Background Geochemistry of Soil In Part of Girei District, Upper Benue Trough, N.E. Nigeria (Published)
Soil geochemical study aimed at determining the background levels of trace and major elements in soils of a relatively small part (MAUTECH Campus) of Girei District has been carried out. The results show that the contents of trace and major elements in the area are generally low and vary by factors ranging from about 3 times (As, V), about 4 times (Ni, W), about 6 times (Cd, Rb, Be), about 10 times (Cr, Ba, Br), about 7 times (Se), about 18 times (Mo), about 30 times (Co) and about 45 times (Pb). The low contents reflect the granites and migmatite gneisses bordering the study area and suggest that the soil was derived from these granites with little contribution from the mafic gneisses. Correlations amongst elements are significant at the probability level of 0.01. Among the major elements; Mg has a strong positive relationship with Ca (0.88), and Al (0.74) while Fe is also strongly related to Al (0.69). Several trace elements have very strong positive relationship with one another: Ba-As (0.91), Be-As (0.93), Be-Ba (0.91), Cs-Ba (0.91), As-Cs (0.85), Cr-Ba (0.85), Cr-Be (0.85), Cs-Be (0.88), As-Ce (0.94) and Cs-Cr (0.86). Mn and Mo are poorly related with most of the trace elements. Among the rare earth elements, Eu is strongly related to Dy (0.98), Gd (0.99) and Lu (0.96) just as Dy is strongly related to Er (0.99), Eu (0.98), Gd (0.98) and Lu (0.98). These strong positive correlations among elements suggest that chemical and physical factors control elements associations in parent materials and soil forming processes. Consequently, the data may serve as a reference standard in the assessment and monitoring of possible future environmental issues related to trace and/or major element contamination
Keywords: Background Geochemistry, Benue Trough, Girei, Nigeria
Determining the Individual Significant Contribution of Public and Private Sector in Housing Delivery in Nigeria (Published)
One of the greatest challenge confronting both rural and urban residents in Nigeria is the need to provide adequate shelter. This study examined the individual significant contribution of the public and private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) in housing contracts in Ogun State, Nigeria. A field survey was conducted in government ministries (public sector) and some selected professionals (private sector) within the study area. Information gathered from both primary and secondary data was used to determine the significant contribution of the public and private sector in housing delivery. Questionnaires were distributed through systematic sampling method to 58 respondents in both private and public sector participating in PPP housing production in the study area. Result showed that the significant contribution of the public sector in PPP housing provision in Nigeria is the provision of land while the private sector contributes significantly high percentage of finance, manpower and technical support. The study recommended that for successful implementation of PPP housing projects, all tiers of government must strive to complement the weaknesses of the public sector with the strengths of the private sector. Furthermore, since the private sector provides bulk of the finance for PPP housing projects, government should provide a more conducive economic environment to attract more private sector investors.
Keywords: Housing, Nigeria, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Systematic Sampling Method
Sustainable Development Strides in Nigeria: An Analysis of Climate Change Awareness and Environmental Sustainability (Published)
The paper x-rayed the sustainable development strides in Nigeria: An analysis of climate change awareness and environmental sustainability. It started by looking at the sustainable goals as enshrined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and narrowed it down to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the paper examined man’s destructive interference in the environment; delicate nature of weather and climate with a critical look at the ozone layer. Subsequently, the nature, causes and consequences of climate change were properly reviewed and man’s efforts to create its awareness and how to mitigate the challenges of the change. Finally, the paper stressed the need for environmental sustainability for the future generations through climate change education and the way forward.
Keywords: Climate Change, Environmental sustainability, Nigeria, Sustainable Development, awareness
SUBSURFACE GEOPHYSICAL MAPPING AND DRILLING OF ABA-ISU LIMESTONE DEPOSIT (SHEET 156E), SOUTH-EASTERN, NIGERIA. (Published)
Geoelectric mapping and drilling of Aba-Isu limestone deposit was carried out using a hybrid method, a combination of Wenner and Schlumberger resistivity techniques. The iso-resistivity maps indicated a roughly NW–SE trending of the limestone deposit. The resistivity values in the range of 40-260Ώm is inferred to be limestone with varying gradations, and relatively low resistivity values <40Ώm. Areas around the central line axis have resistivity values >100Ώm particularly for the “a” of 5m and 10m respectively and consistent and coincidental with the areas where the limestone massively outcropped. The study area indicated a 4-5 layer stratified alternating sequence of high and low resistivity horizons, the sequence start with high resistivity horizon with values >100 Ώm alternating with low-medium resistivity horizons with values in the range of 20-50Ώm. This sequence in 2 or 3 cycles and terminated by the highly conductive horizon with resistivity values of <20Ώms. The pseudo-sections, resistivity values greater 100Ώm are inferred as limestone, there is a consistency of these values on a trend coinciding with the central line axis. The same values are observed at various depths beneath the subsurface implying the occurrences of limestone which extend beyond 35m depth.
Keywords: Aba-Isu, Drilling, Geophysical Mapping, Limestone, Nigeria