Welcome to FUTOSpace
FUTOSpace is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri open-access repository that collects, preserves and make available in digital format the intellectual output of the university's community:
Communities in FUTOSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- This community features addresses and speeches delivered by the University management and other official visitors to FUTO
- A community of media or content used to convey information about an event organized at the university
- This community features books, book chapters and books published by faculty members in the university
- This Community features the proceedings of conferences, seminars and workshops hosted by the FUTO or other bodies but had staff from FUTO attending and making presentations
- This community features research articles from FUTO staff published in journals hosted by FUTO
- A community of series of scholarly public lectures designed to commemorate a faculty member's appointment to a professorship
- Scholarly resources with relevant discussion points for use by faculty as teaching lectures, student reading content, and study guides
- A community of printed document containing information about activities in FUTO
- A community of series of lectures aimed at educating FUTO staff and the public about a specific area of study
- A community of question(s) administered to FUTO students in an examination
- Published Research Outputs
- Theses and dissertations by students and staff from all the Schools in FUTO
Recent Submissions
Classification of soils on slopes of varying orientations in Umuahia area of Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2018-10) Aliba, Vero O.
Slope aspect affects soil properties. The study characterized and classified soils on slopes of varying orientations in Umudike (East-lying Topo sequence) and Itu (West-lying Topo sequence), both in Olokoro Umuahia, southeastern Nigeria. Transect soil sampling technique was employed in locating three distinct positions, namely summit, midslope and foot slope along each of the topo sequences at the East and West-lying orientations. A profile pit was dug at the most representative points of the topo sequences in each of the two locations and the soil profiles were described in situ, following the FAO guidelines. Soil samples were collected from each pedon based on the horizon differentiations and subjected to routine laboratory analyses. The soils were classified using the USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated with the FAO World Reference Base. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis (coefficient of variability and correlation) using the Genstat computer package. Results showed that soils of the East-lying slope were edominantly sandy-clay loam at the summit but sandy clay at the mid and foot slopes, while in the West-lying slope, the texture was dominantly sandy-clay loam at both the summit and mid slope but prominently sandy loam at the foot slope. Soils of East-lying slope had very dark grayish brown (10YR3/2) moist to strong brown (7.5YR5/8)moist, dark brown (7.5R3/2) to strong brown (7.5YR5/8) moist, dark gray (5YR4/1) to reddish yellow(7.5R6/8) moist colours at the summit, mid slope and foot slope respectively, while that of the West-lying topo sequence varied from brown (7.5YR4/2) moist to yellowish colour (5YR5/6), very dark grey (7.5YR3/1) moist to yellowish red (5YR5/8),very dark grayish brown (10YR3/2) moist to reddish yellow (5YR6/6) moist colours at the summit, midslope and foot slope, respectively. The weathering intensity of the soils varied from moderate to high with silt-clay ratios ranging from 0.04-0.93, 0.04-1.26 and 0.04-0.66 at the summit, mid slope and foot slope respectively, in the East-lying topo sequence and from 0.04-070, 0.27-1.59 and 0.14-1.08 at the summit, mid slope and foot slope respectively, i n the West-lying topo sequence. Bulk densities of soils increased with depth with mean values of 1.36 gcm-3, 1.32 g cm-3, and 1.34 g cm-3 recorded at the summit, slope and foot slope respectively, in the East-lying topo sequence and 1.37 g cm-3 , 1.33 g cm 3 and 1.32 g cm-3 at the summit, mid slope and foot slope respectively, in the West lying
topo sequence. High variation (CV>35%) was noted in Ksat in the profiles of the top sequence, with values of Ksat ranging from 0.3-1.11 cm hr-1, 0.19-1.96 cm hr-1and 0.15-1.47 cm hr-1 at the summit, midslope and foot slope, respectively in the West-lying topo sequence whereas in the xiast-lying topo sequence, the values ranged from 0.18-2 cm hr-1
, 0.11-1.97 cm hr-1and 0.12-1.48 hr-1 at the summit, mid slope and foot slope, respectively. Soil pH was very strongly acidic (4.58-4.78) in the East-lying topo sequence but varied from very strongly acidic to strongly acidic (4.52-5.30), in the west lying topo sequence. Organic matter concentration was generally higher at the epipedons and ranged from (26.44to 23.36) gkg-1 and (30.64to 18.9) gkg-1 in soils of the East-lying and West-lying slopes, respectively. Effective cation exchange capacity varied from
(8.63- 13.79) cmolkg-1 in the East-lying topo sequence and (10.42- 16.31) cmolkg-1 in the West –lying topo sequence. Soils of East-lying topo sequence were classified as Grossarenic Paleudalfs, Typic Paleudalfs and Arenic Hapludalfs Typic (USDA) at the summit, midslope and footslope, respectively and correlated with Mollic Luvisols of the World Reference Base (WRB) whereas the soils of West-lying slope were classified as Arenic Glossudalfs, Typic Paleudalfs and Typic Ferrudalfs (USDA) at the summit, midslope and footslope, respectively which correlate to Haplic Albeluvisols of the WRB (FAO) legend
Factors affecting quality assurance of road construction project delivery in South-Eastern Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-02) Ajoku, Chidiebere Onu Chisomaga
