School of Logistics and Innovation Technology

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/1247

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 20

Open Access
Benchmarking study of West Africa’s offshore support ship building and repair capability
(Juniper, 2020-09-28) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Ezenwa, Anthony; Sule, Abiodun
The work surveyed current position of most West African Ship building outfits through a benchmark study of the building and repair capabilities of these yards vis a’ vis the offshore ocean oil and gas production sub sector and posed a great need for massive investments derived from well-established methods like, diamond model. Recommended solutions include immediate revitalization of research on the subject areas of Ocean technology and Naval Architecture. Pathways for quick realization of this objective were based on the evolution of a new industry to academic model that draws from local content experience of advanced countries ocean technology ecosystem. An analysis of Nigeria’s shipbuilding drive was made using existing facilities in her shipyard sector. Application of assembly line system and the modular methods were analyzed to determine best techniques given existing facilities in the region. Benchmark study of the entire sector was made evolving new policy directions for the region’s rich oil sector.
Open Access
Challenges of multimodalism in the West Africa’s trade corridor
(U. P., 2020-09-07) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Sule, Abiodun; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Ezenwa, Anthony
The work surveys the intermodal improvement models applied in modern times to improve port supply chain systems for world’s busiest ports and assesses how West African ports especially the overtly congested port of Lagos can benefit from these improvement models. Different aspects of the port operations drivers were considered including the land side, the sea side and digital technology business ecosystem. An assessment of developmental pursuits of Nigeria’s central government for the port sub sector was analyzed and criticized. The findings shows that a system of development that fails to consider logistics and supply chain improvement models will achieve limited development. The work hitherto assessed Nigeria’s freight and passenger transport development models and found absence of linkage between the various modes, thus the proposal of an intermodal development option that links the road the rail and barge transportation alternative. The focus of the work not only proposes methods or the reactivation of the functionality of the Niger river presently dredged but unutilized, but goes ahead to design an intermodal alternative incorporating both road and rail transport alternatives. International best practices of countries already applying this model were applied. A model was built from the work based on multinomial logit model explaining the dependence of cargo throughput on two other variables drawn from Nigerias’ economy namely consumer price index and gross domestic product. An exponential increase was found in the variable gross domestic product based on multinomial logit model. The West African economy of Nigeria was advised to go multimodal based on the findings.
Open Access
Constraint theory approach analysis of the Nigerian shipbuilding industry
(Sciendo, 2019) Nwokedi, T. C.; Kalu, D. I.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Addah, G. L; Odumodu, C. U.
Nigeria has been unable to develop a viable ship building industry over the years notwithstanding several efforts of government at achieving that. The study aimed to identify and determine the principal component constraints to ship building development in Nigeria. Adopting the theory of constraint approach, survey research design was used in which primary data were obtained from questionnaire responses from employees and management staff of shipyards in the ship building clusters in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Warri. The data collected were analyzed using principal component factor analysis, analysis of variance and pie-chart. It was found that the principal component constraints to the development of the ship building sector in Nigeria include financial constraint with Eigen value of 31.23%, infrastructural constraint with Eigenvalue of 26.35% and poor skill and technical know-how with Eigen value of 16.23%. This implies that financial constraints, poor skill and lack of technical know-how and infrastructural constraints contribute a cumulative Eigen value of 74.259% and thus constitute the dominant constraints impeding the performance of ship yards,ship building and repair sector in Nigeria. Development of national ship building and dry-docking funding scheme, ship building research and training center among other things were recommended.
Open Access
Structural changes in the global transport chain: Implications for ports
(Scientific Publishing House, 2018) Onwuegbuchunam, Donatus E.; Okeke, Kenneth O.; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Ugboma, Ogochukwu
Structural changes in trade and transport environment have come about in response to globalization of production centres, factors and consumption patterns coupled with technological advances in ship and shipping methods. The resulting demand pressure induced on supply chains means that supply chain partners must innovate to remain afloat. On the other hand, ports have been at the receiving end being a critical node in the supply chain. Through content analysis and review of extant literature, the structural changes in the global transport chains were assessed to determine their broad implications on ports. The findings suggest that ports must adopt proactive measures aimed at accommodating strategic interests of shippers and shipping lines/carriers which constitute their major supply chain customers. In line with previous studies, this paper makes a case for adoption of efficiency measures in ports for sustained viability given the prevailing fluid transport environment.
