INVESTIGATING STRAW BALE AS A WALLING MATERIAL

INVESTIGATING STRAW BALE AS A WALLING MATERIAL

ABSTRACT

This project is the investigation of mechanical properties of straw bale as a walling material in building construction. Straw which is a local material, which is more economical than other conventional walling materials could be used as an elements in building when baled. This study shows the edges that straw bale has over other conventional walling materials (sand crate block), availability, ease of constructions, economical amongst others. The minimum plaster thickness (coating) which when applied to the straw bale wall that can give the optimum strength was found to be from 15mm-20mm this is obtained from compressive strength test.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In the construction industry today, the need to construct buildings with materials that are viable, affordable, easily harnessed, and sustainable has become a necessity as to the fact that the prices of conventional building materials are sky rocketing by the day and are getting limited in terms of their availability. The construction of building with materials that are workable, low cost, and plentiful has become factors to consider in the construction industry.

Straw bale is one material that has proven to have all the requirements earlier stated. Straw bale buildings have high compressive strength, energy efficient, and could withstand bad weather conditions (Roger, 2002).
Likewise, Chuck Bruner (1970) said “after the earthquake, there wasn’t a single crack in the house.

Straw bale is a renewable resources and it is grown annually and are found in large quantity around the country. The straw from the harvest homes of the United States major grains could be used to construct five million, two thousand square foot house every year (Matts, 1978).

This straw bale is a plant structure between the root crown and the grain head and it is composed of cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and silica, some of the plants that produce straws include wheat, rice, oats, and barley. Straw bale are mostly harvested by farmers and are usually made by them (unskilled labour) which makes building with straw bale easy and workable (King, 1998).

Straw is appealing as a building material for several reasons, first of all in grain production, straw is inexpensive and since straw is a secondary waste material from grain production, most at times used as food for animal bedding while some farmers also burn them in open field producing significant air pollution, releasing much of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere which could lead to the depletion of the ozone layer, In some areas most straws are tilled back into the soil, there is also evidence that too much straw may not be good for soil, and will throw off the balance between soil bacteria and fungi, reducing soil fertility, so if all this straws are put into better use as to be used in the construction industry, problem of soil infertility and ozone layer depletion will be greatly reduced (Butchart, 1994).

The bales are masses of straw compressed into rectangular block shape and bond together with steel wire or propylene twine. The springy tubular stalks of rectangular blocks are bound with steel wire or propylene twine (Harvest Homes, 2004).

With the increased industrialization of farms, other types of the bales are beginning to predominate in many areas, shapes, and sizes:

1. Jumbo bale: Rectangular blocks which consist of two types, the small ‘two-string’ rectangular block which is 18 in (460mm) wide, by either 14 or 16 in (350 to 400mm) high, and 32 to 48 in (0.8 to 1.2m) long. And the three-string “commercial bale” which is 21 in wide, by 16 in high, by 3 to 4ft long. These sizes range from 40 to as much as 100 pounds (18 to 45kg). Even larger “bulk” bales are now becoming common, 3 by 3ft (1 by 1m), or 3 by 4ft (1m by 1.2m) by 6ft (2m) long and bales of 4 by 4 by 8ft (1.2 by 1.2 by 2.4m) long, weighing up to a ton.

2. Circular bales: Disks bound with twine of typical dimension 4 to 5ft (1.2 to 1.5m) in diameter and up to 3ft thick and are machine handled.

3. Super compressed bales: Ordinary bales compressed to roughly twice the original density.(Chris, and Catherine, 2002).

There are two primary ways of building with straw bales.
i. Load bearing or Nebraska style.

ii. Post and beam / In - fill / non- load bearing method
In load bearing straw bale construction, bales are stacked and reinforced to provide structural walls that carry the roof load. While in post and beam method, a wood, metal or masonry structural frame supports thero of and bales are stacked to provide non- structural insulating walls.With either alternative, the bale walls are plastered or stuccoed on both the interior and exterior of the wall. The study will be based on the former.

The load bearing straw bale construction employs relatively simple techniques that are forgiving to novice builder and yet have sufficient flexibility to allow the creation of design features such as curved walls(King, 1998).

Moreover, a straw bale demonstrates excellent insulating properties such as thermal, sound and fire resistance. Also the structural capacity of the straw bale construction is surprisingly good (Adedeji, 2007).

It should be added that the technology of straw bale construction is still rapidly evolving .It is highly rated for ‘build ability’ because it can bevery straightforward. And it is important to keep bales during storage and construction and to try and eliminate vermin. During construction, tarpaulins or plastic sheets should be kept ready for covering otherwise vermin’s may destroy unprotected walls. Although it may not be dried, if bales do get wet slightly, they can often be dried out sufficiently to be usable.Lastly, it has been found that straw bale walls are very resilient and in the event of damage they can be repaired. Wet bales can be taken out and replaced (Harvest Homes; 2004).

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

i.  To evaluate the Compressive Strength of straw bale as a walling material (Plastered straw bale wall and un-plastered straw bale wall).

ii.  To assess how available and low cost straw bale material could be in building construction.

iii.   To make appropriate recommendation.

1.3 SCOPE

- Determination of the strength of straw bale (load – bearing type) in building construction.

-    Evaluating the compressive strength of straw bale as a walling material.

-  Comparison of the cost of using straw bale in building construction to sandcrete block.

1.4     LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study may be limited in terms of getting unskilled labour in caring out the block production in large quantity and getting adequate information concerning the specified building material as it is not well recognised as a method of construction in the construction industry. Time constraints may also affect the level of detailing required of this study.

AN EVALUATION OF CHALLENGES IN ON-GOING CONSTRUCTIONS PROJECTS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ABUJA CITY

AN EVALUATION OF CHALLENGES IN ON-GOING CONSTRUCTIONS PROJECTS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ABUJA CITY.

