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Increased urbanization and population lead to increased consumption of manufactured goods. This ultimately results in increased production of waste. Identifying its composition is crucial for planning an effective solid waste management strategy. This study assesses the characteristics and composition of the waste generated within the Uyo Capital City Development Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This is to aid in developing a scientifically supported waste management pilot system for the state. Direct waste sorting and characterization were conducted on the municipal solid waste arriving at the landfill during the study period. Over 50% of the generated wastes are recyclables and composed of plastics, metals, and paper, while the fraction of organic waste is over 30%. Similarly, the waste generation per capita is 1.34 kg/person/day, while the generation forecast over the next ten years is estimated to increase by approximately 40%. Furthermore, over 9,000 surveys were completed by residents to establish a problem statement about the existing waste collection and disposal system, and possible solutions. Importantly, a majority of survey respondents were willing to source-separate their wastes and supported paying a fee for adequate waste collection. This strongly indicates that an integrated waste management system could be established to generate value from the collected waste. Supplementary revenue can be generated through composting, recycling, and land reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed at examining the site attributes and capital values of recreational real estate in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In order to achieve the stated aim, the objectives were to examine the site attributes of recreational real estate in the study area, to determine the mean capital value of recreational real estate investments in the study area and to establish the relationship between site attributes and recreational real estate investment in the study area. The research work adopted the cross-sectional survey type of design. The research population comprised Estate Surveyors and Valuers who have rendered professional services in the study area. Stratified random sampling method was used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of the data using the Microsoft Excel software. Data obtained was analysed using regression analysis and analysis of variance. Site attributes formed the independent variable and mean capital value constituted the dependent variable. The study found out that the site attributes comprised considered by investors in the study area comprised plot size, plot shape, utilities and open space. The study also found out varying capital values across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, with the maximum capital value of ₦164,100,000.00 observed in Uyo Local Government, and the minimum capital value of ₦58,280,500.00 observed in Ika Local Government Area of the study area. Regression result showed a p-value of 0.000, which is less than 0.05, F-ratio value of 46.58 and an R² value of 88.17%. This indicated a strong relationship and implied that site attribute has a significant relationship with the capital value of recreational real estate. The research concluded there was a statistically significant relationship between site attributes and capital value of recreational real estate in Akwa Ibom State. The findings in this research can aid policy makers in reintegrating and rebuilding sub-Saharan African nations for a sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multinational oil companies are expected to be socially responsible to their workers, communities and other stakeholders through their social activities, even at the expense of their immediate profit. In line with the above, ExxonMobil has claimed to have invested millions of dollars in community development projects within the host communities since her inception. The host communities on the hand claimed that the company has reneged on its corporate social responsibilities to them. The main objective of this work is to assess ExxonMobil efforts in discharging its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) in oil producing communities of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, survey and descriptive research design were adopted. Data were drawn from both primary and secondary sources. Accordingly, stakeholder theory of CSR was used as theoretical framework. The major finding of the study revealed among others that ExxonMobil h ad not significantly engaged in health care and skill acquisition programme in its host communities in Akwa Ibom State due to poor implementation of corporate social laws as well as the complicity of the Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) and the Exxon Mobil officials in the implementation of corporate social projects and programmes within the host communities. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that the government should put a legal framework on ground that will make Corporate Social Responsibility mandatory as against the practice currently in vogue where Corporate Social Responsibility is discretionary. This will make the oil and other multinational companies operating in Nigeria to take CSR as a serious business rather than what is obtainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the use of the value management (VM) concept as a project management technique by construction stakeholders in south-south Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the level of awareness of value management concept for construction projects in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. A cross-sectional survey approach was used for the study. Two hundred and twentyseven (227) copies of the questionnaire were administered while one hundred and seventy-seven (177) were properly filled and returned which give a response rate of 78%. Data collected were analysed using percentage and relative importance index while Mann Whitney U-test was used to test the hypotheses. The research findings indicate that even with the level of awareness of VM practices in the study area that stakeholders lack knowledge about various VM methods aside from concurrent VM and design charette. The study recommended that professional bodies and academic institutions should organise sensitisation programmes such as workshops and seminars amongst construction stakeholders as well as in undergraduate curriculum at higher institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sundry soils/rocks are characterized by electrical properties with clearly or obscurely expressed anisotropies. These anisotropic effects may be low, moderate or high depending on the coefficient of anisotropy (λ). The vertical electrical sounding technique employing Schlumberger electrode configuration and lithological information from boreholes were deployed to characterize the lithological diversity in homogeneous and anisotropic geologic units that serve as aquifer systems and their overlaying layers in the coastal region of Akwa Ibom State. Based on