Analysis of Public Recreational Needs by User Population in South-Eastern Nigeria

This paper examined the recreational needs of the user population in South-eastern Nigeria. The study considered educational status, public awareness, degree of awareness, public recreational options, extant open space services, and reasons for low usage of available recreational facilities. The study was carried out using descriptive statistics, use of weights and relative mean scare analysis. The study showed a general loss of interest in the available public recreational facilities and services, thus leading to disregard of public recreational open spaces. This fact prompts a high rate of conversion of public recreational spaces in South-Eastern Nigeria for other uses. There is therefore the need to provoke users’ interest through classical advertisements, posting of bills and publication in both local and national dailies, particularly on the implication of converting recreational spaces in the areas being advertised. This calls for the need for public enlightenment plans in the likes of orientation programs, seminars, symposiums, recreation outreach courses and educating the masses at various levels, on the need to recreate and participate actively on public open space activities. Keywords: Recreation, open space services, public recreation, users, recreational facilities.

Changes in Liver, Kidney and Atherogenic Indices of Women in Ebocha, Niger-Delta, Nigeria due to Gas Flaring

Gas flaring causes pollution to the environment and also affects the human organs such as the liver and kidneys. The present study seeks to investigate changes in liver, kidney function and atherogenic predictor indices of native women of Ebocha, Niger Delta, Nigeria who have over the years been chronically exposed to the persistent gas flaring in the area. Two hundred (200) healthy and freely consented women aged between 30 to 50 years were recruited; one hundred (100) from Ebocha and one hundred (100) from Uturu the control station. Results revealed that the values of serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the concentrations of albumin and total protein were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Ebocha women when compared to values of women from Uturu. The pollution caused as a result of gas flaring did not affect the concentrations of bilirubin in women from both sites. However, serum creatinine, urea, K+, Na+, Cl- and HCO3-concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Ebocha women when compared to values for women from the control station. Ebocha women had significantly (p<0.05) reduced concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol but significantly (p<0.05) increased LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic predictor indices in comparison with those from Uturu indicating that chronic gas flaring has negative effects on the liver, renal function, lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices of women resident in Ebocha. Liver, kidney, atherogenic indices, gas flaring, women, Niger Delta.

Women Access to Land and Legal Security of Tenure in Ohafia Abia State Nigeria

Across the developing world, rural women suffer widespread gender-based discrimination in laws, customs and practices which cause severe inequalities in their ability to access, control, own and use land and limit their participation in decision-making at all levels of land governance. Most literature on land tenure in sub-Saharan Africa has presented women as a homogenous group. This study uses cases from Ohafia to show that women have differentiated problems, needs, and statuses in their quest for land access and tenure security. Ohafia in Abia State, Nigeria was the study area. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods including household surveys, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and observations. The experience of women revolved around fear of been cheated (19.7%), need a supporting hand (46.8%) and need approval from their husband (33.6%). The consequences of perceived exclusion and/or marginalization of women as revealed by women owner-occupiers are women subordination (70.2%) and marginalization of widow (29.8%). The study recommends the promotion of gender integration at all levels of projects and programmes by integrating gender perspectives in all future activities as it is required, for example, the FAO Gender Plan of Action and the UNCHS. To ensure gender inclusiveness in project and programme planning and in policy and decision-making, aiming towards a balanced representation of men and women in these bodies. Keywords: Land, Land Rights, Land Tenure, Women, Legal Security of Tenure

Challenges of State Institutions in Environmental Protection: A Case of Taraba State, Nigeria

This study examined the challenges of state institutions in environmental protection in Nigeria using the case of Taraba state. The institution theory was used as a theoretical framework for the study. The study adopted a descriptive design method using desktop review of secondary materials. Content analysis was used in analyzing the data. The findings of the study revealed that some of the challenges of the state environmental protection institutions include lack of political will, inadequate funding, inadequate qualified personnel, inadequate environmental protection infrastructures, poor condition of environmental protection laboratory, lack of office buildings for staff and poor capacity development. The study also revealed that since the creation of the Ministry of Environment in year 2000 in Taraba state, it is only in 2001, 2013 and 2014 that the ministry received up to 4% of the budgetary allocation of the state. The myriad of challenges have greatly constrained the capacity of the state institution to effectively achieve its mandate of environmental protection. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need for more political commitment to the issues of environmental protection through increased funding, employment of qualified personnel, establishment of environmental protection laboratories and increased capacity development. Environmental protection, institutional framework, Ministry of environment, State Institution and Taraba state.

