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Structural Evolution, Magmatism, and Effects of Hydrocarbon Maturation in Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria: A Case Study of Lokpaukwu, Uturu, and Ishiagu.
Get PDFThe Benue Trough of Nigeria has been affected by at least two episodes of deformation in the Cenomanian and Santonian times. The deformations generated NE-SW trending structural features, which accommodated
massive igneous activities in the Trough. The Lokpaukwu–Uturu–Ishiagu magmatic belt of the Lower Benue Trough is an example of these structurally controlled igneous intrusions. The igneous rocks are predominantly intermediate to basic in character, rich in plagioclase and ferromagnesian minerals and have impacted high maturity on the source sediments due to thermal effect. Total organic carbon contents of the mudrock inclusions in the pyroclastics range from 0.60%wt – 0.86%wt. It is apparent that prior to the
eruption, an initial shaly source rock with higher organic carbon content was cooked during the eruption, thereby reducing the source quality of the rocks. Thus, heat from the igneous intrusions raised the temperature of the source rocks above the liquid oil window limit, and thus inhibited the preservation of the essential constituents of petroleum in the shales within the Lower Benue
Trough
Geoelectric Investigation for Groundwater Development of Southern Part of Nigeria
Get PDFA resistivity survey was carried out in order to study groundwater potentials in the southern part of Nigeria; Obio Etoi, Obio Offot, the University of Uyo, all of the Uyo Local Government Area, and Akwa Ibom State. Twelve vertical electrical soundings using the Schlumberger array were conducted. The soundings were carried out with current electrode spacing (AB/2) ranging from 1m to 400m using Terrameter model 300 and its accessories. The field data acquisition was carried out by moving two to four of the electrodes used between each measurement. All of the data was first calculated in the field to check its quality. The apparent resistivity obtained from the field was plotted against half the current electrode separation (AB/2) on the bilogarithmic graph paper to obtain the initial parameters, which were used in a computer program to obtain final parameters. From the interpreted results, six subsurface layers were distinguished in each of the regions, the resistivity ranging from 307 to 16100Ωm (thickness 0.6 – 26.7m) in Obio Offot, 1260 to 16300Ωm (thickness 0.79 – 110.9m) in Obio Etoi and 526 to 17000Ωm (thickness 0.23 and above) in the University of Uyo. The formation boundaries were thus delineated using the resistivity values obtained from the interpretation of field data. The top fine sandy layers (27, 39 and 20m could be a major source of shallow well water, but the aquifers may be susceptible to contamination. Deep boreholes can be reached at less than 75.69, 75.2 and 60m without contamination
Adoption and welfare impact of improved rice varieties on rural farming households in Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria
Get PDFThe study evaluated the adoption of improved rice varieties and its welfare impact on farmers. Through the FGT class of measures and the Tobit regression model, cross-sectional data from 200 rice farmers were analyzed. The result showed high incidence, depth and severity of poverty among non-adopters of improved rice varieties. Also, results showed that educational attainment, access to extension agents, access to credit, access to augmented of improved rice varieties adoption and probability of being poor. The negative impact of adoption of improved rice varieties on household poverty implicitly showed improvement in households’ welfare that has adopted improved rice varieties. These results generally suggest the relevance of adoption of improved rice varieties and human capital development in improving the welfare of rice farming households.