Open Access
The performance of marine insurance firms in Nigeria: An augmented SWOT aalysis
(Science Publishing Group, 2017-12-27) Onwuegbuchunam, Donatus Eberechukwu; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Ogwude, Innocent Chuka
The performance of Nigeria insurance industry has been ranked below global standards and which ranking has implications on risk management in the maritime shipping sector. In this paper, the performance and operating environment of a sample of insurance firms (with marine risk portfolios) were empirically examined. Secondary data on earned premium income, indemnity paid, management expenses and total expenses representing performance indices of these firms over a period from 1974-2013 were collected for analysis of their operational performance. Qualitative data were also extracted from existing literature for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis to determine the attributes of operating environment of the insurance firms. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model tests on the performance indices showed that the insurance firms earned more premium than indemnity paid out during the study period. Their management expenses however, exceeded amount of indemnity paid. In terms of challenges facing the firms, the SWOT analysis revealed prevalence of poor quality service delivery to insurance customers, customer distrust, inadequate technical manpower and unfavourable macro-economic environment. Prospects for growth of the industry were found favourable due to introduction of local content policy/cabotage shipping Acts and upgraded risk management framework. The paper recommends that more specific policy interventions be directed at complete removal of impediments in the operating environment of marine insurance firms since their performance outcome has implications on viability of shipping and related maritime businesses.
Open Access
Evaluation of airline service quality attributes: The Nigerian experience
(U. P., 2017-12) Ejem, E. A.; Dike, D. N.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Ezenwa, A.; Erumaka, O.; Chukwu, O. E.
Airlines are suffering from such competition. Service quality is typically defined regarding consumer satisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how satisfaction level among passenger with Arik and Aero Airlines is and how its managers can improve their service quality. To reach to achieve this purpose, we have studied different models of service quality measurement and adopted Gronroos model as a comprehensive model, we developed and adopted it to encompass various aspects of airlines’ services. We inclusively inferred that passengers of Arik and Aero are not satisfied with the perceived services and it warns manager to focus on passengers’ expectations. Tangibles, assurance, responsiveness, reliability, empathy, image and technical quality are seven features of the model, and in all of them, passengers feel dissatisfied. Managers should treat employees, improve visual facilities and coordinate all people, departments, and organizations involved with the airline. Finally, with airline must measure passengers’ satisfaction and service quality seasonally to keep the services corresponded with customers’ opinions.
Open Access
Port service quality study of Nigerian sea ports
(David Publishing, 2017) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Amanze, Azubuike Chibuzo; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Sule, Abiodun
This study is focused on service quality assessment in the Nigerian ports with Western and Eastern port zones as study areas. It discovered the level of satisfaction derived by port users by evaluating expectations and perceptions at the ports using some selected analysis tools to test raised hypothesis. This evaluation was based on the service quality model as developed by Parasuraman within the core dimensions of Empathy, Responsiveness, Tangibles, Reliability and Assurance. The attributes of expectations and perceptions raised within these dimensions were addressed with two hypotheses. H1 (Hypothesis one) and H2 (Hypothesis two) were addressed with the results of Factor Analysis which identified the significance port users attach to service quality dimensions and their respective attributes.
Open Access
A business ecosystem’s model for harnessing Nigeria’s ocean economy
(David Publishing, 2017) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Nwokedi, Theophilus Chinonyerem; Okeke, Okechukwu; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Chikwendu, David
The reassessment of ocean economy contribution of nations has become a new strategy for frontier states adjacent to the coastal region for the improvement of their position in the efficiency frontier curve. The continuity of a coastal state to remain a leader in the production and efficiency frontier curve of modern day development will thus depend on their ability to sustainably develop their most strategic economic resource base such as the ocean economy. The major economic bases include sustainable fishing, offshore oil field developments, offshore biodiversity development and marine biotechnology, offshore mining of manganese nodules, offshore wind farm potentials, international shipping (marine transport) and adjoining corridor development, ship dry docking potentials, marine renewable energy as well as other potentials outlined in the definition of African Union strategy for the development of her blue economy. Adopting the regression analysis and analysis of variance analytical tools, the study found that about 90% association exist between the GDP (gross domestic product) of the West African state (Nigeria) and her GDP. It equally found that offshore oil and gas energy sector more significantly impact on the GDP of Nigeria than other ocean economy business clusters. Given the various contributing marine environment business cluster used in the work, the model depicting the influence of the ocean economy of Nigeria is: Y = 2295334779895 − 29473X1 + 3436995749 − 5927686X2 + e.
