ENEMS MICROSYSTEMS RESEARCH SPOT: Final Year Project

Showing posts with label Final Year Project. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 September 2023

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING SANITARY APPLIANCES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING SANITARY APPLIANCES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examines the multifaceted factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria. Sanitary appliances, including toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable components of campus infrastructure, essential for maintaining hygiene and creating a conducive learning environment. The state of these appliances can significantly impact the well-being of students, staff, and the broader academic community. The factors influencing the condition and functionality of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions are diverse and interrelated. Aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance practices, unreliable water supply, and poorly designed plumbing systems contribute to the deterioration of sanitary appliances. Challenges in waste management, insufficient sewage systems, and waste disposal practices can lead to blockages and environmental contamination. Additionally, the lack of awareness about proper hygiene and sanitation practices among users, coupled with budget constraints, further exacerbates these issues. Institutional management practices, such as facility management and budget allocation, play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Compliance with regulatory standards and codes is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of sanitary appliances. Environmental factors, including climate conditions, can impact the external components of these appliances. To address these issues effectively, Nigerian tertiary institutions must prioritize the maintenance and management of sanitary appliances. Adequate funding, efficient maintenance schedules, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about proper usage and hygiene practices are essential steps in mitigating these challenges. Community involvement and a sense of collective responsibility can foster a culture of care and respect for sanitary facilities. Technological advancements in sanitary appliance design and a commitment to environmental sustainability also offer opportunities for improvement. This research underscores the importance of addressing the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions to create a healthier and more conducive learning environment that promotes the well-being of all stakeholders. Ultimately, investing in the maintenance and improvement of sanitary appliances is an investment in the future of education and public health in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Sanitary appliance or systems are crucial infrastructure necessary for the social well-being and practical operation of an institution. The provision of public sanitary facilities has implications for public and individual health, transportation, crime preventions, urban design, economic and cultural development and social equity. Public Conveniences i.e. Toilets, Bathrooms, Urinals and Comfort rooms are provided largely in public places and institutions. These places include Markets, Motor Parks, Religious institutions, Mosques, Churches, Filling stations, Hospitals, Airports, Sporting grounds, Schools etc. The right of citizenship access to appropriate public toilets emerged in the west with the rise of modernity.

Prior to the period of enlightenment in Britain, urinating, and defecating was a public act, taking place not only in fields and gardens, but also in the streets. By the mid-19th century however, public toilets were built using the public purse to provide citizens the means to urinate or defecate in public while away from home. It is a long time however since Britain led the world with such public health foresight. In most African cities, public conveniences are lacking in terms of quality and quantity, thus residents and visitors are often left wondering where to “go”. There is therefore a real quality of life crisis looming for all of us – especially the young and older members of society. There is a real concern about both the quantity and quality of public conveniences provision in tertiary institution building in Nigeria with particular reference to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

Sanitary appliances, comprising toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable components of tertiary institution buildings. These facilities play a vital role in maintaining hygiene and sanitation within educational institutions, which are essential for fostering a conducive learning and living environment for students and staff. However, the effective functioning and longevity of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions have been a subject of concern, with several factors contributing to their performance and maintenance challenges.

Nigeria, a country characterized by a diverse landscape and varying socio-economic conditions, presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to the management of sanitary appliances in its tertiary institutions. This study aims to comprehensively assess these challenges, drawing attention to the factors that affect the condition and performance of sanitary appliances within this specific context.

The state of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions can be influenced by a range of interconnected factors, including the age and condition of buildings, the availability and quality of water supply, the design and maintenance of plumbing systems, waste management practices, hygiene and sanitation awareness, institutional management, environmental factors, socio-economic conditions, regulatory compliance, and user behavior. Understanding the complex interplay of these factors is essential for developing strategies to improve the state of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

As tertiary institutions in Nigeria strive to provide quality education and ensure the well-being of their students and staff, it is imperative to address the challenges associated with sanitary appliances. This study seeks to contribute valuable insights and recommendations to enhance the maintenance and management of sanitary facilities in tertiary institution buildings, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive educational environment.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Sanitary appliances, including toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable for maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation in tertiary institution buildings across Nigeria. These appliances are essential for creating a healthy and conducive learning and living environment for students and staff. However, despite their critical importance, there is a pressing need to address several significant problems and challenges associated with the state of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Inadequate Maintenance and Infrastructure Decay: Many tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria are aging, and the plumbing infrastructure, including sanitary appliances, has not received adequate maintenance or upgrades. This has resulted in a deteriorating state of these facilities, leading to frequent breakdowns, leaks, and malfunctions.

Water Supply Issues: Inconsistent and unreliable water supply is a common problem in Nigeria. The availability and quality of water can directly impact the functionality of sanitary appliances, as well as the overall hygiene and sanitation within these institutions.

Waste Management Challenges: Proper sewage systems and waste management practices are often lacking, which can lead to sewage backups, blockages, and environmental contamination, further affecting the performance and hygiene of sanitary appliances.

Hygiene and Health Risks: The deteriorating state of sanitary appliances poses significant hygiene and health risks to students, staff, and the larger institutional community. Poorly maintained or malfunctioning sanitary facilities can contribute to the spread of diseases and negatively impact the well-being of the academic community.

Financial Constraints: Tertiary institutions in Nigeria often face financial constraints, which may limit their ability to allocate adequate funds for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of sanitary appliances.

Lack of Awareness and Training: Insufficient awareness among students, staff, and maintenance personnel regarding proper usage and maintenance of sanitary appliances can exacerbate problems and lead to premature wear and tear.

Compliance with Regulations: Ensuring compliance with relevant building codes and regulations is a challenge that tertiary institutions must navigate to maintain and upgrade their sanitary facilities.

Climate and Environmental Factors: Nigeria’s diverse climate and environmental conditions can impact the performance and longevity of external components of sanitary appliances, such as pipes and outdoor facilities.

Addressing these problems is essential for creating a safe, healthy, and conducive learning environment within Nigerian tertiary institutions. This research project aims to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to these multifaceted challenges, ultimately contributing to the improvement of sanitary appliances and the overall well-being of the academic community. This statement of the problem provides a clear overview of the issues that the research project intends to investigate and offers a compelling rationale for conducting the assessment of factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

1.2 AIM

The aim of this project is to assess the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution building in Nigeria.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The aim would be achieved through the following objectives.