ABSTRACT

A major challenge to the construction practice in construction project in Nigeria is the apparent lack of knowledge on factors posing threat to construction processes. This knowledge-gap hinders construction experts to finish construction designs on time, completion of works and inflate price at the end of projects.This research was done evaluating the challenges of ongoing construction projects produce a result of challenges encountered in the construction projects, factor causing these challenges, the remedial/preventive measures to the challenges and also ranked the remedial/preventive measures in accordance to the degree of their importance. This research also determine how these challenges affect completion time and price of projects. The results of the descriptive research confirmed project conflict among professionals; poor purchasing management; poor leading and controlling skills; weather and climate changes; lack of health and safety practices; cost of material and labour; changes made by client; cost of purchasing equipment; poor organising skills; lack of proper supervision; changes in client brief as threat in construction projects. It was recommended that professionals in construction projects should inculcate the following in their construction programme: Resolving conflict that might spring up to improve communication and make sure that reliable and effective suppliers are involved in the construction stage; proper supervision of each construction stages and good working environment for workers on site; Improved health and safety plans making sure this plan are in use and improve quality control/market survey before and during construction; Complete and certified design and drawings should be provided and provision of incentive to impress faithful workers; Challenges faced on construction projects should be well managed to avoid inflation in project price and time over run.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The construction industry in Nigeria is a huge money industry and every year they meet up with the expectation of well to do contractors who bid for construction projects. Years back construction industry has possesses increasing regular purchasing power and excessive income for most construction companies in Nigeria. This is noticed with some public companies like Dantata, Julius Berger Plc., which have good success in terms of profits. Many others which are not publicly noted are increasingly expanding their operation to challenge these publicly noted construction companies. This growing construction companies have the chance of handling big projects like the road construction, and lot more. Not long ago some development projects by government and private companies have created opportunities for construction companies to yield enough profit and revenues. For example, most states of Nigeria infrastructural projects like road reconstruction, housing projects, bridges, building, construction of drainage, dams, rural electrification, city expansion and beautification projects among others have been on the increase in Abuja city and other city around, which help to generate huge amount of money in the labour market.

According to Hill & Bowen (1997), the social attributes of sustainable construction involves the issue of poverty and inequality. The idea in social sustainability is to increase standard of living by ensuring secure and adequate consumption of basic needs, which are food, clothing, shelter, health, and beyond that by ensuring comfort, identity and choice in built environment. Some characteristics of the construction industry pose challenges to its management and organization of personality trait. The industry is broken in pieces, often with a highly mobile workforce. The products are fixed while the process is flowing. The arrangement of participants to execute the project often involves grouping together of disparate and different organizations, professional and commercial entities into what is termed temporary multi-organizations (Zhang & Hu 2011). The industry is also faced with the challenges of addressing both company and project levels of management, especially in construction contracting. The participants in the construction industry include clients, consultants and contractors. Each of these participants may be organizations with differing loyalties and goals. The construction project, however, brings them together. The backwardness and harshness of the construction industry in relation to other industries have been acknowledged (Tazelaar&Snijders 2010; Zhang & Hu 2011).

Ramanathan, et al. (2012) evaluated some of the challenges facing ongoing construction projects which include; price fluctuations, poor workmanship, slow and late delivery, much time taken in paying contractors for completed works, less professional project team, poor planning, constrain in subcontractors’ job and over time, lack of experience on the part of the contractor, too much contract job on a contractor, improper contract management, late decision made by the management, lack of assistance on the management of the contract, lack of materials, equipment and machinery on site of construction, weather changing rapidly affecting the progress of construction work among others. Energy efficiency as stated by Santoli&Matteo (2003), that the energy performance of a building must be analysis using standards that include the coating of the buildings, the importance of technical systems and installed equipment, the position and direction of development of the building considering climatic changes, building exposure, its range of ability for renewable energy sources and other important factors, such as indoor environmental standard, that may affect the energy requirements of the building. Thermal comfort as explained by

Shove et al. (2008) said that introducing thermal comfort for man is an important factor of the heating and air conditioning industry. This has a basic effect on the whole building industry because comfort is not something created for building users, but a successful shot targeted to be achieved provided the working environment can be controlled. The control over the environment will partly be dictated by the building they occupy and its services. And these may be subjected to some constraints (Cole et. al, 2008). The purpose of the building must be to allow occupants to achieve their comfort goal. People adapt more readily to friendly thermal environments. The building should be designed to provide a thermal environment that is within the range usual for the particular type of accommodation, according to climate, season and cultural requirement. Site Suitability fact finding is important as this enable the site legality and physical accommodation of the type and size of project being constructed. When selecting sites for construction purposes site shouldn’t be sited in noisy areas and compatibility with present facilities should be ensured and determination of what else will be planned for the site in the future (Nwafor, 2006).

1.2 Statement of Problems

Constructions in Nigeria have been noticed to kick and stop. Most of the times this occurs majorly due to poor funding of the project, variations in construction designs, incompetent professionalism at the design stage as well as during construction. The involvement of quake in construction works in this industry, stakeholders and contractors trying to maximized profit leading to poor construction work and collapse. All these facts mention results into lost of lives of the occupant of these buildings, damage of properties and waste of funds. Bribery also being one of the problems noticed in Nigerian construction industrywhereby contractors’ payoff supervisors of project“it could be the consultants or development agencies” to use fake processes in installing inferior equipment and the use of less standard materials on site. Corruption has also been traced in the selection of suitable contractor for the execution of projects in Nigeria i.e. during procurement of contracts.

Time and cost have also been one of the major problems of Nigerian construction industry and all effort to solve this problem has been abortive. The aim of this research is to access some of these problem and challenges encountered by the ongoing construction work in Abuja city. Problem like efficiency in the design production and the construction stage which include cost control, reducing wastage on site, useful use of materials, encouraging the use of local materials for less energy in use and reduction also in the use of high cost material such as steel and cement. Another challenge in this industry is low standard of living of peoplewhichpose the need for new construction work to kickoff, poverty level of people contributes to the low standard of living of people which require installation of new and better infrastructure and basic for people (food, shelter, clothing’s). As a result of these problems faced by the ongoing constructions projects in Nigeria industry led to these research questions:

1. What are the major challenges encountered in construction projects in Nigeria?
2. What are the factors causing these challenges in ongoing construction projects?
3. What are the preventive or remedy measures to be taken to prevent challenges encountered    in ongoing construction projects?
4. How do these challenges affect completion time and price?

1.3Research Hypothesis

(RH) formulated for this study was:

RHo: price fluctuation is significant in the completion time of ongoing construction projects.

RH1: proper supervision and planning improve work progress without delays.

1.4Aim and Objectives

The aim of this research is to evaluate the challenges of ongoing constructions projects in Nigeria construction industry. The specific objectives are:

• To determine the major challenges facing ongoing construction projects in Nigeria.
• To evaluate the factors causing challenges in ongoing construction projects.
• To evaluate the preventive measures to challenges faced in ongoing construction projects.
• To determine how these challenges experienced affect completion time and price.

