Analysis of Corporate Strategic Marketing Functions for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Case of Water Resources Commission, Ghana (Published)
Water resource management has been a bane to most nations globally, and Ghana is no exception. However, the case of Ghana is exacerbated to the extent that the few rivers in the nation which supply raw water to users for treatment and then serve homes and offices are seriously being threatened through pollution, and subsequently, destruction. Most rivers in Ghana are not pleasant to the eye, due to the turbid nature of the resource. ‘Galamseyers’, fishing folks and sand winners have been destroying the water resource of Ghana; their activities should be curtailed immediately to protect the commodity. As the saying goes, water is life and once it is destroyed the implications are disastrous, as diseases and death of the populace are the outcome. The Water Resources Commission (WRC) is well positioned by the government of Ghana, according to the Act 522, to make sure the resource is not destroyed, but protected for use by all. Every support needed to fight the destruction currently going on in the river bodies should be mobilized to nib in the bud the activities of the ‘galamseyers’, to protect the resource for future generations. Globally, the environment has been affected through human destructive activities and the climate change being observed currently globally, is a testimony for all to see. COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference held at Glasgow, 2021, issued a final declaration to keep alive the ambition of curtailing global temperature increases to not go beyond 1.5oC by 2100. Governments should therefore, do well to help protect the environment, including rivers and make life comfortable for all.
Keywords: Environment, Management, Water resource, human life, pollution and sustainability., rivers, ‘galamsey’
Examination of the Application of Health and Safety Plan on Construction Sites in Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
The construction industry is an important part of the economy in many countries and is often seen as a driver of economic growth especially in developing countries. Owing to its relatively labour intensive nature, construction works provide opportunities for employment for a wide range of people skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Despite its importance, construction sites are considered risky with frequent and high accident rates and ill-health problems to workers. However, knowledge on health and safety management and related factors on construction sites in Lagos State is not well documented. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the current practice of application of Health and Safety Plan during project implementation. In pursuing this objective, a descriptive case study research design was used where 32 construction project sites in Lagos State were selected through random sampling. A total of one hundred and twenty eight (128) copies of questionnaire were administered to participants with years of experience on construction management in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data obtained based on snowball and random sampling technique were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 using Mean Scores and Relative Importance Index (RII). The significance of each of the associated variables as impacted on construction workers health and safety practices on buildings project were determined using Independent Samples Test, Mann-Whitney U Test. Descriptive outcome of the statistical analyses showed a high prevalence need of safety practices. The findings of the study established dissatisfaction with effective use of health and safety plan and its implementation among site operatives because workers find it difficult to adapt to as it was against their traditional practices(RII=0.776), unethical practice of workers due to human attitudinal peculiarities (RII=0.766),inadequate engagement of safety managers on sites (RII=0.764), inadequate engagement of safety managers and ineffective supervision on site(RII=0.762) as well as poor communication between site managers and site operatives (RII=0.756) as factors preventing effective use of health and safety plan among the categories of respondents sampled. The study concluded based on Mann-Whitney U Test result on health and safety improvement measures and control systems available for health and safety practices and workers performance on construction sites. The study recommends use of a more proactive and integrated management mechanism to enforce the existing Safety and Health regulations in construction sites, in order to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health on the site.
Keywords: Construction Sites, Examination, Health & Safety, Management, Plan, Relative Importance Index
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA (Published)
The application of sophisticated technology in a laissez- faire economy to provide for the diverse needs of ever increasing population led to series of environmental stress and crises. The magnitude and complexity of these environmental problems evoked the raising of alarm from various quarters calling for urgent attention to the myriads of environmental problem issues, if man’s survival will be guaranteed. These alarms created the pressure that later gave rise to environmental management and control discipline and profession. In practical terms, environmental management and control is multi-disciplinary in scope and requires the training of crops of professionals that will be equipped with critical and analytical skills to provide both preventive and corrective measures to address all dimensions of environmental problems. Thus, the environmental and control education aims at training and producing competent personnel that will be intellectually equipped with sufficient and relevant theoretical and technical knowledge as well as skills for dealing with the problems caused by developmental projects and also who will possess the multi-disciplinary perspectives to team up with other professionals to achieve sustainable development in various aspects of human endeavours. Regrettably, it is only 30 out of 107 Universities and other 52 degree/HND/NCE awarding tertiary institutions in Nigeria that offer environmental management and control education. This is abysmally too low and poor which partly explains why environmental problems appear intractable in Nigeria. For sustainable development to become feasible and realizable in Nigeria, environmental education must be made compulsory in all tertiary levels of education as well as in pre-tertiary schools. Environmental management graduates are trained to work in the public and non-public establishments and as well as possess adequate skills to set up their private consultancy firms and become employers of labour.
Keywords: Education, Environment, Management, developmental projects., multi-disciplinary, preventive and corrective measures
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA (Published)
The paper examined the municipal solid waste disposal methods and the environmental issues associated with the management of solid waste in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained through administration of structured questionnaires to a random size of population in the areas that have the highest heaps of solid waste on the major streets and open spaces. Oral interviews and field observations were also carried out for holistic and detail assessment of the environment. Secondary data were obtained from desk review method; information on environmental issues resulting from poor management of municipal solid waste were obtained from relevant literatures. The results of the findings clearly show that major streets, several open spaces and even water ways are been used as refuse dump sites. The composition of the municipal solid waste in the city is heterogeneous; it contained both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials which are mostly e-wastes, plastic and polythene materials. The study also reveals that most of the refuse dumps are left unattended to for a long period. The study further shows that population growth and uncontrolled urban expansion are responsible for the continuous growth of these refuse heaps at the shoulders of the major streets, open spaces and water bodies. There is no organized house to house or street to street collection of the solid waste in some parts of the metropolis. In few areas where large waste bins are provided, they are hardly used by the community. The major environmental issues resulting from improper disposal and poor management of solid waste in Kano metropolis are physical nuisance of the waste to the environment, the solid waste are blown around by winds or rainstorm making the environment dirty, the waste sometimes block drainage channels during rainstorm causing flooding in the metropolis. The heaps of the solid waste serve as good hideouts for reptiles, rodents, and other dangerous insects. The solid waste may decompose to emit methane gas which contributes to climate change. Most of the non-decomposable solid wastes contain harmful chemical elements which have severe health implications. Generally, the study shows that soil, air and water pollution in the study area are caused by both pathogenic and chemical elements from these heaps of solid waste that dot some of the major streets and open spaces. Therefore, the paper recommends that a strong legislation with severe sanction be put in place and they should be a continuous public enlightenment on the danger of municipal waste to the general public. It is also recommended that available market be created for these waste that can be recycled.
Keywords: Biodegradable, Chemical Elements, Electronic Wastes, Environment, Harmful, Management, Metropolis, Non–biodegradable, Refuse Dumps, Solid Wastes