersedianya fasilitas rehabilitasi medik khusus kanker yang terencana dengan baik. Perancangan Fasillitas Rehabilitasi Medik Kanker ini menggunakan konsep “Stress-Less Design” dimana ruang rehabilitasi dapat menjadi wadah yang dapat memberikan kemudahan dalam setiap aktifitas terapi dan memberikan kenyamanan dalam ruang sehingga dapat mengurangi perasaan stress dan tertekan yang di alami oleh pasien pederita kanker. Konsep ini akan dipadukan dengan penerapan suasana ruang yang terinspirasi dari alam. Tema Nature-inspired design dipilih untuk memberikan suasana comfortable, fresh and relaxing yang didapatkan dari penerapan unsur-unsur alam. Perancangan ini diharapkan dapat memberikan dampak positif bagi aktifitas terapi maupun psikologis pasien penderita kanker. Kata kunci : Kanker, Rehabilitasi Medik Kanker, Terap

Health Service Providers\u27 Preferences in ICT Use for Health Service Delivery in Namibia

Health service providers (HSP) in both the private and public health service institutions in Namibia have adopted information and communication technologies (ICT) for health service delivery (HSD). The extent to which ICT are currently being used is, however, not yet fully known. Also unknown are the preferences of the HSPs in the use of different types of ICT applications and hardware. Lastly, the perception of HSPs on various issues on the use of ICT for health service delivery is also unknown. Without a clear understanding of these issues, it is difficult for government to formulate strategies and policies to promote the effective adoption of ICT in the healthcare sector. Patients are also likely to make a sub-optimal use of the available ICT to improve their access to health services in Namibia. A study was conducted to address these unknown points. The study highlights the importance of ICT use by HSPs and the imperative to align the ICT use expectations, needs and requirements of patients with those of HSPs in Namibia to ensure effective use. The results of the experiment are reported in this paper