To review the concept of sanitary appliance
To identify the types of sanitary appliances in Tertiary institution building in Nigeria
Evaluation of available public sanitary facilities in Nasarawa main market.
To identify the factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigeria tertiary institution
To identify and recommend possible solutions to these problems.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of a research study on “An assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria” lies in its potential to bring about positive changes and improvements in various aspects of tertiary education and public health in Nigeria.

Improved Hygiene and Sanitation: The study addresses issues related to the maintenance and functionality of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions. By identifying and mitigating the factors affecting these facilities, the research can contribute to improved hygiene and sanitation practices, reducing the risk of diseases and promoting better health among students and staff.

Enhanced Learning Environment: A clean and sanitary learning environment is conducive to academic excellence. The study’s findings can lead to improvements in the physical conditions of tertiary institutions, creating a more comfortable and productive atmosphere for students and faculty.

Cost Savings: Effective maintenance and management of sanitary appliances can lead to cost savings for tertiary institutions. Identifying and addressing issues early can prevent major breakdowns and costly repairs, allowing institutions to allocate resources more efficiently.

Environmental Impact: Proper waste management and maintenance of sanitary appliances can have positive environmental implications. Reduced sewage leaks and better waste disposal practices can help protect the local ecosystem and water sources.

Public Health: Sanitary facilities play a crucial role in public health, and their proper maintenance is vital for disease prevention. The research can contribute to public health awareness and practices, benefiting not only the academic community but also the broader population.

Policy and Planning: The findings of the study can inform policymakers and educational authorities in Nigeria about the specific challenges faced by tertiary institutions regarding sanitary appliances. This information can guide the development of policies and strategies to address these challenges effectively.

Research Gap Filling: The study may fill gaps in existing research related to sanitary facilities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It can serve as a valuable resource for future researchers and policymakers looking to understand and address similar issues.

In summary, the significance of the study lies in its potential to address critical issues related to hygiene, sanitation, and infrastructure maintenance within Nigerian tertiary institutions. By identifying and addressing these factors, the research can contribute to healthier and more conducive learning environments, cost savings, and positive impacts on public health and the environment.

1.5 SCOPE

The scope of the study covers the assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution building in Nigeria with particular references to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Identifying and acknowledging the limitations of a research study is a critical aspect of research transparency and integrity. It helps to set realistic expectations for the scope and generalizability of the study’s findings. In the context of the project titled “An assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria,” here are some limitations experienced:

Sample Size and Selection Bias: The study’s findings may be limited by the sample size and selection process. If the sample is not representative of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria or is biased towards certain regions or types of institutions, the results may not be fully generalizable.

Data Availability: Data availability and accessibility can be a limitation. Some institutions may not have comprehensive records or may be unwilling to share data related to the maintenance and condition of sanitary appliances.

Data Accuracy: The accuracy of data collected from tertiary institutions and other sources may vary. Errors or inconsistencies in the data could impact the validity of the study’s findings.

Resource Constraints: The research project may be limited by budget and time constraints. These limitations could impact the depth and breadth of data collection, analysis, and the ability to conduct on-site assessments at a wide range of institutions.

It’s essential for the researchers to acknowledge these limitations upfront and discuss how they have mitigated or considered these issues in the study design and analysis. Additionally, highlighting the potential implications of these limitations on the study’s findings and conclusions is important for maintaining research integrity.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Defining key terms in a research study is essential to ensure that all readers have a clear understanding of the terminology used in the context of the study.

Sanitary Appliances: Sanitary appliances refer to fixtures and equipment within a building, such as toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, designed for personal hygiene and waste disposal.

Tertiary Institution: Tertiary institutions, also known as higher education institutions, include universities, colleges, and other educational establishments that offer post-secondary education, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Factors: Factors are elements or variables that influence a particular phenomenon or outcome. In the context of the study, factors refer to various aspects or conditions that impact the condition, functionality, and maintenance of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions.

Assessment: Assessment involves the process of evaluating or examining the current state or condition of something. In this study, it refers to the systematic evaluation of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings.

Maintenance: Maintenance refers to the activities and processes involved in preserving, repairing, or keeping sanitary appliances and related infrastructure in good working condition.

Infrastructure: Infrastructure encompasses the physical facilities, systems, and structures necessary for the operation of an organization or institution. In this study, it includes the plumbing systems, sewage systems, and related components that support sanitary appliances.

Water Supply: Water supply refers to the provision of clean and safe water for various uses, including drinking, cleaning, and flushing in tertiary institution buildings.

Waste Management: Waste management involves the proper handling, disposal, and treatment of waste materials, including sewage and wastewater, to minimize environmental and health hazards.

Hygiene: Hygiene refers to practices and behaviors that promote cleanliness and health, particularly in the context of personal and environmental cleanliness.

Socio-Economic Factors: Socio-economic factors include aspects related to the social and economic conditions within a given context. In this study, it may encompass issues such as funding, economic challenges, and community dynamics affecting sanitary appliance maintenance.

Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory compliance involves adhering to relevant laws, rules, and regulations governing building standards, sanitation, and safety.

User Behavior: User behavior refers to the actions and habits of individuals, including students, staff, and maintenance personnel, in their interactions with sanitary appliances and related facilities.

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors encompass conditions and elements in the natural environment that may affect sanitary appliances, such as climate, weather, and geographic location.

Institutional Management: Institutional management involves the administrative and organizational practices and policies employed by tertiary institutions to oversee facility management, including sanitary appliance maintenance.

Community Responsibility: Community responsibility refers to the collective sense of duty and accountability shared by the members of a tertiary institution’s community in ensuring the proper use and maintenance of sanitary appliances.

These definitions provide clarity regarding the terminology used in the research study and help ensure a common understanding among researchers, readers, and stakeholders involved in the assessment of factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institution buildings.