This study focused on factors affecting quality assurance in road construction projects in South-eastern Nigeria. The objectives are to ascertain whether there is any significant deviation between actual quality of road construction projects and quality plan, to identify and analyze the collective and individual effects of the factors affecting of quality assurance in the construction of road projects, to determine the extent to which actual quality assurance of road construction projects correlate with economic development. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Multiple Regression and Correlation analytical techniques were used to analyze the data collected from 223 respondents through questionnaire administration. The ANOVA result show that there is a significant deviation between the actual quality of road projects and quality plan. The multiple regression result show that political interference is the most significant factor that negatively affect quality assurance in delivery of road projects in Imo State. Contractors’ attitude towards quality standard and bad climatic conditions were not significant factors. However, the correlation analysis shows high level of association between road projects and economic development. Based on this, the study recommends positive political interference geared towards ensuring honesty and transparency in contract awards, proper funding of road projects and policy formulation that will criminalize poor quality performance of projects, especially road construction.
Effect of project managers' leadership skills and styles of construction project performance
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-05) Ahaneku, Chiamaka
This study investigated effect of project managers’ leadership skills and styles on the performance of construction projects in Imo State. The objective was to identify and evaluate the leadership skills and styles that affected the performance of the construction projects in the state with a view to examining their level of significance so as to make a meaningful decision. Primary and secondary data were gathered for the study. Primary data was collected from stakeholders in the construction subsector through the use of a well-structured questionnaire while secondary data were collected from projects files, internet and the library. 225 copies of questionnaire were distributed, where 144 copies were returned and subsequently used for analysis. Regression analysis, Relative Importance Index and correlation analysis were carried out on the data. Upon the analysis, the study revealed that transformational leadership style had the most significant effect with a regression coefficient of 0.775 on the performance of those projects evaluated in our study. This was closely followed by participative leadership with regression coefficient of 0.735 and transactional leadership with regression coefficient of 0.654 respectively. Similarly, the revealed that problem solving skills, effective communication skills and professional expertise skills were all significant in affecting performance of construction projects evaluated in Imo State. In line with the findings from the study, it is concluded that there is a strong positive correlation between project managers’ leadership skills and styles and construction project performance in our study population. Drawing from the conclusion, the study recommends that stakeholders in the construction industry should as a matter of urgency ensure that effective project managers’ leadership skills and styles are adopted by project managers in order to achieve good project performance.
Study on the use of indigenous plants parts for food preservation among farmers in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-07) Adiruo, Akunna Stephanie
This research work focused on “Study on the use of indigenous plants’ parts for food preservation among farmers in Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State”. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive survey design. The sample size comprised three hundred and six (396) farmers selected through multi-stage sampling technique. The researcher’s structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection, data generated were analyzed using frequency, mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics of ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance at appropriate degree of freedom. Analysis of data was done with the SPSS version 23. The result revealed that majority were knowledgeable of the alternate preservation of food with indigenous plants, 65.1% positively perceived the use of indigenous plants for food preservation while 93.2% used indigenous plants for food preservation. Results
also revealed that more than half of the respondents were knowledgeable that chilli pepper can be used to preserve dried form of rice (57.1%), beans (78.8%), maize (71.5%) and melon (57.3%) for more than 6 months duration. More than half of the respondents (66.3%) attested to bitter leaf efficacy in preserving some food items like fresh form of cassava for duration of 8 days to 1 month. The study also revealed that there was significant difference in utilization of the indigenous plants among sexes, different age groups, levels of education, years of farming experience, type of farming practiced and level of income. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that these indigenous plants parts should be processed to obtain forms and products that will substitute the chemical preservatives in the market because most consumers would show higher preference for products preserved with natural products. Neglecting this can lead to a negative setback for the farmers and local people which could result in decreasing interest on the use of these natural food preservatives. Future research should focus on the promotion of indigenous plants so that they can know their importance in addressing food and nutrition security.