Open Access
Sustainable transport development options for Nigerian lakes
(Ijournals, 2014) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Igboanusi, Chinemerem C.; Ezenwa, Anthony Ekene
The work assessed development options in general and transport development options in particular, open to governments and states surrounding lakes. The methodology applied in the study includes random sampling through interviews of major companies in the region. For lakes situated in a desert environment the sustainable development pathway would be the avoidance and prevention of desertification through policies that favour lake expansivity. Processes that favour the expansivity of lake volume through dredging and channeling of rivers to the lake environment should be sought. The work suggested that installation of boundaries or moles to prevent building of sand dunes by lake boundaries be applied where possible. States utilizing such lakes should develop sustainable development policies to be applied in the process of utilizing the marine resources existing in the lakes. In the area ofrenewable resources like fishes, the commodity should be designed to be harvested to an optimum sustainable level. For non-renewable resources, like under water minerals the number of contractors accepted into the region should be limited to an optimum sustainable level approved by the states concerned. Other lakes not suffering from desertification as well as all lakes should be made to adopt the new environment standards of the oceans that emphasize prevention of oil spills such as MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention on Marine Pollution Prevention from Ships 1973 and the protocol thereto 1978) etc. Furthermore, the renewable energy resources of the lakes where it is made open to interested firms should be made to be tapped in a sustainable manner. Major Nigerian lakes such as the Oguta lake of Nigeria, Lake Chad situated between Nigeria, Niger and Cameron were made the major focus of this study. Sustainable transportation strategies necessary for the future development of these lakes were identified and recommended.
Open Access
Analysis of determinants of airlines productivity in Nigeria domestic network
(U. P., 2017-12) Ejem, E. A.; Ekeugo, C. U.; Dike, D. N.; Chukwu, O.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Erumaka, O.
This study set out to ascertain the determinants of the productivity of the Nigerian airline industry. The study superficially examined the extent of these determinant factors on airline productivity. In the study, quantitative techniques such as one simple t-test and Friedman’s rank test and were employed. The data used in the study were both secondary and primary data collected from the airline employees and customers (passengers) in selected airlines of MMA and Port Harcourt International airport in Nigeria, using structured questionnaires and oral interviews. The critical factor affecting airline productivity in Nigeria is Sincere and responsive attitude to passenger complaints, with a mean rank of 26.79. This is closely followed by Age of aircraft, with a mean rank of 26.09, and Technical qualities/success to complete a trip, with a mean rank of 24.68. The least factor in order of importance is prompt response of employees of the airline to your request or complaints, with a mean rank of 13.74. Hence certain factors are more critical to airline productivity in Nigeria.
Open Access
A comparative analysis of productivity and fare variations of Nigerian Airlines
(U. P., 2017) Ejem, E. A.; Ekeugo, D. N.; Dike, C. U.; Chukwu, O.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Erumaka, O.
This paper examined productivity variations occurring among different airlines In the study, quantitative techniques such as The pair-wise t-test was utilized in the analysis of the available seat kilometrage (ASK) performed by the various airlines within the study period. The study shows that, there were significant relationships between aircraft utilization, passengers operation and airline productivity, at 0.05 level. The relationship between fare and productivity was statistically insignificant at 0.05 level. There were also productivity variations occurring between different airlines selected for the study. We recommend that efforts should be made to quicken the time spent on the ground by aircrafts of various airlines operating in Nigeria, as less time spent by aircraft on the ground enhances aircraft utilization, which will in the main, boast productivity.
Open Access
Analysis of air traffic capacity in Nigrian airports
(KY, 2017) Ejem, E. A.; Ibe, C. C.; Dike, D. N.; Chikwendu, D. U.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Chukwu, O. E.
The paper is aimed at determining the capability of the airside facilities to accommodate aviation operational demand. The USA FAA methodology was utilized for the measurement of airfield capacity in this study. In consideration of the existing runway configuration, runway utilization patterns and 52506 operation counts, Lagos airport domestic wing Nigeria has been determined to have a daily demand ratio (D) of 240 operations and an hourly demand ratio (H) of 20 operations, and thus, an ASV of approximately 63006 operations. Capacity calculations indicated that a Nigerian runway configuration accommodates an ASV of 247, 123 annual operations. Based on the aircraft fleet mix currently utilizing Nigerian airports, this ASV seems appropriate through the planning period. The ASV during the period under study was highest at the domestic wing of Lagos Airport followed International wing of the same airport. Abuja domestic wing was next followed by Port Harcourt domestic wing. It is considered, therefore, that no significant increase to existing peak-hour runway capacity may be possible in the short term although there is spare capacity during the off-peak (shoulder) periods. Nigeria has, in theory, the option of having two additional runways available, to enhance the overall runway capacity of the airport. In practical terms, simultaneous operational use of these runways is unlikely to provide significant and consistent capacity benefits.