Saturday, 29 April 2023

IMPACT OF EMPLOYEES ATTITUDINAL & BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ON PERFORMANCE AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKER’S

IMPACT OF EMPLOYEES ATTITUDINAL & BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ON PERFORMANCE AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKER’S

ABSTRACT

This study set out to find out the impact of employees attitudinal and behavioral problems on performance among local government workers. It was guided by three research objectives as follows: To find out the relationship between employee attitudinal / behavioural problems and performance among Irepo Local Government workers; to establish the correlation between employee attitudinal / behavioral problems and service delivery in Irepo local government workers and to find out the relationship between employee attitudes and revenue collection in the local government . The study used a descriptive cross section research design which involved establishing the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The quantitative data was obtained using structured questionnaires from different categories of people such as respondents from the Irepo Local Government, while the qualitative data was obtained from key informants, interviews and observations. The study was based on a population of 600 individual members with more than half of’ it constituting women where a sample size of 100 was selected. Quantitative data from questionnaires were analysed by use of figures, and frequency tables. After the data was collected, hand written notes were assembled and typed into word processing program-MS word. The findings on the study revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between employee attitudes and productivity in Local Governments with(r = 0.723, sig. = 0,000). The result implies that as employees improve on attitudes towards work, their productivity in the local government will increase. Since the (sig. = 0.000 <0.005), this leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between employee attitudes and productivity in Local Governments. there is a Pearson Correlation coefficient of 0.851 between employee attitudes and Service delivery. This finding was subjected to verification to test the hypothesis; there is a significant relationship between employee attitudes and Service delivery. “by comparing the significance of the correlation (P.000) to the recommended significance of 0.05 and that employee attitudes have a strong and positive relationship with revenue collection in Irepo Local Governments (r 0.690, N 100, p < 0.05). This means that increased adherence to employee attitudes is expected to improve on revenue collection within Irepo Local Government. The study concluded that job satisfaction, performance, Involvement, staff commitment and Performance are associated and inter-related and together lead to the realization of organizational objectives. Some other factors which influence on the performance should be explored by further study. The study recommended that Performance standards should be established and communicated to the employees by the local government in Nigeria and Oyo state in particular. This will help employees to achieve the standards and perform well. Employees who are reaching standards and or above standard should be appreciated and rewarded, Fair pay, benefits, promotion opportunities and good supervision should be in the organization to satisfy the employees in order to enhance the performance, Good leadership styles as to fit for the organizational conditions may be satisfied the workers and Identifying weaknesses of employees may be the best one to improve the Worker’s performance because it indicates the area which training should be Provided.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

In this chapter, the researcher intends to explain the background of the study, statement of the problem, General objective, specific objectives of the study, research questions. Significance of the study, Scope of the study and definition of key terms. This is intended to give the reader a summary of the research issues and what surrounds them.

1.1 Background of the Study

In many organisations, it is expected that employees exhibit a wide range of work behaviours that would impact positively on organisational well-being and performance among workers. Yet, this is not always the case as some employees also have the tendency to indulge in attitude and work behaviours that are inimical to organisational interest and wellbeing. This type of workplace behaviours had at various times been described using terms such as workplace deviance, antisocial behaviour, organisational misbehaviour and dysfunctional behavior (Robinson and Bennett, 2016).

Employees have attitudes or viewpoints about several aspects of their jobs, their careers, and their organisation. Attitude describes an employee’s feelings toward his employer, co-workers, job, and position within the organisation. It is a psychological action expressed through evaluation of a particular entity, with some degree of disfavour or favour. In organisational settings, attitudes are essential for the achievement of goals and objectives. Employees’ behaviour at their workplaces often largely depends on their feelings about being there. Employees’ attitude basically involves characteristics such as having an interest in the job, having a positive, cheerful disposition, working without supervision, and willingness to contribute (Chatterjee & Kulakli, 2015).

Employees’ work-related attitudes can directly affect the atmosphere and significantly impact a workplace, including productivity levels and morale. It is essentially either negative or positive, depending on the degree of like or dislike for the matter in question. A positive attitude refers to having a positive mind-set and thinking about the greater good, irrespective of the situation on ground. Positive attitudes are excellent and contagious. Everyone feels like teammates, effort is collective, and everyone’s ideas are valued and welcomed. A positive attitude gives a feeling that everything is achievable. Colleagues support each other and work in tandem. Positive employees’ attitudes lead to numerous other positive outcomes, such as improved morale, willingness to be creative and attempt new things, willingness to share ideas and information, ability to overcome challenges, a greater probability of teamwork and collaboration, better customer service, low employees’ turnover and increased productivity.

Negative attitudes, however, are counter-productive and would always have a profound adverse impact on an organisation’s morale. These include dull performance, unwillingness to be a team player or collaborate, be creative and attempt new things, reduced energy levels, dismal outlook, depressed feelings, reduced quality of job output, low customer engagement, and difficulty overcoming obstacles. A negative attitude breeds contempt and creates a situation of low motivation to make an effort to achieve success, distrusts among teammates, and employees merely struggle to complete their work-hours rather than flourish, take the initiative, and succeed. All these will drag down the morale of co-workers and create stress for fellow workers (Ilahi & Masood, 2016).

Work-related attitudes include job satisfaction, job involvement, and employee commitment. Job satisfaction basically is the extent to which an individual is comfortable and pleased with their job. It is the pleasant emotional state arising from evaluating one’s job or job experiences; It is the positive (or negative) evaluative judgment an employee makes about their jobs or its situation (Mahdi, Sakat, Zin, Nor & Naim, 2017). It is the extent to which employees gain enjoyment from their efforts at the workplace. According to Ndulue and Chinonso (2016), it has two major components – intrinsic (that is, job satisfaction on features associated with the job itself) and extrinsic job (that is, job satisfaction on various features associated with the job environment).

Job involvement, on the other hand, is the measure of how much employees are psychologically engaged in their daily work. It is the extent that a person psychologically identifies himself with his job, participates actively, and considers his performance level significant to self-worth (Singh & Gupta, 2015). Job-involved employees usually believe in work ethics; they find work meaningful and challenging; they are willing to work long hours. They complete given tasks, work at complex tasks employing various skills, and attempt to be high performers (Pardeep & Kumar, 2017).

In this competitive world, the global landscape is changing; the current dynamics of the market, economic situations, and competition make companies radically change how business is being done. Organisations are restructuring to operate better; businesses are moving to explore new markets. Every organisation strives to achieve its competitive advantage by establishing a decent workplace environment so that human resources can improve jobs and organizational performances through new innovative ideas. Organisations must continually change to remain ahead of others, remain profitable, and relevant. The extent to which an organisation has been able to deliver benefits of businesses linked to the substantial portfolio investments depends primarily on its ability to manage the process of organisational change and carry along its employees with strategic initiatives in such a way to reflect that every employee is working together towards a common objective. The extent that an organisation can engage its employees, build an on-going and sound capacity to gain commitment of and engage employees optimally, to ensure profitable and timely delivery of service is the extent that the organisation is successful, would gain competitive advantage and be better than its competitions. It is against this backdrop, therefore, this current study examined the impact of employees attitudinal and behavioral problems on performance among local government workers.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria local governments in Nigeria have witness different attempt to improve on the capacity of their employee through staff training and development plan, in which career paths are designed to improve the attitudes and therefore performance of members of staff. Annually, staffs are invited for seminars, counselling sessions and other careers guidance efforts. Elected leaders are trained on their roles and responsibilities etc; all geared towards improving the employee attitudes to work, for better organisational performance. Nonetheless, this has not yielded positive results, for example, even after the training needs are met and sometimes sponsored by the district local government, employees opt for greener pasture elsewhere instead of bettering their work attitudes. This is an issue that requires to be investigated. It is due to the aforementioned that the researcher has decided to carry out an indepth investigation to establish the relationship between employee attitudes and organisational performance in Local Governments of Nigeria, a case study of Irepo Local Government and find out the solutions to those factors affecting employee attitudes and behavior in the organization.