Constituent budget and pollution models of Njaba River and its sediments, SouthEastern Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-12) Abiahu, Chidimma Maria Goratti
The physical, microbial, and geochemical properties of the Njaba River and its sediments were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), digital meters, and Total Plate Counts. A total of ten (10) surface water samples, five (5) soil samples, and five (5) sediment samples were obtained at five gauge stations (S1 to S5) designated at equal intervals of 2 km along the stretch of the river. The results of the water showed a slightly acidic to alkaline composition (6.44-6.77). This trend was also noticed in the soil samples within the river basin (6.24- 6.64) while the river sediment samples revealed pH values ranging between 6.30-6.52. The Odour of the water was unobjectionable while the appearance was slightly brownish. The presence of heavy metals such as Fe, Al, Si, and Zn was within the acceptable limits. On the other hand, the concentration of Hg which ranged between 0.001-0.071 mg/l and Pb with values between 0.060-0.23 mg/l were above acceptable limits of the FME Standard at most of the stations. The microbial assay of the water, soil, and sediments revealed the presence of organisms such as Ecoli bacteria, pseudomonas, fecal coliform, and fungi. The constituent budget of the Njaba River analyzed at Okwudor and Oguta over a period of eight years (2011 – 2019) and seven years (2012 – 2019) respectively revealed an increasing loading rate of the following constituents( Ca2+ 0.013, Mg2+ 0.70, Na+0.013, K+1.68, SO2-4 0.29, NO 3 0.15, Cl- 2.97, and PO-34 0.063 ) within the Njaba River with a decline in the concentration of HCO 3 (-0.63) at Okwudor and a decline of NO 3 (-0.03) at Oguta Lake. Pollution and ecological assessment models like Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index, Enrichment Factor, and Geoaccumulation Index(Igeo) were used to infer contamination levels of heavy metals in the soil and stream sediments. The CF results revealed Hg (0.46), Pb(2.35E-4 to 0.02), Al(ND), Zn (5.71E-4 to 1.2E-3)which shows low contamination factor in soil, the same trend was also found in the sediments with Hg (0.277), Pb (2.63E-6), Al (ND), Zn (3.64E-4 to 8.14E-4) and Fe(2.10E-6 to 2.63E-6) while the water samples have very high contamination factor for Pb (6.0 to 23), Hg revealed moderately contamination to very high contamination (0.1 to 7.1), Al (ND), Zn (0.192 to 0.403) and Fe (0.1 to 0.93). The I-geo revealed uncontaminated to moderately contaminated in the soil and stream sediment samples with Hg (0.28),>Pb( 1.57E-4 to 0.01),>Zn( 3.83E-4 to 8.04E-4), and Al(ND) for the soil samples while the stream sediments were in order of Hg (0.277),>Pb (1.15E-3 to 1.27E-3),>Zn (3.64E-4 to 8.14E-4) and Al (ND). The EF revealed low to minimal enrichment for the soil and stream sediment samples with Hg (0), Pb (0.303 to 1.000), Si ( 1.000 to 1.053), Zn (0.491 to 1.000) and Al (0) in soil and Hg (0), Pb (0.907 to 1.000), Si (1.000 to 1.282), Zn (0.051 to 0.114), Fe (0.800 to 1.000) and AL (ND) for stream sediments. The river water is however suitable for agricultural purposes based on the calculated SAR values with the dominant hydrogeochemical facies given as Na+K+Cl water type. In conclusion, there is a need for necessary treatment procedures which should be applied to raise the quality of the river water to the FME standards for safe drinking water for example the pH can be corrected (raised) using sodium bicarbonate (soda ash). The heavy metals can be treated using ascorbic or ion exchange methods while the microbial assay can be improved upon subjection to treatment using chlorine.