the λ , the assessed volume of sedimentary formation is classified into low anisotropy λ < 1.2, moderate anisotropy 1.2 < λ ≤ 1.3 and high anisotropy λ > 1.3 with alluvium (64.3%), inter-bedded shale and sandstone (14.3%) and shale and slate (21.3%). The estimated percentage of respective compositional coverage indicates that alluvium is dominant, while the blended inter-bedded shale and sandstone as well as the shale and slate are minor geologic units in the Benin Formation. Inferred index of spread of alluvium indicates that the homogeneous and anisotropic units assessed are intrinsic/microscopic in nature as identified by the impressed current that passed through geologic system. The results showcased that the plot between the strike-dependent resistivity ρ θ at arbitrary chosen strike and geometric mean resistivity ρ m can be used as a yardstick for inferring the degree of consistency of geologic compositions in homogeneous and anisotropic media. Both the quantitative (graphic) and qualitative (contour) results portend the thin possibility of having anisotropy free geologic units. The finding proposes that ground resistivity measurements and interpretations of geologic structures should be constrained by borehole information in order to firm up the intended plans for obtaining clearer, defendable and well-resolved subsurface structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is still regarded as a major public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries. Anopheles mosquitoes have been implicated as the major malaria vectors. However, species abundance, composition and distribution vary between different ecological zones. This study investigated the composition and distribution of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled bi-weekly from 15 randomly selected houses each from three communities in the study area by pyrethroid spray capture (PSC) method. Adult Anopheles species were identified morphologically and sibling species were further subjected to species- specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing. A total of 269 female Anopheles species were caught between July and December, 2015. The study indicated significant (p<0.05) abundance of Anopheles gambiae siblings, with An. gambiae s.s recording 219(81.41%) followed by An. arabiensis 32(11.90%). A proportion of the samples were unidentified 18(6.69%). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the distribution of A. gambiae complex over the period of the study with a peak in September 89(33.01%). Anopheles mosquitoes were more abundant in Itu Oma 120(44.66%) than West Itam 98(36.43%) and East Itam 51(18.96%). The study also recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher rate of blood engorged female Anopheles (54.05%). This finding showed that An. gambiae s.s was the predominant malaria vector in the area and also, the incidence of malaria been likely to increase during the wet season. Therefore, vector control must be carried out in these communities to reduce the number of these indoor biting mosquitoes. This study therefore, will be useful as baseline data to help design strategies for malaria control in Itu Local Government Area and also facilitate the success of the ongoing effort on the malaria control programme in the State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among college students. Evidence suggests there may be increasing trend in females. This study assesses the differences in attitude to use of condom to determine the risk of infections among students. METHOD: A total of 880 students from College of Education Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were assessed for attitude to the use of condom and relative risk of STIs, using the Sexual Risk Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age for males was 22.4 ± 4.7 years and females 21.9 ± 5.5 years. There were variable attitudes to the use of condom among students; 24.2% males and 21.9% females were used to unsafe sex with 1.105 relative rate (RR) of STIs at 95% CI; 34.7% against 27.4 % who were of the same HIV status had 1.179 (RR) at 95% CI; while 44.7% against 37.9% who claimed to be enjoying sex without condom had 1.132 (RR). The difference in relative risk of STIs was statistically significant in 29.4% of males and 32.0% of females who were pressured by partners not to use condom (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: Condom use is influenced by sexual practices. Negative attitude leading to its neglect, encourages sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS among students. There is need for attitudinal change in order to control STIs in our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on speciation, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of toxic and essential elements were undertaken in some urban dumpsite soils and Control within AkwaIbom State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from six designated urban waste dumpsites namely: Uyo (Uyo); Utu Abak (Abak); Atabong (Eket); NdoEyo (Onna); NungUdoeItak (Ikono) and IkotObongErong (IkotEkpene). While Control samples were obtained from a forest in IkotUdobia (Etinan). Samples collected were extracted sequentially using the Modified BCR speciation procedures to obtain the different fractions of toxic elements lead (Pb); cadmium (Cd); arsenic (As) and essential elements iron (Fe); copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Concentration of metal fractions in dumpsite soils and Control were analyzed for using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Unicam 939/959 model). Bioavailability and bioaccessibility models were employed for the determination of bioavailability factor and bioaccessibility index of these elements in dumpsite soils and Control. Results obtained indicated that, Pb and As existed mostly in the reducible fraction, Cd in acid extractable fraction while Fe, Cu and Zn existed principally in the residual fraction. Consequently, toxic metals were more available and assessible than the essential elements in both dumpsite soils and Control. Results obtained revealed that, the availability of these metals in the environment studied was basically controlled by the form they exist in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines and analyses the constraints on the financing and management of basic education in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A survey design, developed into 17 modules and administered as interview schedules, was used to collect the data from respondent s. At all levels of basic education, there was inadequate funding for the provision of physical and instructional facilities. This affected the management of basic education because of poor morale of teaching personnel, declining enrolment of pupils and students, except women in adult education classes. Financial support was very disappointing. Recommends that local government areas, state government, NGOs and communities should complement the efforts of the Federal Government by contributing towards th e development of basic education, especially at primary and adult levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]