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Seasonal Variability of Water Quality in the Zigi River, Northern Tanzania
Get PDFWater quality parameters (colour, total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, nitrate, phosphate and faecal coliform) were evaluated during wet and dry seasons in relation to human activities in Zigi River and its tributaries. Samples were taken from nine strategic sampling points located in different areas of river. The samples were processed and analysed using established procedures. Results of temperature, EC, TDS, TSS, nitrate, colour, turbidity and E. coli were higher in wet season than in dry season. Significant variations (p < 0.05) of temperature, EC, TDS, nitrates, colour and turbidity with changing seasons were observed. Also, results on variations of other parameters were more or less the same in both seasons. Temperature, EC, TDS, nitrate and E. coli were increasing and DO decreasing downstream in both seasons probably due to increased anthropogenic activities along the river. High Pearson correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.53) observed between these parameters indicated that these values are closely related. Results on assessment of water using water quality index have revealed that the river water in both seasons is unsuitable for use as drinking water and that the water is more unsuitable for use during the wet season than during the dry season. Implications of the findings on water treatment are vivid and immediate measures are recommended to minimise the further diminishing quality of the water in this river and thus reduce the costs of treating the water for domestic us
Resources Management and Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Ngorongoro Tanzania
Get PDFThe study aimed to establish the status of human-wildlife conflicts over resources in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. The study used a questionnaire and guiding questions to collect data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis approaches. The findings indicate that Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) persists in the NCA. Wild animals exposed to harassment exhibited aggressive behaviors compared to others, and wild animals prowling at night predated all NCA-related domestic animals. Competition over resources between human beings, livestock, and wild animals causes HWC in the NCAA. In minimizing HWC, the villagers constructed strong fences around bomas and introduced zoning for grazing in some areas suitable for wild animals. The study concludes that the NCAA must continue providing conservation knowledge to the natives, promoting livestock predation compensation schemes, advocating building bomas using solid fences, and employing participatory treatment of WHC-related cases. The study recommends that natives in the NCAA area take precautions to avoid grazing their livestock in areas with a high degree of predation. In addition, relevant authorities should address rabid cases in the NCA
Global Stability of Disease-Free Equilibrium for an Acute Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Dynamics Model
Get PDFGlobal stability of disease-free equilibrium (DFE) of a deterministic epidemiological model describes the state of no infection that can eventually be reached in the absence of intervention, suggesting that the system can be deliberately intervened. This paper presents a global stability analysis of DFE, obtained from an acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission dynamics model that incorporates the dynamic effectors: immune response, hepatocytes proliferation and spontaneous clearance of the virus. The analysis was accomplished with calculated from the model system of equations at using the Metzler matrix method. With the parameter threshold, being a determining factor of the transmission of HCV infection, both the analytical results and simulation results have established the conditions for global stability of DEF. Precisely, the results show that the basic reproductive number, remains below unity, , despite initial values of the state variables. Thus, there should be a timely strategic intervention to eradicate the disease by ensuring that the basic reproductive number is strictly less than unity
Impact of Floods on Kenyan Women: A Critical Review of Media Coverage, Institutional Response and Opportunities for Gender Responsive Mitigation
Get PDFNatural disasters pose serious threat to human life and livelihoods. Kenya is perennially exposed to floods, landslides and drought due to effects of climate change. Flooding is particularly rampant in Western Kenya and women are disproportionately affected due the important roles they play in rural economies particularly in agriculture, the informal sector as well as household survival. The media is always at hand to capture the details of the catastrophe with press reports highlighting the specific experiences of individuals, and the prevailing conditions of the affected villages including: destruction of shelter, displacement and loss of livelihoods. Similarly, Government and Non–Governmental agencies move into the affected communities to provide the much-needed support. This study reviews existing institutional literature and media coverage reports to examine the specific flood related vulnerabilities among women in Western Kenya in order to identify existing gaps.Women experience specific difficulties in performing their traditional family roles, and are often unable to meet their personal hygiene and sanitation needs but are largely missing from the decision forums where Disaster Risk Reduction is discussed leading to lack of prioritization of their specific needs. The lessons drawn from this study should inform gender responsive mitigation efforts and resilience capacity building
Linkage Between Product Line Strategy and Competitive Advantage: Does Environmental Dynamism Matter?