Key words: improved rice varieties, adoption, welfare, rural farming household, Nigeri
Assessment of Some Nigerian Coals for Metallurgical Application
Get PDFIn the quest for a search of a suitable coal deposit of metallurgical importance, the qualities of three Nigerian coal samples, Lafia-Obi, Doho and Lamja, were assessed for possible utilization in metallurgical coke production. Several parameters that determine coking quality, such as moisture content, ash, volatile matter, free swelling index, sulphur content, Gray-King coke test, dilatation and plasticity (fluidity), were investigated. Lafia-Obi has the lowest moisture and volatile matter and the highest fixed carbon content. Its ash and sulphur contents are greater than that required by a coking but washing prior to use is expected to improve it. The volatile matter places Lafia-Obi in the medium-volatile bituminous rank, while Lamja and Doho are of medium-volatile bituminous rank. The rheological properties show that Lafia-Obi is the only caking coal. This put together single out Lafia-Obi as a potential candidate for coke making. Doho and Lamja coals may be useful for steam raising, liquefaction or chemicals manufacture
Measuring Technical Efficiency of Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare) Production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Get PDFOutput-oriented technical efficiency indices were estimated by stochastic production frontier functions to survey data collected from 60 waterleaf farmers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with the aid of structured questionnaire. Using the maximum likelihood estimation technique, asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe efficiency determinants. Specifically, farm size, planting materials, labour, fertilizer and farmyard manure were estimated to be major determinants in waterleaf production. In this regard, a unit increase in any of the factors would result to less than proportionate increase in the output of waterleaf harvested. With regards to inefficiency model specified, the finding revealed the relative importance of farmers’ ages, household size and contact with extension agents in explaining the observed distribution of the farm level inefficiency indices. Findings also revealed a mean efficiency index of 0.65 implying that output from maize production could be increased by 35 percent using available technology.
Key words: Technical efficiency Talinum triangulare Stochastic frontier Nigeri
Analysis of Domestic Water Consumption Pattern by Farming Households in Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study analyzed the domestic water consumption pattern of farming households through the use of cross-sectional data collected from 100 households in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study utilized both exploratory statistical techniques and econometric procedure in data analysis. Findings revealed that though, the number of commercial borehole subscribers outnumber that of Akwa Ibom Water Company (AKWC), households still have high preference for water from AKWC. Result further revealed that household size, household income, storage facility, multiple usage and body mass index are major domestic potable water consumption shifters and were fairly inelastic. Findings also revealed a low per caput of 0.03399 cubic meters (33.99 liters) of water per person per day, which showed deficit of about 16 litres of water per day when compared with the WHO standard
Integrated Water Resources Management in the Cross River Basin, Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper examines the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Cross river basin, Nigeria. The Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) was established in 1976 with a mandate for integrated development, using the abundant water resources available in the region. Thirty years after the creation of the CRBDA, there is still a large gap between the original objectives and the actual delivery of services to meet the needs of the people. A wide range of study methods, including stakeholder meetings, focus group sessions, interviews and observations at village meetings of selected communities was used to examine the implementation of IWRM against the expectations and needs of the people. The paper concludes that IWRM in the Cross river basin (CRB) has not been very successful. This is attributed to a number of institutional factors, including legal, political, administrative and financial obstacles. This paper recommends that IWRM policies in the CRB should be reformed to reflect local circumstances and conditions
Estimating Exportable Tree-Crops Relative Price Variability and Inflation Movement Under Different Policy Regimes in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study modeled the link and impact of inflation on tree-crop commodity relative price variability in Nigeria under different agricultural policy regimes. Empirical results revealed that aggregate inflation had a negative non-linear impact on relative price variability of tree-crop commodities in Nigeria. Furthermore, the results revealed that tree-crop commodities in Nigeria had higher producer price instability indices between 1970 and 2005. Also, Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) policies brought about an upward shift in the coefficient of inflation while Civilian Post-SAP policies affected relative price variability directly and negatively through inflation. Based on the findings, the study suggested re-assessment and improvement of policy framework of SAP and CPSAP to ensure more efficiency in resources allocation within the sub-sector, in addition to provision of input subsidy during high inflation period.
Keywords: Tree Crops, relative price variability, inflation, policy regimes, Nigeri
Modelling Indices of Efficiency and Sustainable Land-use and Management Among Migrant Farmers in a Farm Settlement of Cross River State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper employed a cross sectional data set to assess how sustainable land use and management practices of migrant farmers are in typical farming settlement. Through stochastic frontier modelling both indices of inefficiency and land use and management were estimated. Empirical result revealed mean level of inefficiency in resource use of 23%. The result also showed that about 72% of the farmers adopted land use and management practices that impaired land productivity. On the short-run therefore, the study revealed that only about 29% of the farmers improved crop productivity in the context of efficient use of inputs and proper use and management of land. The study recognised the importance of large-scale adaptive research and extension services in educating farmers of the suitable practices that would ensure sustainable use of agricultural land.
Key Words: Migrant farmers; Efficiency; Sustainable land use; Stochastic frontier; Nigeri