1.3. Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to examine the impact of employees attitudinal and behavioral problems on performance among local government workers – a case study of Irepo local government area of Oyo state.

Specific Objectives

To find out the relationship between employee attitudinal / behavioural problems and performance among Irepo Local Government workers
To establish the correlation between employee attitudinal / behavioral problems and service delivery in Irepo local government workers
To find out the relationship between employee attitudes and revenue collection in the local government

1.4 Research Questions

What is the relationship between employee attitudinal / behavioural problems and performance among Irepo Local Government workers?
What is the correlation between employee attitudinal / behavioral problems and service delivery in Irepo local government workers
What is the relationship between employee attitudes and revenue collection in the local government

1.5 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will act as a baseline in the related interventions and for possible modifications in order to find relevant solutions to other specific interventions needed in improving employee attitudes and organizational overall performance.

The research findings will be useful to investigators in the field of Human Resource and they will refer to these findings in their researches.

The research will be of great importance to the government especially Local Governments and of Human Resource department.

The study shall also provide good lessons that can be used to improve the performance of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies both states and nationally level.

The research will be of advantage to the student in fulfilling the partial requirement for the award of the Degree in the field human resources development.

1.6 Scope of the Study

Content Scope

The study’s general interest was the examination of the impact of employee attitudinal and behavioural problems on performance among local government workers.

Geographical Scope

The study was carried out in Irepo Local Government of Oyo state, which keeps records in vouchers, ledgers and other transaction records. Personnel department which keeps Human Resource records as well as communication records were included in the study. This local government has been selected because many complaints have been raised about low turnover of workers, low employee morale, lack of commitment and low productivity of the employees.

Time Scope

The study based data covered on employee attitudinal and behavioral problems and its impact on performance among Irepo local government workers for the last 10 years and this from 2012-2022.

1.7 Limitations and delimitations of the study

The researcher faced a number of challenges in the due course of the research. First and foremost, time was not always on the side of the researchers. The research needs more time, However, the researcher had to employ research assistants to assist in the completion of the work on time.

Secondly, the researcher was limited by funds as there are a lot of costs to be met. In order to address this challenge the researcher had to borrow some money in order to complete the research activities.

During the research, there was also a challenge of uncooperative behavior of some respondents, unapproachable respondents and those who were reluctant to give in information. This was overcome through getting good relationships with the respondents so as to easily collaborate with them in filling up the questionnaires and some of them never trusted the researcher with confidential information.

1.8 Operational Definitions of Terms

Employee Behavior: The term employee behavior, refers to the way in which employees respond to specific circumstances or situations in the workplace.

Job satisfaction: An evaluative state that expresses contentment with and positive feelings about one’s job. The most-used research definition ofjob satisfaction is by Locke (2016). Who defined it as a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of ones job or job experiences.

Job attitudes: evaluation of one’s job that express one’s feelings towards beliefs about and attachment to one’s job.

Organizational commitment: An individual’s psychological bond with the organization. As represented by an affective attachment to the organization, a Feeling of loyalty toward it, and an intention to remain as part of it.

Attitude: A psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favour or disfavour (of which job attitudes are examples). ‘Despite the long history of research on attitudes, there is no universally agreed upon definition.” Perhaps the most widely accepted definition of an attitude, however, was provided by Eagly & Chaiken (2016).

Performance: A performance is an act of staging or presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment. It is also defined as the action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.

Monday, 24 April 2023

ANALYSIS OF REAL ESTATE RISK IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INVESTMENT IN ADO EKITI

ANALYSIS OF REAL ESTATE RISK IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INVESTMENT IN ADO EKITI

(A CASE STUDY OF FLORENCE COURT ESTATE)

ABSTRACT

This study analysis the real estate risk in residential property investment in Ado Ekiti with particular reference to Florence Court Estate. To achieve the stated aim above, the researcher identifies the types of residential real estate investment, identify the residential real estate investment risks, analyze the factors responsible for the identified risk and examine the challenges of residential real estate investment in Florence Court Estate. The researcher adopted survey design which offers the opportunity to gather relevant data from the population of interest which comprises of property developer, investors, landlords, tenants and estate agents or property agents in Florence Court Estate. The data gathered were presented and analyzed using the descriptive statistics. The findings of this study based on the data presentation and analysis shows that the real estate risk in residential property investment in Florence Court Estate are majorly as a result of lack of housing provision and financing in both the public and private real estate sector, change in government policies which makes the real estate sector prone to political uncertainty that can adversely affects real estate investments. Research also shows that lack or improper implementation of development control poses a great risk in residential property investments as the appropriate authority did not carry out their responsibility diligently in areas of zoning, approval of plans, provision of Certificate of Occupancy and other development control measures. Finally the study recommend that real estate investors should make preliminary investigation in residential real estate market in Florence Court Estate before venturing into investing their money so as to identify the risk inherent and try as much as possible to reduce it, property owners, investors and developers should ensure that they comply with the provisions of development control authority thereby reducing the risk of demolition, environmental degradation and natural disaster which arise from developing a property in a site which are prone to environmental risk and the government should make concerted effort towards reducing the stress and time of processing C of O so that investors can easily identify who the real owners of land are therefore reducing the risk associated with land acquisition.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Residential real estate investment, like life itself, comes with its own associated risks and these risks are events that could bring harm or loss to an investment. A risk is that probable event that could lead to depreciation of the value of property or outright loss of investment (Clayton, 2007). The existence of such factors should not discourage an investor from investing but rather use the knowledge of residential real estate risk analysis and management that the researcher is examining to help secure an investment. The primary residential risk in real estate investment in Nigeria is the possibility of falling into the hands of fraudsters. Fraudsters sometimes attempt to sell a property that does not belong to them. This is another source of issues for investors but could be eliminated by engaging the services of professionals to help investigate the title to the property that is being sought for purchase and to ensure that all the documents needed from the seller are prepared, signed and collected (Fisher, 2005).