Understanding, Approaches and Comportments towards Environmental Challenges in South-Eastern Nigeria

This study examines the understanding of scholars towards environmental challenges, as well as the connection between the environmental challenges, approaches and comportments in South-Eastern Nigeria. The Correlational Coefficient Analytical Technique (CCAT) was adopted in this study to ascertain the extent to which the three key variables (environmental understanding, approach and comportment), do correlate with one another and their possible effects on the sampled student population. Data was also elicited via environmental understanding test, environmental approach scale and environmental comportments scale. Furthermore, descriptive statistics and independent t-test were employed. The study among other things showed that environmental understanding did not have a higher correlation with environmental comportments (r = 0.21) than with environmental approaches (r = 0.46). However, environmental comportments were found to influence environmental approaches, by having a significantly stronger correlation (r=0.46) than environmental understanding (r = 0.21). The study, therefore, indicated a statistically positive correlation between the environmental understanding, approach and comportments on the surveyed environmental issues. Therefore, the environmental approach has a moderate relationship with the environmental understanding and comportments, although the relationship between the environmental understanding and comportments seems to be weak. The study, therefore, concluded that environmental understanding, approaches and comportments of participants do not have a significant difference. There is, therefore, the need to review extant curriculum to inquire into extant teaching practices with the hope to facilitate a clear-cut teaching approach geared towards sensitizing the students on the realities of environmental challenges, their consequences and measures to ameliorate, or at most, abating them. Keywords: Environmental understanding, environmental enlightenment, environmental challenges, environmental approaches, environmental comportment.

Access to Land and Legal Security of Tenure: Implications and Impact on Rural Development in Abia State, Nigeria

In the rural and communal settings, land rights are culturally attached to indigenous peoples in Nigeria, especially the inhabitants of the southern part of the country. Culturally, the customary land tenure system has generic value and security in such ways that it could be transferred from one owner to owner without restrictions. Security of land tenure is a vital ingredient that enhances the transferability of greater altitudes of investment. The study adopted a random sampling method and selected 1,061 house-owners and administered a set of structured questionnaires that contained questions that probed into issues on their accessibility to land and legal security of tenure. Another set of questionnaires was differently designed to elicit information from other stakeholders (Land managers, Town planning Agencies, Community/Family Heads, etc). Data obtained from the primary source were subjected to empirical analysis. The data were also complemented by secondary data. The findings revealed the socio-economic characteristics of the house-owners, means and duration of the period of land acquisition, determinants of access to land, and the implications on the securing planning permission, construction of illegal structures and the quality of construction. Finally, the paper recommended that tenure security in customary areas can be enhanced through the formalization of customary tenure. Governments should facilitate this process, initially where there is a demand for formalization. There is a need to harmonize reform efforts across customary and statutory law, regulations. Keywords: Land, Access to Land, Security of Tenure, Statutory law, Customary law, Rural Land.

Appraisal of electrical wiring and installations status in Isoko area of Delta State, Nigeria

Electricity is the prime mover of every economy; hence there is a need to maintain its generation, distribution and consumption. This study was carried out to appraise the status of electrical wiring in the Isoko area of Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 300 residential buildings, 200 makeshift shops and 100 artisan workshops were sampled and their structures, state of connection, overvoltage protection (cut-out fuse) and earthing were accessed. 100 questionnaires were distributed to electricians involved in electrical wiring and installations in the study area. Results obtained from the questionnaires revealed that only 71% of the residential buildings, 23% of the makeshift shops, and 8% of the artisan workshops made use of electric cables that met the NIS recommendations. For electric cable connections, it was observed that there was a lapse in the connections; mostly in the artisan workshops, as some service cables were not properly tightened to the distribution lines. Only 75% of the residential buildings, 53% of the makeshift shops, and 5% of the artisan workshops had approved rating cut-out fuse. It was observed that in artisan workshops, welding machines were connected directly to the service lines. Furthermore, the results revealed that 42% of the residential buildings, 87% of the makeshift shops and 99% of the artisan’s workshops lacked proper earthing. These results revealed electrical risks in many makeshift shops and artisan workshops and the need for the relevant authorities to act fast to minimize power outrage and prevent electrical tragedies in the study area. Keywords: Artisan, electrical wiring, energy theft, makeshift shops, residential buildings

A Survey of Electrical Materials Counterfeiting in Bayelsa State: A Case Study of Yenagoa Local Government Area

Electrical cables are the bedrock of every electrical wiring and installation. In this study, some essential cable properties (size, electrical resistivity and flame retardant) of electrical cables sold in Bayelsa state were determined according to NIS-approved methods. Four commonly used electrical cables (1 mm2, 1.5 mm2, 2.5 mm2, and 4 mm2) in Bayelsa State were sampled. Results obtained showed that most of the electrical cables sold within the Yenagoa metropolis fell below International Standards. Only 58% of the 1 mm2, 43% of the 1.5 mm2, 62% of the 2.5 mm2 and 46% of the 4 mm2 cables met the NIS recommended sizes. For electrical resistivity, most of the cables failed to meet the NIS recommendations. The resistivity of 45% of the 1 mm2 sampled cable, 39% of 1.5 mm2, 52% of the 2.5 mm2 and 33% of the 4 mm2 sampled cable were above the maximum limits approved by the Nigeria Industrial Standard. High resistivity observed in these cables can lead to electrical fire due to temperature buildup within the cable. Most of the cable insulators were made from good fire retarding materials. 92% of the 1 mm2, 93% of the 1.5 mm2, 89% of the 2.5 mm2 and 87% of the 4 mm2 cable insulators had flame retarding characteristics. Results from this study can be used as a guide by standard regulatory agencies to monitor the sales of electrical cables in the state since most of the cables sampled in this study fell below National and International standards. Keywords: Electrical cables, electrical fire, electrical resistivity, fire retardant, standards

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Wastewater from an Oil Industry at Point of Discharge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants