ASSESSMENT OF THE CAUSES OF 2012 FLOODS IN AGULERI AND UMULERI, ANAMBRA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
The study assessed the causes of 2012 flood in Aguleri and Umuleri in Anambra East Local Government Area. In doing this, questionnaire was administered randomly to the residents. The data generated were analyzed using frequency/percentage tabulation and Mann-Whitney U-Test statistical techniques. The following hypothesis was tested: (1) there is no significant difference between the causative factors of 2012 floods in the two communities. The results showed that there is no serious variation between the causes of 2012 flood in the two communities. In addition, the result also proved that anthropogenic activities induced the 2012 flood in the community. Consequent upon the findings, the study recommended that there should be flood hazard mapping in order to ascertain areas prone to flooding, so as to reduce the occurrence of flood in the area. It further recommended that the river channels in the area be constantly dredged from time to time so as to increase their capacity for retaining water. Moreover, it recommended that the inhabitants of the area be enlightened on the causes of flood. Finally, it recommended that environmental laws, especially those relating to flood occurrence and management, and land-use be enforced. In addition, areas of future research should be: (1) to ascertain the after-effect (post effect) of flooding on agriculture in the area; and (2) to obtain a flood hazard map for the entire Anambra State, especially the Anambra East Local Government Area, so as to know the areas prone to flooding, and to adopt adequate flood management techniques.
Keywords: Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria, The Causes of 2012 Floods, Umuleri
ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING AFFORDABLE AND HABITABLE PUBLIC HOUSING PROVISION IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
This view of this study was based on the establishment of strategies for improving affordable and habitable public housing provision in Anambra state, Nigeria. This study utilized a survey research design in the collection of data. The universe of study consisted of 2,805 occupants comprising mainly households, and 2,805 house units, comprising 1,032 in Awka city and 1,773 in Onitsha city. The sample size of 30% (842) was used as derived from Taro Yamani technique. A stratified random sampling of these disparate public housing estates based on their proportion to population was studied. A 16-item structured questionnaire on establishment of strategies for improving affordable and habitable public housing provision in Anambra state, Nigeria (QSAHPH) was developed. This instrument was face and content validated. Cronbach Alpha Technique index was used for reliability test which gave a value of 0.90. The data were obtained by pulling all positive responses for each group of occupants (Awka or Onitsha) as positive responses and as negative responses and their proportions obtained and filled below pooled observations (counts). Undecided responses were left as neutral. Complete responses were 797 comprising 299 occupants in Awka and 498 occupants in Onitsha. The research questions were processed using percentages. The major finding of the study was (1). Hence, the inference is that occupants in Awka perceived this dimension of public housing more positively than occupants in Onitsha. This difference between the two cities needs to be addressed in order to validate the Adam’s equity requirements in the built environment.
Keywords: Establishment, Nigeria, Strategies., public housing
EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE COST OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING CONTRACTORS IN SOUTH- EAST NIGERIA. (Published)
Organizations of all kinds are increasingly concerned with achieving and demonstrating sound occupational health and safety (OH&S) performance by controlling their OH&S risks, consistent with their OH&S policy and objectives. In view of this, the study is a detailed assessment of the cost of Health and Safety performance of building contractors in South East, Nigeria and the relationship between the cost of performance and success of building projects. It provides a framework through which contractors’ health and safety actions can step down the rate of accidents on construction sites. It employed survey research method where a questionnaire was structured and randomly distributed to a total of 150 respondents comprising three construction stakeholders (clients, contractor sand professionals) across the zone. Data obtained were statistically analysed using Chi Square statistics (X2) to ascertain if statistical relationships exist. Cramer’s V test is conducted to establish the strength the relationship. The result reveals that health and safety performance of contractors affects the success of building projects in terms of delivery time, quality, cost and productive, while non-performance induces litigations/legal costs which inadvertently increase the overall building project cost. The result also portrayed the believe of the stakeholders that implementation of health and safety programmes and policies increases the overall project cost and as a result health and safety programmes are really implemented on site. The study recommends that the stakeholders especially the contractors should look beyond the immediate effect of implementing health and safety programmes and policies and focus on their long term comparative advantages which include quality reliability, profitability and timely delivery.
Keywords: Building Contractors, Cost, Health and Safety, Nigeria, Performance