Another possible residential real estate risk investors may face as a real estate investor in Nigeria is government or political risk. Because of the wide ranging power of the executive arm of government and fluidity of functions, the government could acquire private land but the land so acquired must be for public purposes. Unfortunately, there are several instances where government had acquired private land for “public purposes” and “development control” only to turn around and allocate to other individuals to use for their own private projects. Some have experienced their Certificate of Occupancy revoked by a new government due to the fact that the owner does not belong to the same political party. This kind of policy inconsistency is a major discouragement to investors. They should be that as it may, whenever investors are planning to purchase a land in an area, engage professionals (e.g. Estate Surveyors and valuers) to confirm whether or not the land is under acquisition by government or could not be sold (Black, 1986).

At other times, after government had acquired family lands and compensated the appropriate families, some of the traditional land owners still go ahead to sell portions of those lands to the unsuspecting public. Many people purchase such lands and begin to build without government building approvals. The implication of this, as many have painfully learnt, is that when government decides to take possession and pull down the structures on such lands, such a purchaser will not be compensated by government. It is also important to note that some areas have already been acquired or building developments in such areas already restricted (Syz, 2008). For instance, land under the power cables should not be built upon. Many are flaunting this law but should the government decide to enforce such regulations, several people would be affected.

There are also financial risks involved in residential real estate investment. If an investor decides to use a bank loan to buy a property, there is need for the awareness that what we call mortgages in Nigeria, is technically a residential loan. Ideally, a real estate/home loan should be a single-digit interest loan, but what Nigeria currently have are double – digit residential loans. Although, the government established a National Housing Fund (NHF) single-digit-interest loan that could advance a contributor up to N25m, many have not been able to access the loan due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and red tape. Some who have accessed the loan have had to apply for a bridging loan at residential double-digit interest rates in order not to miss their desirable property.

Despite its inherent risks, residential real estate presents a compelling opportunity for investors. Not only does the sector provide many long-term investment benefits, including healthy income returns and a hedge against inflation, but fundamental factors such as the improvement of the risk/return characteristics of the overall mixed asset portfolio. The case for investing in residential real estate looks particularly attractive when viewed in the context of the current market environment, although it is not without risk. Perhaps the most obvious reasons why residential real estate merits inclusion in a management portfolio are derived from both cyclical and noncyclical factors – specifically, the favorable long term outlook for real estate demand, from both users and investors, property cash flows and real estate’s potential inflation hedging characteristics. The liquidity of residential real estate provides investors the most efficient means to obtain exposure to property markets globally. The ability to trade daily not only provides a useful tool for investors to create tactical allocations to the sector and global regions, but it also provides a means to efficiently re-balance allocations as market conditions change.

1.2 Statement of Problem

It is very important for investors in residential real estate to first ascertain the risk factors of an investment asset before committing investment funds to such investment. Investors’ informed decisions with respect to the risk and develop strategies of real estate investments in order to ensure profitability. Residential real estate investment is usually rental properties intended to generate a return from rental income or capital appreciation. Investments in these real estate assets are associated with multiple risk complexities which includes: investment illiquidity, asset value volatility, asset valuation inaccuracies, leverage-amplifying negative performance during falling markets, limited/ imperfect benchmarks to gauge closed-end fund performance, combination of a large lot size (capital intensive investments) and high transaction costs. However, the researcher will provide an overview of residential real estate risks in Ado Ekiti.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to analyze the real estate risk in residential property investment in Ado Ekiti – A case study of Florence Court Estate.

To achieve the stated aim above, the following objectives are pursued:

To identify the types of residential real estate investment in the study area
To identify the residential real estate investment risks in Florence Court Estate
To analyze the factors responsible for the identified risk.
To examine the challenges of residential real estate investment in Florence Court Estate

1.4 Research Questions

The researcher deem fit to find answers to the following research questions to enable him achieve the desired aim of this research:

What are the types of residential real estate investments in Florence Court Estate?
What are some of the risk investors may face in residential real estate investment in Florence Court Estate?
What are the challenges of residential real estate investment in Florence Court Estate?
What are the causes of the identified risk in residential real estate investment?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The finding of this study will be of benefit to the following groups; firstly, investors who bear the cost of property development, secondly, the tenants and thirdly, real estate firms who are involved in the management of properties. This will again enable the investors to understand the trends of property investment as it relates to its cost in the face of risk. The research will also be of great importance to students and researchers who are interested in studying the real estate investment risk on residential properties.

The government and the financial sectors regulators (CBN) will find this research useful as it highlights the risk of residential real estate investment /development and provision of sustainable housing for her teaming citizens.

1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study helps to analyze the risk of residential real estate investment in Florence Court Estate.

Some factors militated against the success of this work, though the researcher endeavored to accommodate them. Thus, some of the constraints inherent in the course of carrying out the research include, among others, the peculiar nature of real property market. It is not like commercial markets where one can easily come face to face with both the buyers and sellers to get information he wants. In real property market, information is not easily circulated among Estate Surveyors. Vital information required by the researcher from some respondent Estate Surveyors were not collected due to pressure of work and other commitments facing them during the time the researcher required those information.

1.7 Definition Of Operational Terms

Market analysis: The market analysis is activity of gathering information about conditions that affect a market. A market analysis studies the attractiveness and the dynamics of a specific market within a special industry.

Development risk: Development risk is defined as the risk that the leasing or sale of the project will generate insufficient returns to cover cost and create the desired return due to a lack of sales or inadequately meeting the needs of the market in terms of type and location. The more unusual a particular type of project is for the developer, the higher the chance that the developer will misread the market and the higher the development risk. (DICKINSON, 2001)

Building site risk: This is the risk that the selected site is unsuitable, or needs to be modified at cost to become suitable, for the intended use due to environmental issues (such as contamination) or its natural characteristics (stability, water levels, subsidence etc.) (DICKINSON, 2001)

Risk Management: Risk management as a systematic and integrated approach to the management of the total risk that a company faces risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling threats to an organization’s risk. (DICKINSON, 2001)

Market Value: This is the worth of an interest in property in which measurable buyers and sellers would agree to, when referred to market with existence of condition for comparative market application. Market value can also be defined as the higher price in terms of money which a property should bring in comparative or open market under all condition requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently, knowledge and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. (Wendth and Paul, 1979)

Value: This is the monetary worth of a thing that is expressed as the value of the goods or services measured by the amount of other goods and services for which it will be exchange. (Wendth and Paul, 1979)

Residential Properties: Residential properties are those properties that are occupied for the purpose of providing shelter to the occupants and serves as a habitation for them. Residential properties are properties providing housing accommodation, (Leramo,1992) Residential properties are generally constructed to mean property primarily acquired for residence and its attributed to giving shelter, security, comfort, privacy, investment, and personal identify, (Malady and O’ Donneland, 1994).

