Building a GIS database for a typical urban setting v(a case study of the FUT Yola main campus)

An attempt is being made in this paper to build a GIS database for the Federal University of Technology Yola, using the ArcView GIS package. The spatial data itself was achieved by using conventional field survey methods. It was then later transferred into the computer via a scanner. The attribute data, which were collated from various departments, were entered into the computer in tabular form and linked with the spatial data. The outcome of the database was quite impressive. It has not only increased the speed of retrieving data but has allowed a unique kind of flexibility, which was practicably impossible in the past

Site suitability analysis and route optimization for solid waste disposal in Yola Town, Adamawa State Nigeria

Solid waste management system is a tedious task that is facing both developing and developed countries. Site Suitability analysis and route optimization for solid waste disposal can make waste management cheap and can be used for sustainable development. However, if the disposal site(s) is/are not sited and handle properly, it can cause environmental pollution and affect public health, hence the application of GIS and Remote Sensing to waste disposal Site Suitability analysis and route optimization for solid waste in Yola town. Different factors or criteria were considered in relation to solid waste disposal sites. In order to achieve the aim of this paper, the Boolean logic was used, where suitable areas were assigned value 1 and unsuitable area were assigned 0 for each of the criteria. The Boolean images were overlaid to produce the suitability map. The result of the suitability analysis gave a total of six sites out of which three met the criteria of size having an area of 612.75Ha which constitute 6.12% of the total area of the study area. The optimized route were generated connecting the proposed disposal site which are truck 1, truck 2, and truck 3 with distances of 19.65km, 17.16km and 22.11km respectively. It is recommended that remote sensing and GIS can be used in increasing efficiency of solid waste management in an urban settlement.Keywords: Solid waste, Suitable site, Route Optimization, GIS, Remote Sensing and Disposal sit

Effect of fermentation and malting on some cereal weaning foods enriched with African locust beans

Effect of fermentation and malting on some cereal weaning foods enriched with African locust beans were carried out. Cereals (wheat and millet) were malted for the period of 144 hours and further fermented for 48 hours by natural fermentation. The millet, wheat and locust bean flours were mixed together in the ratio 70:70:40 (w/w) to produce fortified fermented-malted food .The same ratio were used in the formulation of unmalted /unfermented food and fortified products. Microbial analysis of the prepared foods were carried out using pour plate method. Physicochemical, proximate analysis were carried out using standard procedures. Nine (9) points hedonic scale were used for the sensory evaluation on the products .Bacteria such as Lactobacillus sp, Bacillus sp, Clostridium sp, Leuconostoc sp, Staphylococcus sp, Streptococcus sp, E.coli, Salmonella sp and fungal isolates include Aspergillu ssp, Saccharomyces sp, Candida sp, Penicillium sp, Mucor and Rhizopus sp were isolated from the fermented grains. Staphylococcus sp, E.coli, Salmonella sp and some Moulds were isolated after 24 hours of fermentation and malting of the grains. The pH of 3.89 in millet and 4.04 in wheat were observed during malting and fermentation processes. Total titratable acidity (TTA) of malted/fermented millet was 2.46% and wheat had 2.31% TTA. Percentage crude protein increased from 3.33% in malted/fermented blend (sample A) to 6.3% while unmalted/unfermented (sample B) and fortified product (sample C) had decrease in % crude protein. Percentage fat content decreased from 6.17% in sample A to 5.9%. The % crude carbohydrate content decrease from 80.43 in sample A to 80.15 but higher values were obtained in sample B with sample C having 80.35%.Percentage moisture and ash content decreased after malting and fermentation in sample A and B except in sample C. The mean scores of sensory evaluation revealed that the formulated malted/fermented and fortified foods were liked very much compared to the unmalted/unfermented foods which are moderately and slightly liked.Keywords: Fermentation, bacteria, malting, cereal weaning foods, mould

Problems affecting fishers' livelihood and fisheries development in Kainji Lake Basin

This paper examines some critical factors related to fishers' livelihood, resource sustainability and development of fisheries sub-sector in Kainji Lake Basin (KLB). Based on empirical study the findings identified some major problems to include, lack of access to finance, deflation of resources, increase in fishers' population, extinction of some important fish species and gross lack of development activities etc. These arrays of problems form the complex nature of artisanal fisheries sub-sector, which impede substantial income generation well-being of the fishers' and development of the sector. The paper made some policy recommendations to serve as guide to relevant authorities in addressing the fishers' problems

Evaluations off heavy metals in fish from Lake Geriyo Yola, Nigeria using x-ray fluorescence technique

The evaluation of Cr. Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn,As and Pb concentrations in Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus from Lake Geriyo Yola,Adamawa, Nigeria using X - ray fluorescence (XRF) technique is discussed. The analytical samples are irradiated with high energy electrons of 109Cd to produce fluorescent X-rays was produced which passes to the Silicon-lithium detector through Mo target as a source of monochromatic X-rays. The spectrum of energy generated on the detector was processed by a Multi- Channel Analyzer to obtain analytical data. The intensity of the fluorescent X-rays on the detector is proportional to the concentration of the individual element of interest in the sample. This method can identify up to 30 or more elements at the same time. The results showed varying levels of heavy metals in the fishes. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Cu, and Ni in the fishes were much higher than WHO and PEPA maximum permissible limits, while the concentrations of Zn and Pb were lower than the standards. The results suggest that the lake is polluted with Cr, Mn, Cu and Ni and the consumption of fishes of the lake is life threatening to man

Perception of the environmental impact of chemical fertilizer application by vegetable farmers along River Ngadda of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

There is an increasing global concern on the current agricultural practices that are not sustainable owing to adverse impact of chemical fertilizer application on environment. This study identifies types of fertilizer applied, examined farmers knowledge on fertilizer application and assessed farmers perception of the impact of fertilizer on environment along river Ngadda in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were generated through field observation and anonymous structured interview questionnaire were used, while the secondary data was obtained from relevant literature. Through purposeful sample, 120 farmers were selected for the study. Findings revealed that farmers applied NPK fertilizer were 31.9%, Urea fertilizer 27.1%, Phosphorus 19.4% and those applied combined Urea and NPK were 21.5%. The study revealed farmers knowledge on fertilizer application, 50.8% have no formal training, 28.3% trained by extension workers and 20.8% were trained by World Food Program. Findings also revealed that 6.0% of the respondents perceived fertilizer pollute air, contribute to climate change were 2.7%, contaminate soil 25.7% while 3.8% perceived fertilizer build-up heavy metals in soil. Those perceived pollute groundwater were 12.0% and causes eutrophication 21.9%. The study concluded that chemical fertilizer increases plant growth and vigor, hence meets the food security of the world, but its continuous use degrades the soil and environmental pollutions. We recommended that opting organic farming and biofertilizers will create a healthy natural environment for the present as well as future generation