1.5Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research was undertaken to evaluate the challenges faced by ongoing constructions in the Nigeria construction in the city of Abuja. This in view accesses the facts and factors influencing construction production, “building construction”, causes of collapse and building deteriorating fast after some years of construction. Ongoing residential building constructions as well as commercial and industrial buildings were covered for these research work. In this research, only the professionals in the Nigeria construction industry were given chance to evaluate some of the problem encountered by ongoing construction project in the industry.

To improve the social attributes of construction industry, standard of living of people through poverty alleviation, provision of amenities, regulation of building project cost, stop tribal segregation and provision of a safe environment to work should be ensured.

WELCOME TO ENEMS PROJECT

ASSESSMENT OF CRAFTSMEN TURNOVER IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ASSESSMENT OF CRAFTSMEN TURNOVER IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

(A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN LOKOJA)

ABSTRACT

Turnover of construction craftsmen has been shown to have a negative impact on productivity and performance in the construction industry. This study gives an insight on the effects of construction craftsmen turnover in the construction industry. In the study, the main factors responsible for craftsmen turnover, the effect of craftsmen turnover on contractors’ performance and suggestions that will reduce the problem of turnover were determined. Four construction companies in the Lokoja Metropolis were selected by simple random sampling method. A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed between them and 46 of the administered questionnaire was responded to and returned.The data obtained were analysed with statistical tools such as standard deviation, mean and variance.Also pie charts, bar chart, column chart and line chart were used in presenting results. The four-point Likert scale was used to rank factors in order of their importance based on the relative Important Index (R.I.I) of the factors. The result shows that poor payment and benefits, poor treatment of workers and absence of advancement and promotion opportunities are the main cause of turnover while tribal differences and religious differences as regard cultural diversity are the main factors responsible for turnover. The study observed that craftsmen turnover has both direct cost and indirect cost effect on the performance of construction companies. Cost of hiring new employees, training of new workers and replacing old workers was shown to be the main direct cost effect on the performance of a contractor while indirect cost such as Project overtime, additional workload on remaining workers and reduction of project performance are the main effect of indirect cost. The study also shows that the problem of craftsmen turnover can be reduced by paying competitive compensation and benefit packages, fair treatment of workers and reward for dedicated workers are some of the best ways of reducing turnover while fairness, equal opportunity and respect for all and conducive workplace and cultural relation balance are ways of reducing turnover resulting from the cultural diversity of workers. The study also identified that motivation of craftsmen by increasing wages and salaries, promoting committed workers and training of craftsmen can be used to reduce the effect of craftsmen turnover.Based on the findings in this work, appropriate recommendations were being made to reduce craftsmen turnover in the Lokoja metropolis.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

            The construction industry is an important sector of the national economy which is responsible for the provision of goods and infrastructures for the comfort of man. According to Ayangade, J.A.,et.al. (2009), the construction industry in Nigeria contributes 16% of the Gross domestic Product and employs about 20% of the working class population.Okongwu, S.E. (2010) explained that the construction industry comprises of different trades and as such provides employment opportunities to the workforce.

            The production of goods and facilities require the services of construction professionals, craftsmen, artisans,Labourers and suppliers from various trades (Ayangade, J.A,et.al. 2009). To promote a sustainable growth and development, it is very important to invest in skilled workers (Russel, L., 2013). In a situation where economy is declining and the demand for labour is low, turnover cannot be considered as a problem, it can rather be a benediction to individuals, companies and the organization ( Arie, C.G and Erik, H.B, 2013).

            Turnover within and outside the organization is on rise and it is not the same in all organizations. This was supported by Shamsuzzoha, A.H. (2007) who stated that the rate at which workers leave differs from company to company.However, there are several reasons behind the movement of construction workers; they tend to leave an organization where they are unhappy or not satisfied with Job. According to William, B., et.al (2001), the wages of workers from different organization who perform similar jobs differs, workers that receives competitive pay will have greater tendency to stay compared to workers in other organization who are underpaid.According to Forgarty, et.al (2007),Poor management and indiscipline of individual offices of the organization increase employee turnover. Wei and Chen (2007) stated that it may be as a result of avoidable or unavoidable reasons. Unavoidable turnover of an employee may be as a result of death of an employee or organization policies; i.e Organization retrenchment exercise for workers, while avoidable turnover may be due to employee dissatisfaction on the Job.Tulascz (2001) pointed some of the reasons behind workers’ turnover as discontent with their direct supervisors, Job security, unfilled promises, unpaid bonuses, incompetent Leadership among others.

            Turnover of construction workers have an adverse effect on performance and productivity, it also reduces the profit realized by a company.Shamsuzzoha, A.H. (2007) explained that employee turnover is one of the factors that affect productivity which is fast becoming a serious concern.Derek (2006) stated that employee turnover directly affects the performance of an organization. This was also supported by the regression analysis of Muhammad, N.,et.al (2013) that employee turnover has a relationship with organization performance. The efficiency and performance of craftsmen is mostly dependenton the management of an organization. In situations where the turnover of skilled workers is high, productivity decreases. Contractors incur costs due toturnover; costs incurred may be cost of replacing, training of new workers and preparation of relevant documents. Training and motivation of workers in the construction industry have been recognized as some of the ways to reduce employee Turnover. Scott, B. (2007) explained that training contributes to the productivity of an organization, increases output which brings about an increase in the employee compensation and benefit packages and subsequently increases the tendency of a worker staying.

            Since several reasons behind the movement of employees have been identified by various researchers, it is necessary for management of organizations to find appropriate measures to reduce the rate of employee turnover. According to the Wall Street Journal (2004), hiring the right caliber of workers, paying competitive packages and the engagement of employees among others are some of the ways to reduce turnover. The SMEs according to Lisa, H. (2001) stated one of the various concerns that may prevent the implementation of productivity improvement as employee resistance to change. Turnover can be reduced if proper preventive strategies are taken by the management (Shamsuzzoha, A.H, 2007).As a result of the negative impact of turnover on performance and productivity, the Attract and maintain a skilled construction workforce research team (RT 135) was established by the Construction Industry Institute in 2014 to oversee the problem of turnover. Some of the recommendations made to contractors based on their findings are; paying a competitive wage and benefit packages, providing a conducive working environment, treating employees with respect and providing permanent employment opportunities.

 1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

            Understanding the problems associated with employee turnover and measuring their factors are very significant to the success of an organization. Many researchers have suggested reasons behind the movement of construction workers within and outside the organizationand this have been proved to be incorrect.Labour in the construction industry is an element which is not easy to manage and as such, it is the duty of the employer to ensure that everything is well coordinated and managed. The turnover cost research carried out by the Workforce Stability Institute (2000) explained that it is necessary to recruit and hire the right people to maintain a steady workforce on construction projects.  According to Shamsuzzoha, A.H. (2007), employee turnover is a terrible situation for companies which make the operation of an employer difficult to maintain. Employee turnover cause companies to incur some financial loss which will have direct and indirect cost on the organization ( Morrel, et. al, 2004). Direct cost according to the workforce Stability Institute (2000) are cost that can be determined and monitored which are mostly the prices paid to replace employees who leaves suddenly. Decreases in productivity and employee morale are indirect costs of turnover; they are also very important part of turnover. Hinkin, (2000) stated that indirect cost of turnover leads to decrease in productivity, project overtime and an increase in payment of those that are retained.

            The construction industry comprises of workers from different cultural background and this is becoming a challenge to the Nigerian construction industry. According to Kimberly, A. (2013), differences in language can lead to misinterpretation of events, backwardness as well as interruption if not properly addressed.

            Identifying the reasons, effects, and ways of reducing employee turnover will go a long way in enhancing productivity and performance of craftsmen in the Nigerian construction industry.

1.3 JUSTIFICATION

Turnover of craftsmen in the construction industry has received considerable attention from construction professionals and experts because of the setbacks posed on construction projects. Sigma (2005), explained that it is the most difficult challenge faced by an organization and the causes of craftsmen turnover rate is beyond the control of the employing organization. The present economic situation in the country where inflation is on the rise has also led to increase in the prices of construction materials. Consequently, it affects the performance of construction contractors. Craftsmen in the construction industries need to be motivated if the economy of the country must improve since the construction industry contributes to the GDP of the Nigerian economy.

Little attention has been paid to the cultural backgrounds of construction workers in the construction workers which is also a reason for craftsmen turnover. Cultural diversity must be put into consideration when determining the factors responsible for craftsmen turnover, it is important for organizations to determine the ways by which different workers from different cultural backgrounds can be united. Gadgets (2011)explained that some of the challenges faced by a diverse organization are the rate at which workers are leaving.However, there are many benefits from cultural diversity of workers if it is effectively managed.

 

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study will attempt to answer questions such as:

(i)  What are the factors responsible for craftsmen turnover?

(ii)What are the effects of craftsmen turnover on contractor’s performance?

(iii)  What are the suggestions that will reduce the problem of craftsmen turnover?

1.5 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Aim

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of craftsmen turnover in the construction industries.

1.5.2 Objectives

The objectives of the study include;

1. To determine the factors responsible for craftsmen turnover.
2. To determine the effects of craftsmen turnover on contractors’ performance.
3. To proffer suggestions that will reduce the problem of craftsmen turnover.

 

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

            Based on the aforementioned objectives of the study, this work will be limited to the construction craftsmen in the construction industries. It will examine craftsmen such as Mason/bricklayers, Iron and steel workers, carpenters, roofers, electricians, plumbers andPainters in selected construction companies in theLokoja Metropolis.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Turnover: This is defined as the rate at which employees leave anorganization and are replaced or the change or movement of employees within an organization or from one organization to the other.
2. Craftsman: Also known as an artisan is a skilled manual worker who produces items that may be functionally or aesthetically adequate.
3. Employees:A person who works for an organization in return for financial remuneration or other compensation.
4. Employers:A person or an organization that hires employees or workers. They offer wages and salary to the worker in exchange for the worker’ work or labour.
5. Motivation:A drive that initiates the mind of an employee towards a goal oriented
6. Training: The acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies.
7. Culture: This is the beliefs, values, behaviour and material objects that constitute a people way of life.
8. Cultural Diversity: This is the presence of people of different race, ethnicity, language, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation.
9. Productivity: This is the ratio of output to inputs in production; it as an average measure of the effectiveness of production.
10. Performance: This is the accomplishment of a given task measured against preset known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost and speed.

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THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARD

THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARD

ABSTRACT

As the name implies electronic displayboard is an electronic system that is used to display specific information to the public. It displays alpha-numeric characters in constantly moving format. This project present the design and construction of a microprocessor base electronic dot matrix display. This achieved with the use of an active component known as AVR micro-controller where the coded digit and letters in hexadecimal (BCD codes) are programmed for display on the digit electronic boards. The light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used extensively for the actual display character by their on and off states that are controlled by switching transistors. The power supply units consist of a step down transformer, rectifying diode and backup power supply unit. The project also consists of a display module where the information forms the micro-controller finally displays itself for view. The display module is made up of character per page, each containing 10 – 14 dot matrix array. This array is achieved on the board

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In the world today, there is a great improvement in engineering techniques  which lead to the development of engineering skills such as design and construction of electronic display board. There are various types of display board such as electronic scoreboard, posterboard, billboard, signboard and cardboard. Display board are commonly used for conventions, school fairs, for school and collage project and in business.

An electronic displayboard is an electronic equipment or device which is designed and constructed for the purpose of displaying different information to the view of the masses.

The information to be display could be diagram, symbols, letters, colours and code depending on what is needed at a particular place and time, this without doubt has made life easier for the people in different ways (Sedha, 2004).

However, the purpose of this project is to produce a narrative description of the designed and construction of an electronic display board. Electronic is an essential part of out modern world, it is hard to imagine what our line would look like without electrical and electronic devices, the signpost world has been changing throughout the history of our country, yet the atmosphere remained the same. The level of technology used is still relatively low, latest display gadget are not  put in place most signpost need periodic checking to rewrite the turnoff letters or raise up the fallen ones.

The advancement technology has been used to help in advertisement for displaying of information throughout an electronic displayboard in this twenty-first century (Sedha, 2004).

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The data (information) and idea used for the design and construction of this project were gotten or obtain from both primary and secondary sources. The primary information were gotten from various knowledge on the practical application of electrical and electronic engineering, lectures note discipline. Secondary data on the other hand were obtained by searching on the internet and textbook (Theraja,1999).

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM (Research)

The design and construction of an electronic displayboard provide a means of making advert easier, reading awareness and source of information to the public. Unlike before or presently in some places where technology is not advanced, displaying of information to the public is done manually which take a lot of time and stress in renewing information especially on signboard, billboard, posters etc. the high cost of implementation which is due to the high number of requirement of the Light Emitting Divide (LED), which most actives are not gotten easy and most of the component required fort the design and construction of electronic displayboard are gotten from outside country (Theraja, 2000).

1.3     AIM AND OBJECTIVE

This project is aimed at the design and construction of electronic displayboard. The main objective of this project is to display a movable coded display letters that says “WELCOME TO SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY” (SLT).

1.4     SIGNIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The significant of this study is to design a working electronic display board that will use Light Emitting Diode (LEDs) for the information of letters using matix formula. By the use of the principle programmable controller the project is capable of controlling the movement of the letters in a well arranged order moving from left to right so as to say it is reading out the words and also allowing them to light up for few seconds, blinks and repeat the procedure forever (contionusly) (Theraja, 2000).

1.5     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The design and construction of an electronic display board provide numerous advantage as well as application, but it is also subjected to many limitation and criticisms.

One of the setback in the design and construction of an electronic display board is that most of the component used are not found nearby, you have to ordered before you will be supplied, the electronic displayboard cannot displayed anywhere because of the wires used for the connection of the circuits.

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AN EVALUATION INTO THE EFFECT OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY

AN EVALUATION INTO THE EFFECT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY

(A CASE STUDY OF GITTO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY)

ABSTRACT

This project is on ‘’An Evaluation of the Effect of Human Resource Development on Organizational Productivity’’ with particular emphasis on Gitto Construction Company, Lokoja; The research work is divided into five chapter with each chapter linking the other. The objectives of the research is to identify the importance of human resource development as a means of achieving great performance in an organization. Two methods of data collection were used i.e. the primary and secondary sources of data and the data was analyzed using simple percentage method for easy understanding. The findings showed that after being trained as an employee on a particular job, some workers were not given enough time to justify their training and experience before they were transferred to another job. At the end of the research, it was recommended that Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Limited should not see the capital invested in this area as a waste. Rather, they should see it as an investment and that human resources should be transparent with those employees that have not attended long term training programme.

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Organizational efficiency and effectiveness simply imply the need for establishment of organized structures for higher productivity and the achievement of the stated objectives of such organization. One method of organizing higher productivity is for the human resources to be strengthened by the way of workforce to acquire skills. This underscores the need for training as well as manpower development. We know that the effectiveness of an organization in achieving the stated objectives is dependent on many variables. Training is undertaken in order that human potentials may be realized and utilized to the maximum advantage of the organization. This can also be utilized more fully to the mutual benefits of the individual organization, its immediate community and the world at large.

Training is therefore, regarded as a process of developing an individual in order to increase his performance standards with a given job, occupation, trade, profession etc. In fact, every organization must regard training of the employees as a paramount responsibility if it requires them to perform competently and become adaptable to its need and aspirations. Training therefore prepares the employees adequately for job and assist the employees to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudinal needs in their current jobs. It also prepares them for management succession and promotion to higher responsibilities. The need therefore, for training cannot be over emphasized.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Organization regardless of their types, sizes and functions require their staff to possess certain skills if the organization must achieve its objectives. However, the skills required of the organizational staff include; manual, technical, social and conceptual, all of which can be learnt in order to cope with various types of problems in the organization.

The Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Limited, has a great responsibility as the only organization in Nigeria that has been providing the higher quality construction work in Nigeria. It therefore follows that for the company to function effectively, it should adequately train its staff to cope with various responsibilities and challenges of contemporary civil and construction engineering. Unfortunately, there is no adequate arrangement to train the staff before they join this construction company. The training envisages for this company should be such that reflects the nature and functions of each category of staff. These staff of the company therefore require administrative, technical, and professional training to be able to function effectively and efficiently. In order to achieve this result, there is great need to have systematic and effective training programme for the staff of Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Headquarters, located in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

Despite the availability of resources, the study is therefore geared to investigating the cause of under achieving optimum utilization of staff, as it is necessary to train and deploy them to various departments according to their knowledge and skills.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of this research work is on the role of Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Limited in promoting training development of staff for future challenges. However, the aims of this work is to focus on the objective as highlighted below.

1. To recommend appropriate solutions to the problems of human resources management in the organization.
2. To identify the importance of human resources development as a means of achieving the great performance in an organization.
3. To identify any weaknesses or inappropriate practices in human resources development. As it affects Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study lies in generating a spirit of enquiries into some of the causes of ineffective human resources development.

It is through human resources that every organization become an open system, interacting with elements in the external environment. Organization growth and development can not be achieved without effective human resources.

On the human resources development of this study, it will be of significance value to the Nigeria, Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Ltd., and other organizations in decision making policy.

The research will also be of great importance to the management and staff of Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.

Finally, it will provide the means of solving the problems facing Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Ltd., and the possible solutions.

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

In any scientific research carried out in management science or many of the social sciences disciplines, we need to set out with hypothesis or an assumption.

Hypothesis is a tentative statement about something that is subject to verification as proposition has been drawn to be tested for the validity.

Hi:   Alternative hypothesis: That human resources development does enhance effective performance and high productivity in the business organization.

Ho:  Null hypothesis: The human resources development does not enhance effective performance and high productivity in business organizations.

Hi: Human resources development has some impacts on the achievement of organizational goals and objectives

Ho: Human resources development has no impact on the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.

1.6   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers An Evaluation Into the Effect of Human Resources Development on Organizational Productivity which focuses on Gitto Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Lokoja. The inability to cover Gitto Construction Company in other areas of the country is mainly because of constraints of time and cost.

1.7   LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This research work is strictly restricted due to some problems facing and the degree of severeness varies from one research to another.

Some of the problems faced in this research work includes:

1. Time limitation affects the attainment of the work
2. Financial constraints: This leads to the difficulty in the achievement of this research work.
3. Failure to return questionnaire by the respondents
4. Difficulty in collecting accurate data and analyzing them were not easy as some responses given by the respondents were not relevant to the topic of the research.
5. Delay of vital information as respondents are afraid to disclose in details some helpful information that can assist this research work.

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

CENTRAL TENDENCY: It is a situation where an evaluator tends to rate all employees within a range.

RANKING: This is to compare one person with others for the purpose of placing them in a simple ranking order of work.

GRADING: This is a system whereby certain categories of work are established in advance and carefully defined.

GRAPHIC SEALES: This is a techniques whereby an individual is assessed on factors such as initiatives, dependability, cooperativeness, attitude, foresight, and output of work etc.

MANAGEMENT BY PERFORMANCE (M.B.P): Is an approach that tends to emphasize participative and join determination of objectives followed by participative and joint evaluation of success in periodic appraisal.

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THE EFFECT OF MIGRATION ON THE URBAN AREAS

THE EFFECT OF MIGRATION ON THE URBAN AREAS

Urbanization caused by the combined expansion of population and urban areas poses many problems (Olusegun Aremu and Etol 1966:25).

i. Unemployment: Unless urban growth can be matched by commercial and industrial development, many people will not be gainfully employed in the cities, the urban authorities have to be constantly on the watch for development opportunities by offering attractive terms and economic stabilities for foreign investors to channel their investments in the city and sub urban areas. Facilities should be created to teach the people at the various skills in the industrial and commercial field so that the investors can be assured of the right people to make their investment grow.

ii. Housing: In a congested city, housing can be an acute problem. Scarcity of living accommodation can push up rental rates to exorbitant heights, as has happened in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja etc. living quarter can be a health hazard, especially in slums and squatter area.

iii. Traffic congestion: Large cities, within millions of inhabitants who have to live, work and move about invariably suffer from congestion on roads.

All kind of conversance, cars, buses, trains trucks, railways, motorcycle and bicycles jam the transport network and slow down movement. This is particularly serious during the rush hours of the morning, lunch time and home-going period as well as in the evenings when there are again many people on the streets going to restaurants and cinemas etc.

iv. Poor management: According to Mabogunje (2002:102), the cities, as is to be expected, have become the major destination of short distance migration from their immediate rural areas and long distance migration from the parts of the country. A city, like any economic organization, requires qualified enlightened and experience management to function effectively and profitably.

v. Environmental deforestation: Deforestation overcrowding always lead to drop a living standards. A large population in a small area puts a tremendous pressure on such every day matters as the disposal of sewage and garbage, and the provision of water supply, electricity social and recreational facilities, smoke from kitchens, factories and cars pollute the air and increase health hazard. The rise from traffic and the industrial site is often excessive and makes town life unpleasant with the increase in the urban sprawl.

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THE CAUSES OF RURAL - URBAN MIGRATION

THE CAUSES OF RURAL – URBAN MIGRATION

People do not just migrate from one place to another without a reason or a cause; existing literatures reveals that people migrate for settlement, to seek for refugee as a result of war, for trading activities for inter-marriage.

These, among others are the old and some present causes of migration. Some of these are identified by Ugofi Anyaele (2006:63-11) some of the causes of migration are as follows:
a. Employment opportunity
b. Infrastructural reasons
c. Structural reasons
d. Commercial reasons
e. Educational reasons
f. Communication reasons
g. Economic reasons

In a recent years, many towns have experienced rapid population increase from large number of people who flock into towns for one reason to another some of these reasons can be explained below:

a. Employment reason: It is believed that in the urban centres, there are specialists in various professions, as the rural fork image/guess. Immediately after their into the urban area for employment opportunities are far greater in urban acities, than the rural areas whether in shops, offices factories entertainment or other public services.

b. Infrastructural facilities: The level of development in the rural areas cannot be compared to that of the urban areas. This is due to the fact that in urbanize areas, there are facilities which attract rural people such as recreational centres, standard health care services (hospitals), pipe-borne water, cinema houses hotels electricity and mortorable road.

c. Structural reasons: The system of building houses in the rural areas is far outdated compared to that of the urbanized areas. Modern facilities for building houses are used in the urban cities unlike the rural areas where the building structure are cracking molded with clay and trash roofing.

d. Educational reasons: This urban areas are known to have standard institutions like universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, health technology institution etc. the rural students who wish to further their education come to the urban centres.

e. Communication/information reasons: The rural areas are known for retard development is rapid as a result of implementing government policies. Today, the world is in computer age where modern technology is attaining advancement and people are fast adopting system.

But in the urban areas experience improvement in the standard of living absence of inflation, improved infrastructural facilities and increase in national income or Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P)

Also industrialization helps the economy of the nation. All the industries sited pay certain tax to the government, some percentage to the government of the day (state level). Where industries are situated, it provides employment opportunities to the citizens. Other developmental aspect live the sitting of banks insurance companies, transportation and trading activities are not farfetched.

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AS A SOLUTION TO RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AS A SOLUTION TO RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

(A CASE STUDY OF LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Man is a social being who cannot stay in a place according to William’s theory on clash of pyramids. This is especially were most things needed are not in site.

The fulani’s who are known to be the normadic people migrated from Mali according to Mgbogunje (1996). These people settled where they found green vegetation to feed their cattle. They keep moving and taking refuge from one place to another in search of betterment. People who now form communities, state and countries today were migrant from one continent or the other.

The major problem facing Lokoja local government area of Kogi State and some other parastatals of similar magnitude is not merely the scarcity of well trained manpower but their inability to effectively utilize the skill of the few available one’s. The ability to manage involves a lot more than the technical and conceptual skills, and this has to do with the managers ability to work and interact effectively with other members of the organization. In order to spur other members of the organization to strive willingly to accomplish the organizational task, the administrator who manages people must be able to put in place the necessary motivational techniques which can galvanize subordinate to low productivity. The level of productivity is therefore determined by individual rewards and needs.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Over years, people have showed considerable concern from all walks of life for the development of rural areas both in advanced and developing countries. The crux of the matter, however, is that the new nations of west Africa with particular reference to Nigeria have given priority to their urban population as they leave the rural population frustrated in such areas as provision of social amenities, recreational centres or facilities, higher education, and employment opportunities among others.

This has led to the problem of rural migration, which this research is designed to address. The problem that causes rural urban migration is slated below: poor access road, poor school/colleges, high level of poverty, lack of recreational centres, poor electricity etc.

1.3  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The topic of this research project will be treated within the cycle of the case study but other relevant issues concerning the topic outside the case study will be used to compare or justify the topic as wide range phenomenon.

It will look at the effects of rural urban migration both on the case study and outside the case study in general.

Relevant solutions to the problems of rural areas will be preferred.

1.4  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objectives of the following can be seen in the below:

1. To throw more light on the rural infrastructural development as a solution to rural urban migration
2. To encourage people to stay and develop their communities
3. To suggest way by which rural urban migration can be checked and minimized and reduced to the barest minimum
4. To suggest ways by which the government can encourage the development of rural areas.

1.5  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For the purpose of satisfying the demands of this study, the following research questions are to be looked into:

1. Does the provision of rural infrastructure cause any reduction in rural-urban migration?
2. Does rural-urban migration cause inefficiency in public service?
3. Does low financial capacity cause rural urban migration?
4. How can we solve the problems of rural areas so as to stop mad rush to urban centre?
5. How can we control rural-urban migration?

1.6  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Research of this kind is important in many ways to a good number of people, government and other developmental institutions.

Firstly, it will add value to an existing literature on rural development and urbanization.