Property: Legally there are two types of property. They are real property which is land and buildings and personal property that is all kinds of personal possession. In economic the term property means anything that yield interest or income to the owner,

The terms property is defined as the bundle of right invested in a persons or a cooperate bodies over a specific parcel of land, buildings object, e.t.c in the relation to other persons which gives right to use and enjoy and control on the land.

1.8 Types of Residential Properties in Florence Court Estate

The followings are some of the residential real estate investments in the studied area:

1. Apartment or Flat – An individual unit in a multi-unit building. The boundaries of the apartment are generally defined by a perimeter of locked or lockable doors.

2. Multi-family house – Often seen in multi-story detached buildings, where each floor is a separate apartment or unit.

3. Terraced house or townhouse– A number of single or multi-unit buildings in a continuous row with shared walls and no intervening space.

4. Condominium – A building or complex, similar to apartments, owned by individuals. Common grounds and common areas within the complex are owned and shared jointly.

5. Cooperative – A type of multiple ownership in which the residents of a multi-unit housing complex own shares in the cooperative corporation that owns the property, giving each resident the right to occupy a specific apartment or unit.

6. Semi-detached dwellings

7. Duplex – Two units with one shared wall.

8. Detached dwellings

9. Tents – Usually temporary, with roof and walls consisting only of fabric-like material.

Friday, 14 April 2023

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE SEED AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE POD OF JATROPHA CURCAS (PHYSIC NUT)

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE SEED AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE POD OF JATROPHA CURCAS (PHYSIC NUT)

ABSTRACT

Jatropha curcas is an ornamental plant and is also employed to cure various infections in traditional medicine. The proximate analysis of J. curcas seed was examined using method described by the Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC, 2005). The aqueous extract of J. curcas pod was subjected to phytochemical screening for the presence of seven selected secondary metabolites (Treanse and Evans 2000, Sofowora 2003). The result of the proximate composition was shown to be Moisture 6%, Ash 4%, Fibre 10%, Fat 36%, Protein 27.2% and Carbohydrate 16.8% respectively. The phytochemical screening of the cold aqueous extract of the pod revealed the presence of Saponin, Tannin, Resin, Flavonoid and phenol but the absence of Alkaloids and amino acid. The proximate analysis shows that the seed is rich in Fat and protein. These results suggest that the seed oil can be used industrially to produce biodiesel. The phytochemicals present shows that this plant can be used for treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, rheumatism, malaria, muscular pain and for sores on domestic livestock (Reddy et al., 2012).

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Jatropha curcas belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is closely related to other important cultivated plants like rubber tree and castor oil etc. common names in English includes physic nut, Barbados nut, poison nut, bubble bush or purging nut. J. curcas is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 6m or more. The fruit have an “American Football” type of shape of about 40mm length and contains 3 seeds (on average), which look like black beans with similar dimensions, of about 18mm long and 10mm wide. Normally, five roots are formed from seeds: one tap root and 4 lateral roots and cuttings do not develop a taproot only the laterals (Heller, 1996). The branches contain whitish latex, which causes brown stains that are difficult to remove. The plant is monoecious, occasionally hermaphrodite flowers occur (Dehgan and Webster, 1979). The seed coats constitute about 35-40% of the total seeds.Because of its indispensable benefits to mankind it was classified among the first plant in 1753 with a Botanical name “Jatropha” from a Greek word Jatro “meaning Doctor” and pha “meaning nutrition”. The plant is believed to be an origin of South America and Africa but later spread to other continents of the world by the Portuguese settlers (Gubitz, et al:, 1999). It is a vigorous drought and pest-tolerant plant that can grow on barren and eroded lands under harsh climatic conditions. It is easily established and grows very quickly. The life-span of Jatropha may fall between 35-50 years depending on the climatic conditions (Singh, et al., 2008) It is an ornamental plant naturalized in many tropical areas. The roots, stems, leaves seeds and fruits of the plant have been widely used in traditional folk medicine in many parts of West Africa.J. curcas has gained a world reputation as a plant that can be grown in wasteland and infertile land, which does not require much water, fertilizer and management, and has high oil yield (Chitra et al., 2005).

The seeds of J. curcashave been used as a purgative, antihelminthic and abortifacient as well as for treating ascites, gout, paralysis and skin diseases. The seed oil of the plant has been used as an ingredient in the treatment of rheumatic conditions, itch and parasitic skin diseases, and in the treatment of fever, jaundice and gonorrhea, as a diuretic agent, and a mouth-wash. The leaf has been used as a haemostatic agent and the bark as a fish poison. In certain African countries people are accustomed to chewing these seeds when in need of a laxative. Jatropha curcasseeds have been found to be highly effective against Strongyloides papillosus infection in goats. It has also been suggested that J. curcasseeds could be a useful chemotherapeutic agent provided that it agent is active at a non-lethal dose (Grainage and Ahmed, 1988). This may be because of its reported antihelminthic activity (Mok, 1991).

Several investigators have therefore developed interest in under-utilized oil seeds as an alternative source of food and energy. In Nigeria, there exists a wide variety of oil crops ranging from the largely known and highly-utilized to under-utilized seed oils. One of such under-utilized seed is the J. curcas seed and its oil. (Oseni and Akindahunsi, 2011). All parts of Jatropha (seeds, leaves, bark, etc) have been used in traditional medicine and for veterinary purposes for a long time (Dalziel, 1955). Extensive public interest and expansion in the use of herbal medicine have led to new emphasis and drive in medical plant research. The research approaches taken recently include activities to develop herbal medicines into quality, efficacious and safe products for human consumption. This can be an advantagefor J. curcas to expand its potential as herbal medicines to cure many illnesses and diseases. The cure for these illnesses and diseases lies in the chemical compositions isolated from different parts of the plant.

Aim and Objectives

Aim

The aim of this study is to carry out the proximate analysis of the seed and phytochemical screening of the pod of Jatropha curcas (physic nut).