Open Access
Passengers demand model for domestic airline in Nigeria: A case study of Airk Air
(U. P., 2017) Ejem, E. A.; Ibe, C. C.; Okeudo, G. N.; Dike, D. N.; Ikeogu, C. C.; Igboanusi, C. C.
In this paper, a passenger demand model for domestic was built. This model considers roles of airline service variables such as; service frequency, aircraft size, ticket price, flight distance, and number of airports in the route. It takes into account the influence of originating passengers in the metropolitan areas. The airport capacity, which has significant impact on service quality in airport and in the airline network, is considered. Researchers confirm importance of originating passengers, finds that, interestingly, airlines’ services in first flight leg are more important, and attracting passengers than those in the second flight leg. Based on study data, it was discovered that DIST, ORIG, DOMI and CAPA has positive individual elasticities of 0.027, 0.654, 0.558 and 1.137 with respect to passenger demand in airline route. This implies that 1% increase in each variable will increase passenger flow by 0.2%, 6.5%, 5.6% and 11.4% respectively in airline routes under study. These findings are helpful for airlines to understand effects of changing services, and also useful for us to quantify benefits of airport expansion projects.
Open Access
Analysis of factors of delay in road construction and other projects in Imo State
(U. P., 2017) Ejem, E. A.; Dike, D. N.; Njoku, L. C.; Onwuka, U.; Igboanusi, C. C.; Moneke, U. N.
This paper is aimed at identifying various factors responsible for road construction delays. From literature 165 common factors causing delays were identified. A survey were carried out amongst selected experienced personnel for expert opinion to identify the significant factors causing road construction and other projects delays in Imo State, Nigeria. 436 responses were collected from each of the respondents groups including client, consultant and contractor covering the Senatorial zones of Imo State. The questionnaire responses were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis method, which resulted in identification of 58 common factors causing road construction delays. Results show that that Poor site practices exhibits the highest rotated loading factor 0.950, followed by Contractor selection method of 0.964, Delays in contractor’s progress payment by owner of 0.878, Excessive overtime of 0.959, Design changes by owner or his agent during road construction of 0.867, Uncooperative owners of 0.913, Weather effect of 0.869, Equipment failure of 0.861, Building permits approval process of 0.871, Materials changes in types and specifications during road construction of 0.803 and Transportation delays of 0.892 factor loading in technical, quality management, financing, human resources, changes, contractual relationships, environment, equipment, rules and regulations, materials and scheduling and control factors respectively.
Open Access
Assessment of simulator adaptability in West African Maritime Institutes: A data envelopment analytical approach
(Juniper publishers, 2017-06-28) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Abiodun, Sule; Igboanusi, Chinemerem
The work analyzed the role of simulators and technical laboratories in influencing curriculum development strategies of West Africa’s maritime educational sector. The application of IMO’s STCW requirements on simulator based education were also analyzed in juxtaposition with the educational programmes in the higher education maritime programmes of West African institutions. Development knowledge gaps were identified and recommendations made accordingly. The gains of implementing a port simulator training programme for the region’s expanding port sector were emphasized. The focus of the work remains creation of officers with shorter sea time exposure during training.
Open Access
Exploratory factors analysis of human resources management strategies in the Nigerian Airline Industry
(U. P., 2017) Ejem, E. A.; Dike, D. N.; Okoroji, L. I.; Igboanusi, C.
t - The aftermath of liberalisation of the Nigerian aviation sector reveals itself in increasing demand for airline services at the Nigerian air terminals. The new competitive regime is seemingly a corollary of policy intervention to induce growth in quondam public dominated sub sector. Such impact will no doubt attract passenger services variance levels. The study examined factors which describe the critical variables that impinge on human resource management in a typical airline. To achieve some reduction in the categorical data points to deal with, while also investigating the structure of the data, we carried out an exploratory factor analysis. The analysis also serve the purpose of streamlining the study by removing highly correlated variables from the data set. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was the extraction method used under the IBM SPSS 19.0 system. The result of the Principal Component Analysis seemed somewhat reasonable in the absence of a clear idea of the nature of the distribution of airlines personnel interviewed in the study; that is, since we could not tell whether the data was generally normally distributed or significantly normal. The numbers of factors retained following the analysis were five including: supervision of staff performance; effect of good interpersonal relationship; effect of provision of working equipment/facilities; reward for excellence in performance and the need for credit on staff performance. The critical variables that motivates employees of the airlines is the provision of working equipment and facilities. This is closely followed by need for labour pressure group to protect the interest of the staff. The next prime motivator of the workforce is provision of adequate reward system for excellence in workers’ performance of their task. From the communalities recorded in the analysis, where it is shown that the two variables with the lowest values scored 0.610 and 0.654 respectively. One may therefore summarize that the analysis has unraveled the structure of the factors used to represent human resource management strategies.
Open Access
Econometric modeling of the impacts of shipping on Nigeria economy
(Open Access International e-Journal, 2016-01) Nwokedi, T. C.; Okoroji, L. I; Igboanusi, C. C.
The study is conducted to establish a quantitative relationship (model) between the impacts shipping on the economy of Nigeria and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) using an econometric method and to test the significance of the impact. The econometric/analytical method of regression analysis was adopted to achieve the objective. Time series data of 10 years were collected on the past contributions of maritime transport to the national output (GDP) from the Central Bank of Nigeria annual statistical bulletin. Hypotheses were tested using t-test. The test showed the rejection of null hypothesis HA and the acceptance of null hypothesis HB to conclude that maritime transport has made significant impact on the Nigerian economy over the period covered by the study.
Open Access
Cabotage implementation in Nigeria: Analysis for improving coastal shipping business opportunities for local and joint venture operators
(Exclusive Journal Publishing House, 2016-01) Nwokedi, Theophilus C.; Igboanusi, Chinemerem C
The year 2013 marked a decade of the implementation of cabotage law in Nigeria. This study analyzed the implementation of the policy over the 10 years period from 2004 to 2013. The aim of the study is to assess how the implementation of the policy has affected indigenous and foreign coastal shipping firms and how to use the policy to increase coastal shipping business opportunities for local ship operators. Data on number of cabotage vessels chartered from local and foreign shipping operators, their charter fees for each year covered the study were obtained. Assuming equal charter rate for cabotage vessels of local and foreign operators chartered in each year covered by the study, the research estimated the earned by each class of operator from charter fees. The difference of means statistical method was used to analyze the data on number of local and foreign ship operators vessels charter over the period and revenue earned from cabotage vessel. T-test was used to test each null hypothesis. Both null hypotheses H0A and H0B were rejected for the alternate hypotheses. The research found that Non-Nigerian (foreign) ship operators have earned more revenue and supplied more vessels to coastal shipping operations in Nigeria. It was recommended that the cabotage policy be amended remove the provision for waiver option to foreign vessel and encourage joint venture arrangement between local and foreign firms.
Open Access
International trade flow analysis using the gravity model - The Nigerian conondrum
(MNK Publications, 2014) Onyemachi, Chinedum; Igboanusi, Chinemerem C.; Ezenwa, Anthony Ekene
he work surveyed several international trade flow models applied to transportation and spatial interaction analysis. The connectivity between international trade flow, port development and hinterland acquisition were analyzed based on evolving market demands.The relevance of the gravity model both to the international trade and port hinterland analysis were identified. Methods for the estimation of trade flows using natural logarithms applied to the gravity model were developed. Furthermore, the work assessed the rising influence of both hub and dry ports in the world of international trade. While the later is situated in the hinterland, the former is situated at few major world ports. The relevance of the gravity model in determining the location of these port types was emphasized. The strategic roles of rising hub ports to world trade were also discussed. Relevant data were picked from the Nigerian Import and Export environment.
Open Access
A safety culture improvement model for West Africa’s offshore sector
(Science Publishing Group, 2016-12-29) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Sule, Abiodun; Nnadi, Kenneth. U.; Igboanusi, Chinemerem
Abstract: The work analyzed safety paradigms presently being applied in the solution of West Africa’s security and safety problems and proffered solutions based on improved safety culture principles. In the study the safety orientation attributes of offshore vessel operators in West Africa were measured with a view to improving safety in offshore support vessels, Floating, Production, Storage and Operations (FPSO) vessels operating in the region. The contributions of safety orientation to the greening of the blue economy were also analyzed. Also analyzed in the work were accident rates in the sub region in recent times. The work suggested methods for improving operating safety climate in West Africa’s maritime domain. The contributions of continuous learning as well as other safety paradigms were analyzed with a view to reducing accident rates inthe sector.