Get PDFChanges in the operating environment normally force many firms to reconsider and adopt new strategies in search of new techniques and innovative management philosophies that can improve their competitiveness. This study is aimed at investigating the link between product line strategy and competitive advantage taking into consideration frequency and intensity of change in the operating environment, and enhancing the literature on strategic management and competitive advantage. The study involved a questionnaire-based survey of managers from a variety of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. A total of 215 responses were received and subjected to multiple regression analyses. Findings of the study revealed that product line strategy, which involves vertical and horizontal line extension line modernization and line pruning strategies constructs, has a significant effect on the firm’s competitive advantage. Further, that the relationship between product line strategy and firm competitive advantage was influenced by the environmental dynamism construct including changes in industry, competition and consumer. This study can help managers to understand the role of changes in environmental factors when formulating strategies concerning their product line. We, therefore, concluded that managers and other decision-makers can make informed decisions on the product line by paying attention to the firm’s external environment
Does Homework type Affect Pupils’ Homework Management? Experience from Standard Five Pupils in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to examine whether homework type may have influence on pupils’ development of various Homework Management Strategies (HMS) for effective management of the homework assigned. 154 standard five pupils selected from two Public Primary Schools in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam were assigned into either of the two homework types namely, Interactive homework Assignment (IHA) and Non- Interactive Homework Assignments (Non-IHA). The homework management strategies include: (a) ability to set an appropriate work environment, (b) managing time, (c) handling distraction, (d) monitoring motivation, and (e) controlling negative emotions arising while doing the homework. A Homework Management Strategies (HMS) scale by Xu and Corno (2003) was adapted and used to solicit information on Homework Management Strategies from the pupils. Compared with Non-Interactive Homework assignments, pupils in IHA reported more frequently working to manage their workspace, budget time, handle distraction, monitor motivation, and control emotion while doing homework. This suggests a need to encourage the use of IHA in our public primary schools so as to enhance the use of the five HMS and consequently improve pupils’ learning
Agencification and Minorization in Tanzania: A Case of Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA)
Get PDFThis study explores the impact of the creation of executive agencies on minorities in Tanzania. Using the Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) as a unit of analysis, the study highlights the role institutions play in reshaping societal dynamics particularly in reformed institutions that serve as agents for distributing opportunities to various societal groups. Specifically, the study carried out a critical analysis of RITA and found that despite the agency’s concerted efforts towards providing services to the wider community, its structure and funding have inadvertently resulted in unequal provision of services to different groups contrary to its mandate. The study, therefore, emphasises the need to monitor and scrutinise on continual basis the existing, reformed and newly-created institutions as well as mechanisms put in place to minimise the effects of structural marginalisation, which contribute to the minorization of certain groups in society
Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment along Wami River, Tanzania
Get PDFThe study was conducted to assess the heavy metal pollution in water and sediments of Wami River, Tanzania. A total of 60 water samples and sediment were collected from 15 random selected sampling points in three River sections; upstream, midstream, and downstream. All the samples were taken using standard procedures and analyzed using ASS at Ardhi University Laboratory, Tanzania for selected seven heavy metals including Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, Co and Hg. The findings show average concentrations of studied metals in water followed the decreasing order of: Co >Pb >Zn > Ni. The mean concentration of Pb in water for dry season and rainy season observed to be 0.22 ± 0.26 mg/L and 0.17± 0.24 mg/L respectively, which was much higher than the WHO standard level (0.05 mg/L) for drinking water, while the average concentration of Zn was observed 0.10 ± 0.14 mg/L and 0.08 ± 0.13 mg/L during dry and rainy season respectively. The minimum and maximum values were found to be 0.37 and 0.41 mg/L respectively. Environmental assessment conducted by three pollution Indices for sediment; Contamination Factor (CF), Index of Geo-accumulation (Igeo) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The pollution indices confirmed that Wami river sediment was not contaminated with these elements. Further, the study recommends for the future systematic monitoring plans to predict and prevent any potential heavy metal loading and their effects to river water and human being
Simultaneous Determination of the Relationship between Economic Growth, Energy Consumption, Trade and the Environment in West Africa
Get PDFEnergy plays important roles in human lives and economic growth. Energy use however, have its environmental impacts. Economic growth may also be
achieved through international trade and this can also impact the environment
by increasing energy consumption and consequently, pollution. To this end, this study examined the interrelatedness of energy consumption, environmental
pollution, international trade and the economic growth in nine of the West
African countries from 1990 to 2018 using the method of two stage least squares (2SLS). The study found contrary to expectation, that economic growth and international trade have no significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions in West Africa. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Financial Development (FD) have no significant impact on carbon dioxide emission in West Africa. Trade openness significantly increased emission in the West African countries. Energy consumption, in conformity with economic theory has positively contributed significantly to the rise in carbon emission in West African states. Trade openness significantly increases economic growth. Other results indicate that economic growth bears no significant influence on energy consumption. This is a benefit rather than a problem as de-linking energy consumption from economic growth is a good objective of any government. Urbanization significantly increased energy consumption in West Africa. Lastly, foreign direct investment, significantly contributed positively to trade growth in West Africa. This study recommends a switch to more renewable and clean sources of energy as opposed to the fossil-based energy sources in order to de-link energy demand from emissions in their countries. Governments can also encourage the development and use of energy efficient technology or enact energy conservation policies so as to reduce fossil - fuels use among others
Overview of TVET Institutional Capacity in Addressing Dynamic Labour Market: The Case of Tanzania and Selected Two Asian Tiger Nations
Get PDFIn most developed countries, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system has been considered to be among the key players for industrial growth through production of competent and skilled labour forces. However, TVET system in Tanzania has not been able to produce graduates who meet satisfactorily the skill demand of industries. The study examined the TVET institutional' capacity in addressing dynamic labour market. The study used a combination of instruments including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and observations to collect data from Tanzania and two Asian Tiger Nations, Singapore and the Republic of Korea. A total of 219 respondents were selected using simple random, stratified, and purposive sampling techniques. In summary, the study found that while conditions are very friendly in the two Asian Tiger Nations, Tanzania's TVET system is facing the short- supply of technically skilled workforce. The study has revealed further that among other factors influencing the effectiveness of TVET system in Tanzania are inadequate and poor teaching and learning infrastructure; outdated TVET curricula, teaching staff who not only lack practical experience but also lack the ability to interpret and apply labour market data and information. In ensuring that TVET system optimally contributes to economic development in Tanzania, lessons to be learnt from the two Asian Tiger Nations include establishing and strengthening strong partnerships among TVET institutions and industries and continuously monitoring of the relevance of TVET learning packages and curricula in line with current needs of industries