Objectives

To determine the moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude protein, fat and carbohydrate content of the seed.
To ascertain the presence of alkaloid, tannin, saponin, flavonoid, resins, phenol and amino acids by utilizing standard conventional protocols.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is reported that the seed is used for the treatment of arthritis, gout and jaundice (Khafagy et al., 1977). The seed of this plant has also been used traditionally for the treatment of many ailments including burns, convulsions, fever and inflammation (Osoniyi and Onajobi, 2003). Jatropha adapts well to marginal lands as well as live fence, as farm animals do not browse it. The crop can easily be raised without any difficulty; the rural women can be engaged in all kinds of activities like raising seedlings, collection of seeds, de-shelling, etc. The large scale cultivation of J. curcason waste lands with poor soils and low rainfall in drought prone areas could provide regular employment and could improve their living conditions by providing additional income. Jatropha is not an alternative to agriculture or plantation but it is a new addition to it.

1.3 Justification

Many investigations have been done on the composition and content of the Jatropha seeds. The plant and its seeds are toxic to animals and humans and are therefore used worldwide as hedges to protect agricultural fields. Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, cultivation of jatropha appears viable. Today there is considerable interest among biochemist and botanists to screen plants for secondary chemical compounds, which could be used for developing medicals and pesticides, particularly in the tropical rain forests where plant species are numerous but threatened with extinction (Downum et al., 1993).

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE CATALYTIC FUNCTION OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA IN MILK FOR CHEESE PRODUCTION

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE CATALYTIC FUNCTION OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA IN MILK FOR CHEESE PRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Milk coagulation is the main step for producing cheese, and coagulating enzymes, which are preparations of Proteolytic enzymes, have been used in cheese making for thousands of years, and they seem to be the oldest known application of enzymes. The earliest indication of cheese making descends from cave paintings around 5000 BC (Harboe et al. 2010).

Historically, most enzyme preparations used for cheese have been extracts from the stomachs of ruminants, but coagulants from microbes and plants were also used at very early dates (Harboe et al. 2010; Jacob et al. 2011).

Ruminant stomach especially that of the calf is the source of rennet. It contains chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) as the main enzyme component and has been the most widely used in cheese making. The cheese production increased by a factor of approximately 3.5 since 1961 but the rennet supply decreased due to the limited availability of ruminant stomachs (Jacob et al. 2011).

Various factors such as high price of rennet, religious concerns (e.g., Islam and Judaism), diet (vegetarianism) or ban on recombinant calf rennet (in France, Germany and The Netherlands) have encouraged the search for alternative milk-clotting sources (Roseiro et al. 2011).

This research will directed towards discovering milk-clotting enzymes from calotropis procera and knowing the effect of temperature of different coagulation of milk which would satisfactory replace calf rennet in cheese making, including microbial, recombinant, and plant-based enzymes (Jacobet al. 2011).

The most important substitutes which fulfill the requirements of cheese manufacture include microbial, recombinant, and plant-based enzymes which have been isolated and studied. Rennet substitutes produced by microorganisms and genetically engineered microorganisms have proven to be suitable substitutes for animal rennet, but increasing interest has been directed toward vegetable coagulants i.e., the milk-clotting enzymes extracted from plants. According to Tamer and Mavituna (1997), these enzymes are present in almost all kinds of plant tissues and it appears to be a general rule that all proteolytic enzymesbhave the ability to clot milk under appropriate conditions. Almost all the enzymes usedbas milk coagulants belong to aspartic proteases, but enzymes from other groups such as cysteine and serine proteases have also been used.

Plant extracts have been used as milk coagulants in cheese making since ancient times. Cheeses made with vegetable coagulant can be found mainly in Mediterranean, West African, and southern European countries. Spain and Portugal have the largest variety and production of cheeses using Cynara sp. as the vegetable coagulant (Roseiro et al. 2003).

The extracts of Cynara spp. have been used in the making of Portuguese Serra and Serpa cheeses (Macedo et al. 1993) and Spanish Los Pedroches, La Serena (Roa et al. 1999) and Torta del Casar cheeses (from ewes’ milk) as well as Los Ibores cheese (from goats’ milk) and Flor de Guía cheese (from a mixture of ewes’ and cows’ milk) (Fernández-Salguero et al. 1991; Fernández-Salguero 1999; Sanjuán et al. 2002).

In West African countries like Nigeria and the republic of Benin, extracts from Calotropis Procera (Sodom apple) have been used in traditional cheese making (Roseiro et al. 2003).

However, the excessive proteolytic nature of most vegetable coagulants has limited their use in cheese manufacturing due to lower cheese yield and defects in flavor and texture (Lo Piero et al. 2002).

Therefore, the search for new potential milk-clotting enzymes from plants is in continuous process, so as to make them industrially useful and go with the increasing global demand for diversified and high quality cheese production (Hashim et al. 2011).

Several studies have been performed using plant-derived enzymes for cheese making. Sousa and Malcata (2002) reviewed the role of plant coagulant (Cynara cardunculus) in vitro and during ripening of cheeses from several milk species, while as Roseiro et al. (2003) reviewed the use of plant extracts with special reference to Cynara species. Jacob et al. (2011) reviewed the important types of milk-clotting enzymes including animal rennet, microbial coagulants, recombinant coagulants, and plant-derived clotting enzymes. Yegin and Dekker (2013) have recently reviewed the progress in the field of aspartic proteinases from animal, plant and microbial origin with a special emphasis on 6 M.A. Shah et al. structures, functions, catalytic mechanism, inhibition and engineering. The objective of this review is to summarize the latest research findings on plant-derived clotting enzymes with special emphasis on enzyme chemistry, production and techno-functional properties.

Calotropis Procera is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae that is native to North Africa, Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia, and Indochina. The green globes are hollow but the flesh contains a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into a gluey coating resistant to soap.

Common names for the plant include apple of Sodom, Sodom apple, stabragh, king’s crown, rubber bush, and rubber tree. The name apple of Sodom derives from the Hebrew Tapuah Sodom.

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Many scientist have researched on how to develop coagulation of milk through speeding up the rate of reaction because the enzymes used then was very expensive and difficult to get and it was gotten from rennin calf of animals that is why scientist felt that there is a strong need to find a cheap safe and more easily available milk coagulant that could speed up the rate of chemical reaction in the production of cheese called Calotropis Procera it is a flowering green plant that the flesh contain a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into a gluey coating resistant. The research work on Calotropis Procera regarding its multifunctional use in human medicine and special emphasis is given to the milk coagulating properties it has in the coagulation of milk and with the view to know at what temperature the coagulation of milk using the plant enzyme will coagulate.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of temperature on the catalytic function of Calotropis Procera in milk for cheese production.