Secondly, it will assist all students within the realm of social science particularly those in public administration and regional planning department.

Thirdly, the study will be of immense value to government particularly the policy makers at all level on how best to develop rural areas.

Finally, other people who may wish to conduct research on rural-urban migration as it affects educational development at the rural level will equally find this work very helpful or useful.

1.7  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In this process of embarking on this research study, the following problem were encountered.

1. Time factor: There was no adequate time for the researcher to cope with the demands of the study
2. Information: This researcher was unable to get adequate information in the course of the study
3. Geographical location: This is also another limitation of this rigorous work. That is, the researcher does not have adequate time to travel from one geographical location to the other
4. Financial problem: Lack of adequate fund is also another problem of this rigorous work.

1.8  DEFINITION OF RELEVANT TERMS

The following key terms will be defined briefly:

1. Development: Emize (1979) See development as involving progression, movement and of advance towards something better. Its improvement on the material and non material aspect of life.
2. Effects: Simply mean the result of an action, the outcomes, the impression produced (Chambers mini dictionary of mark costable 1989).
3. Migration: According to Ayodele (1995), it is the movement of people from one place e.g. village to cities are towns, or movement from one country to another country.
4. Solution: According to Oxford mini dictionary (1999), it simply refers to remedy to rural diseases or trouble
5. Rural infrastructural development: This simply mean creation of infrastructures that assist in developing a place such as dam, road, communication network, electricity etc.
6. Rural area: This is an area that lack some development maturity e.g. in population size, occupation, communication, information, education system, nature etc.

1.9  ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one is the introduction to research project, other sub-headings in chapter one are background to the study, statements of the problem, research questions, scope of the study, limitation and definitions of terms, were discussed in details in chapter one.

Chapter two bothers on review of related literature.

Chapter three of the project is research methodology where the researcher shows the methods used to obtain data and samples.

In chapter four, the presentation and analysis of data was done in tables as the findings of the researcher.

Finally, chapter five of this work deals with summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations.

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POVERTY IN NIGERIA, CAUSES AND DIMENSIONS

POVERTY IN NIGERIA, CAUSES AND DIMENSIONS

According to Egwu (2002), poverty in Nigeria is a huge challenge. It exist in both relative, absolute and subjective form. Ideally there is a fixed level, usually known as the poverty line, below which poverty began and above which it tends. This concept is known as absolute poverty. While relative poverty are standard which are relative to the particular time and place. However, subjective poverty refers to whether or not an individual or group fee feel they are poor

More so, several scholars have attempted to operationalize poverty in which it can be measured. According to Remi M. (2007), poverty may be understood as an aspect of unequal social status and inequitable social relationship, experience as exclusion, dependency and diminished capacity to participate or to develop meaningful connections with other people in the society. He went further to say, poverty cannot deprivation of the means of subsistence. The manifestations of poverty includes inadequate distribution of resources, lack of access to basic social services like education and health care, food scarcity, low life expectancy and lack of participation in decision making process. The social aspect of poverty may include lack of access to information education, health care and political power.

According to James O. (2007), he substantiate on United Nations reports of 2002 that extreme poverty implies living on less than one US dollars ($1) per day and moderate poverty as living on less than two US dollars ($2) a day. Nigerian has a high unemployment rate, so poverty in Nigeria include deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, lack of food, clothing, shelter and safety drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn and to obtain better employment.

Therefore, poverty in Nigeria also have specific urban and rural manifestation. The depth of poverty in Nigeria is well recognized as it is known that two-third (2/3) of Nigeria live below the globally accepted poverty line as reported by World Bank. Nigeria poverty dramatized the paradox of the African reality where most of the citizens of a resources endowed countries are subjected to all mannered of materials and non materials deprivations.

To Egwu and Omale (2007), without covering the arbitrary intellectual space of defining poverty, it is important to suggest that there are several index used in the measurement of poverty. Those includes human poverty index, human development index, gender development index looks at related issues such as life expectance, education, material acquisition and infant mortality rate. While human poverty index concentrates on calculating deprivation in terms of ‘’connectivity’’ (survival rates) ‘’knowledge’’ (rate of literacy)’’ access to basic services (standard of living).

Furthermore, the endemic poverty is widely shared across the six (6) geopolitical zones in Nigeria for instance, there is a death of medical personnel on the ratio of doctors to populations, while the national average is one (1) doctor to 40,000 people, the ratio in the Niger Delta is a Doctor to 232,000 people in the rural areas. Meanwhile, only 27% of the Niger Delta people have access to clean drinking water, while 305 have access to electricity, 6% have access to telephone and 7% have never used telephone. However, this situation confirms the saying that ‘’poverty anywhere constitute a danger to prosperity any where’’.

According to Townsend P. (2004), in Tinuke (2012), poverty is seen in terms of per capital income, per capital energy consumption, strategy staples as a percentage of calories consumed, life expectancy, instant mortality and the number of inhabitants per physician.

Poverty is a macro problem. The causes are so wide as they are deep also. The World Development Report (2002/2001) observed that some of key reason why people from most part of the world are poor and remain poor includes the following political instability natural disaster, corruption, socio-economic disparities and prejudice, lack of access to education, lack of infrastructural facilities, acute condition like welfare agricultural cycle, subsistence farming and productions, draught and flooding, hurricane and environmental forces.

To Eguw (2007), these include the causes of poverty in Kogi State.
i. Unemployment
ii. Under employment
iii. Death of break-winner in a family
iv. Polygamous family
v. Corruption and leadership problem in Kogi State.

He equally said, poverty in Nigeria has a specific gender dimension in the sense that the incidence of poverty are high among women than men.

This reality familiarizing of poverty is explained by this relative lack of access to capital and other means of production including land. The implication of this is that, any effort aims at challenging poverty must take into account of gender dimension. Other dimension of poverty includes low nutritional status, low level of education, and decline in spending on social activities, high percentage of household income spent on food and low life expectancy.