13.1 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are:

To carry out the coagulation of milk using Calotropis Procera extract and Lactic Acid bacteria.
To investigate the effect of temperature on the properties of cheese
Compare the properties of cheese obtained using Calotropis Procera and Lactic Acid bacteria
To determine some physical parameters and metals on the produced cheese.

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

CONSTRUCTION OF METAL MAIZE CRIB

CONSTRUCTION OF METAL MAIZE CRIB

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to construct and evaluate the performance of maize crib for storage of freshly harvested maize (Zea mays). A crib with crib with 3.048m× 2.134m× 2.74mas the length, width and height respectively was constructed and evaluated using appropriate design procedures at the department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The roof of the crib is made of corrugated roofing sheet. The crib was raised at 50 mm above the ground surface and wire netted against rodents. It has one door for loading and off-loading of grains. And also has rodents guard on each leg which helps to prevent rodent and crawling insects from climbing the structure. The metal maize crib that was constructed has the capacity to carry 5,000kg of grains.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Maize Crop

Maize is a cereal plant also called Indian corn of the grass family “Poaceae” and its edible grain. The domesticated crop originated from America and is one of the most widely distributed of the world’s food crop. Maize is used as livestock feed, as human food, as bio-fuel, and as raw material in industries. (Marco, 2016).

The corn plant is a tall annual grass with a stout, erect, solid stem. The large narrow eaves have wavy margins and are spaced alternately on opposite side of the stern. Staminate (male) flowers are borne on the tassel terminating the main axis of the stern, the pistillate (female) inflorescence, which mature to become the edible ears, are pikes with a thickened axis, bearing paired spikelet’s in longitudinal rows, each row of paired spiklet’s normally produce how rows of grains variety of white and yellow maize are the most popular food, through there are varieties with red, blue, pink and black kernels, often banded, spotted or striped.

In recent years, however, the grain storage problems are changed (and in some cases, temporarily worsened) as steps towards full development have been taken, for example now there are new seed varieties which grow faster and yield more grain. Farmers plant these new seed and these new grains are ready for harvesting earlier than it is used maize.

The grain is ready to be harvested during the raining season. The farmer has always dried his crop in the sun, but there may be little sun drying this season. Also, it is likely these new variety of grain must not be left to dry in the field.

If this grain dries too long in the field it would shatter (break) but if the famer bring the grains from the field and stores it before bringing the moisture content of the grain down to 13% or lower, the grain will not (Peace crop, 1971).

Storage structure such as crib should be encouraged where these exist traditionally, the incorporation of improvement principally to control insect and prevent access by rodent. In areas where no outdoor traditional storage of maize combs taken place, it is likely that the climate is too humid for crib storage and artificial drying will be necessary. This applies where storage is traditionally in the home drying depending on heat /smoke from domestic fires. In a circumstance, traditional storage capacity cannot readily be increasing.

1.2 Background of the Study

Every year, millions tons of grains losses are caused due to improper storage conditions. Factors like humidity, heat pest and aeration which are effective on storage conditions affect the quality and quantity of grains and shorten the storage period. In this aspect, proper storage practices are among the most important element in food supply chain of grain which is significant nutritional source.

Farmers all over the world loose much of their grain after it is harvested to insects, rats and other micro-organisms, as well as man leading to loss of initial investment.

The traditional grain storage structures in different parts of the country are construction of wide varieties of locally available materials. Most traditional storage structure are not suitable for storage of grains for long period. Therefore, there was need for improvement of the local maize crib in the country to prevent food losses.

Corn cribs were first used by Native Americans and were quickly adopted by European settlers. Struggling settlers often raided corn cribs for food. As a result at least some Native groups abandoned the corn crib and buried food in caches (Bruce, 1999). The cribs sometimes have a roof and are elevated to keep the maize out of the weather and to prevent rodent’s infestation. Early maize cribs were constructed of wood in a square or rectangular shape, often with sides that angled outward at the top.

Today maize cribs are constructed of wood, concrete, metals and a variety of other materials. The basic corn crib consists of a roofed bin elevated on posts. Another typical early American design has walls slanted outward. Most of the larger designs have an open space in the middle for accessing corn and promoting airflow. The larger design, this space was often used to store wagons. By the early 20th century, the term “corn crib” was applied to large barns that contained many individual bins of corn (Indiana Department of Natural Resources).

Today a typical corn crib on many farms is a cylindrical cage of galvanized wire fencing covered by a metal roof formed of corrugated galvanized iron often in round cylinders or silos they are made in a wide range of sizes, with small cribs accommodating a small farm or ranch need and large cribs being used at co-ops and grain companies’ storage locations. These cribs are usually large barns containing many storage bins of maize.

They usually provide some sort of natural or mechanical ventilation system or dryers that allow the maize coin to dray quickly, to preventing moisture level not more than 30% and also prevent the growth of harmful micro-organisms while they date back hundreds of years, maize cribs continue to be important to the Agricultural industry, and will continue to be a need for newer and larger structures.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

In humid countries were grains cannot he dried adequately prior storage and needs kept well ventilated during the storage period, cribs arc usually constructed of available materials.

Under prevailing climatic conditions most plants rot quickly and most cribs have to be replaced every two or three years. Over the years there has been need for the proper storage of grains (Maize) but as a result of little or no knowledge about how to store, when to store, where to store farmers have loss 70% of their grains.

Nowadays present farming and technology has greatly improved the lifespan of various farm products with the help of Agricultural engineers in production of machineries and storage facilities e.g. cribs for storage of maize, silo, rhombus, slabs, etc.

The conditions to be considered for grain storage are:

Moisture content of grains.
Temperature of grains.
Oxygen supply to the storage environment.
The structure should be elevated and away from moist places in the house
Rodent-proof materials should be used for construction of rural storages.
The area surrounding the structure should he clean to minimize insect breeding

These are put into consideration before storing any product e.g. maize, (FAQ, 2017). It has also been observed that rodents find it appealing to penetrate or invade the crib and destroy maize.

1.4 Objective of the Study

The objectives of this study include the following

To design a crib that will improve storage performance.
To prevent rodent and insect’s infestation in the grain.
To design a crib that will prevent water inform of rainfall from getting into the maize crib.
To design a crib that will have a rodent baffle so as to prevent rodents from getting into the crib.