ANALYSIS OF THE STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN KOGI STATE

ANALYSIS OF THE STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN KOGI STATE

(A CASE STUDY OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

ABSTRACT

This research work titled ‘’Analysis of Strategies for Employment Generation in Kogi State’’ will be conducted to identify cause of unemployment in Kogi State, to find out the impact of unemployment in Kogi State, also, analyzed strategies for employment generation in Kogi State. And the research work shall be aiming at proffering reliable solution to the problem of unemployment in Kogi State, the sample size of this research work shall consist of about 89 personnel’s but 80 will be given questionnaires to respond to these 80 personnel’s will be selected from the eight (8) department in the Ministry of Education being my case study. The instrument to be used in collecting data shall be self developed questionnaires. The data collection will be analyzed based on simple percentage of the responses and each respondents will be expecting to respond to each statement according to the five (5) responses categories strongly agreed (SA) agreed (A) undecided (U) strongly disagreed (SD) and disagreed(D). the result of the analysis show that government effort towards job creation is not encouraging. Base on finding, it will be recommended that all agencies at all levels of government should be involved in job creation. The government in collaboration with private sector should develop programmes to link education and training to employment youth empowerment being one of the transformation agenda of the governor, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada should be implemented for prosperous Kogi State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The term unemployment came to be known as far back as men realize that he cannot always produce all that he needs and therefore, most have to depend on others to satisfy his desires.

However, as human civilization progressed from one stage to another, the needs of individual also increased from one level to another.

Human history shows that human society has been witnessing transition from one socio-economic system to another such as feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communalism.

With the process of transition is in varying degree from one society to another, it is never absent in any society.

Any socio economic system being practiced any society has its own implications on employment. This is why most early writers on the concept of employment came from capitalist countries and their workers are dated back to industrial revolution period in the 17^th century.

Another prominent author that has done extensive work concerning employment is Keynes (1936). he was motivated to write as a result of world economic crisis of 1930’s i.e. economic depression which affected the capitalist countries greatly and resulted in alarming rate of unemployment.

His general theory of employment interest and money later came to be known as ‘’Keynesian Theory’’ which is still widely in use of till date.

In Kogi State, the history of employment as a public problem is dated back to the creation of the state but reach its peak after creation of the state as a result of hopes brought by creation of the state.

Contemporary writers in Kogi State pay little attention to issue of unemployment sine the discovery of cement in commercial quantity, the focus of Kogi State writers mischief as a result of cement discovery which has resulted to their write-up being focused to issues concerning cement such as derivation formula, cement spillage etc most employment generation policies adopted by Kogi State government are mare camouflage than plan with intent purpose to solve the problem on ground.

This is the reason for the failure of these policies and this is responsible for continuous increase in the unemployment rate in most Kogi cities like Dekina, Ankpa, Idah, Ofu etc. where the spill over effects in unemployment such as social vices (i.e. robbery attack, 419 activities, Yahoo boys and prostitution etc) and crimes are on the increases.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The lackadaisical attitude exhibited by the government towards the problem of unemployment has worsened the crime situation in Kogi State. As the effort of government is not encouraging in addition, the multiplier effects of unemployment can never be fully mentioned and explained in this research work as the list seems to be exhaustive. This is because problems are not being properly handled by government in Kogi State over the years. This research work hopes to bring out ways in which solution to this scourge of unemployment can help tremendously in solving the problems.

1.3  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Based on the major operational element of the study, the following questions will form the basis of the investigation.

1. What are the factors or causes of the rising level of unemployment in Kogi State?
2. What is the effect of unemployment in Kogi State
3. What strategies are currently being used by the state government to increased the level of employment and how effective are they?
4. What suitable strategies can the state government adopt to increase employment generation in Kogi State?

1.4  PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

In any research work, the setting out of clearly defined occupies a very crucial position; this work is not an exception. It is to

1. Indentify causes of unemployment in Kogi State
2. Find out the impact of unemployment in Kogi State
3. Analyze strategies for employment generation in Kogi State
4. Proffer viable solution to problems of unemployment in Kogi State.

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Identifying the strategies for job creation in Kogi State is very vital to the economic development of the state as a whole.

This research work will be of tremendous advantage to the teeming unemployed youth that are directly suffering from lack of unemployment opportunities in Kogi State, this is because the findings of this will direct and focus their attention to possible area of employment opportunities.

This research work is very significant because it would still be useful to other students in higher institution of teeming an those in business school in particular in the sense that it will serve as a point of reference to any students that may wish to write on related project topic in future. However, the findings of this research work will be of significance to those involved in employment generation. This is because the research work shall be bring to limelight both the problem of employment generation and their solutions.

Finally, the findings of this research work will also be important to the general public in the sense that it will help in reducing the problem of unemployment in general.

1.6  SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This research work covers strategies for employment generation in Kogi State. It is restricted to activities of state Ministry of Education, Lokoja and takes a look at the constraints encountered by the ministry in discharging this responsibility, how it has limited their performance and possible way out. The study will also cover at the causes, effects and solutions to the problems of unemployment in Kogi State between 2010 to date.

1.7  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This project work is limited to Kogi State Ministry of Education as the case study and it is hoped that findings of this project will be expanded to other institutions that are involved in employment generation in Kogi State. It is in line with this fact that a bid to achieving any task, one is bound to encounter some problems in stage on stage or the other, some of the constraints in this write up were never envisaged for and it was shocking and surprising to have ever experience such;

Some of the problems faced in the attempt to complete this study include finance, in this period of economic meltdown. The impact of financial constraints on a study of this magnitude can not be over emphasized. This is particularly so when one realize that the cost of transportation, writing materials.

Time constraints. That the researcher has to combine this study with her normal academic work, the gravity of time constraints on this work would be appreciated.

Another constraints is lack of up-to-date information, the researcher was not able to lay hands on materials that contained the current development on employment generation and questionnaire were not properly filled by the respondents despite the instruction given to them.

Despite the above mentioned constraints, the findings of the true picture of issues surrounding employment generation in Kogi State as a whole.

1.8  DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Some of the operational terms definitions are given below:

Labour: Labour as a factor of production refers to all forms of human efforts put into utilized in production. It also refers to man’s mental and physical exertion in the process of production.

Industrialization: Is the process of establishing or increasing productive activities, such as those engaged in extracting raw materials from nature, manufacturing or processing raw materials in finished or semi-finished goals, constructing or building capital projects and assembling some parts into whole products.

Productivity: Productivity is the result of the commitment and enhancement which the employee put towards production process which yield greater output for efficiency, effectiveness (Salami C.G. 2012).

ORGANIZATIONS OF STUDY

This research work is arranged into five chapters. Chapters one comprises of introduction, background of the study, statement of the problems as it relates to the research topic, objectives of the study which talks about the main aims the researcher intends to achieve in writing the project, significance of the study, definitions of terms and organizations of the study.

Chapter two of the research work focus mainly on literature review. The third chapter shall concentrate mainly on research methodology and design.

Chapter four focus on data presentation and analysis.

Chapter five is the last chapter which serves as the concluding part of the project with viable recommendations for further research.

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