PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Introduction

Collaboration between academia and industry is unarguably a critical element of efficient national innovation systems. It is essential to analyze the experience of developed countries to foster a better understanding of the different types of research-industry-government collaboration, motivations to form these agreements and barriers to cooperation, as well as the role of public policy in fostering such linkages. Developing countries like Nigeria face enormous barriers to efforts aimed at achieving such alliances, this calls for a discerned approach to enhancing existing research-industry-government synergy and in developing new ones. It is a regrettable fact that after over fifty-seven years after independence, Nigeria still depend largely on foreign nations for her various technological and industrial needs. The effects of this dependence is evident in Nigeria’s poor development and gross low technological productivity and shaky economical growth.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKWARDNESS

A county is said to be technologically backward when

1. It lacks the capacity to produce capital goods such as tractors, lathe machines, drilling machines, cars, trains, and other earth moving equipment.
2. It lacks the knowledge and skills to exploit her natural resources except with the help of foreigners who will normally provide the technology and expertise to undertake the exploitation of her natural resources.
3. It is unable to produce her own military hardware with which to defend herself if the need arises.
4. Agriculture is not mechanized i.e. use of crude implements for agricultural production activities by a large percentage of those who are involved in agricultural production.
5. It depends on other countries for the supply of its spare parts for industrial machinery
6. It exports raw materials to other countries as against finished products.

A critical examination of Nigeria presently reveals that all the points itemized above are contemporary in the country. Consequently, Nigeria as spelt out in the items above is a technological backward country.

SUGGESTED REMEDIES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL BACKWARDNESS IN NIGERIAO

Our situation in Nigeria is not totally hopeless. As a nation, we can leave the comity of technologically backward nations to one of technologically advanced nation if the following suggestions are honestly implemented in the interest of the nation.

• Copying of items existing in the market.

To achieve this laboratories, workshops, and other appropriate facilities should be developed for component analysis and for building prototypes of items to be produced. Products of interest in could be completely knocked down in the workshops, with study and analysis of each component in the laboratories to learn its chemical composition, physical properties and other production parameters of interest and replicate such items. Government should encourage “homemade/Igbo made” items and should put measures that will help in improving the quality of their products so as to compete favorably with those imported.

• Industrial Spying

Spies can often be sent as employees to collect top secrets and company documents required for developing products of interest, these information they pass on to their sponsors for a fee. Highly technical and military technology is closely guarded by their proprietors. The secrets can be obtained either by direct investments or through espionage.

• Provision of Infrastructural Facilities in our Schools

Presently, the older universities in Nigeria have obsolete tools and the newer ones cannot afford to equip their laboratories and workshops Otubanso (2005) in “Education for Underdevelopment” quoted a chemistry professor as saying that “students no longer do practical but only the theory of practical/alternative to practical". The ideals of the society are supposed to be passed to the next generation by the school system. If our students cannot do basic practical how can we aspire to a technological breakthrough? It is therefore imperative that for us to overcome the problem of technological backwardness, the public and private sectors must as a matter of necessity and urgency invest monumental resources towards

upgrading our educational infrastructures. We should probably recall the

statement of Martin Luther King, who said: “The prosperity of a country

depends not on the abundance of its revenues, nor on the strength of its

fortifications, not on the beauty of its public buildings, but it consists in the

number of its cultivated citizens, its men of education, enlightenment of

character".

• Adequate Financing of Research Institutions

A good number of research institutions in Nigeria are not adequately funded.

This continues to weigh against effective research undertaking. India for example invested over three billion dollars in 1985 in some 1,300 research institutes working on electronics aeronautics and space, atomic energy, etc.

In 1985, India spent 1.5% of her GNP on research and development compared with about 2.5% spent by the US. Nigeria’s highest allocation

figure was 0.43% in 1983, which went down to 0.05% in 1992 and 0.23% in 2003 (The Nigerian Engineer, Vol. 35 No. 4 December 2003):

Recently in 2007, Nigeria’s education sector again received much lower than the 26 percent of national budget, as recommended by the United Nations. In the 2017 budget proposals presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, N448.01billion was allocated to education, representing about 6 percent of the N7.30 trillion budget, contrary to the recommendation by UNESCO.

This is very sad for a sector whose responsibility is to research into areas that will enhance development in the country.

• Bold Energy Production and Supply

It was abundant energy supply that launched Europe into the industrial revolution. Nigeria has been flaring natural gas from oil wells for over 57 years, it has an abundant deposit of coal, yet the Power Generating Firms cannot generate and supply electricity to Nigeria. Industrial transformation can only thrive

on a steady and sustainable supply of electricity. Since experience has shown that anything under government control never functions properly in Nigeria, then it is imperative that for Nigeria to achieve technological breakthrough,

power generation and effective distribution must be a case of serious national concern.

• Engineers, Technologists, Technicians and Class Struggle

Presently there is a cold war between engineers, technologists and technicians in Nigeria each feeling that he is superior to the other. But it is pertinent for all to know that they are all members of the same family and they need to work together to pull Nigeria out of the morass of technological

backwardness. Gordian Ezekwe, one time minister of science and

technology, commenting on bringing about Nigeria’s technological breakthrough once said: “No one man does it. It is going to be a combined thrust of the best hands and brains, in all sectors of the society and of all and sundry in this country, including the clerks”.

• Appropriate Technology

We need to embark on the acquisition of the technology that is appropriate and useful to us as a nation. That America has sent men to space does not mean that Nigeria must also send men to space. We need to look at our

environment see what our local people do, and fabricate machines tools and equipment that will assist them to do these things more efficiently hence

enhance productivity.

• Good Leadership

For Nigeria to join the comity of technologically developed countries there must be a leader who is sincere, committed, has foresight, visionary and to walk the talk. Not merely by saying it as common with our leaders but by doing it. Koontz et al. (2002) noted that “the importance of good leadership is nowhere better dramatized than in the case of many underdeveloped

countries where provision of capital or technology does not ensure development. The limiting factor in almost every case has been the lack of quality and vigor on the part of managers". This statement is particularly for

Nigerian leaders whose major aims are not only on how to amass wealth for themselves but for their unborn generation.

CONCLUSION

Nigeria is poor, unable to feed her teeming population, debtors, high inflation, have

low life expectancy figures, and to a large extent have inept leaders. These leaders

are unable to exploit the natural resources at their disposal. Nigeria as a nation

strive to quit the stage of dependency on foreign technologies/goods to an

industrialized dependent nation. This will help the citizenry and make her the real

giant of Africa.

Caterpillar Releases New Compacting Machines.

Customers expectations of Cat® offering machines and services that help them become more efficient and profitable is been met as new models are being produced. These new models do just that by making them easy to operate, simple to transport, and quick to service.

The new CB2.5, CB2.7, CB2.9, and CC2.6 utilizes a weight based nomenclature that signifies its standard operating weight in metric tonnes, making it easy for customers to choose the machine that best fits their needs. These new models provide excellent versatility in the 2.5 mt to 2.9 mt size class. Typical applications include streets, bike paths, courtyards, patchwork, parking lots, driveways, town centers, and shoulder work.

Easy to Operate

Simple operating features include toggle-type switches for quick and easy activation of machine functions. The straight forward analog display provides fuel level, engine temperature, and machine hours for quick reference. Effortless starting is achieved through its unique glow-plug technology that makes starting easier.

Simple to Transport

Moving to a new job site has never been easier. The single point lifting option and durable hitch design makes hoisting the machine onto transport vehicles quick and easy. The foldable ROPS option provides a short transport height and enables the machine to move under and around low structures when performing compaction procedures.

Quick to Service

Simple diagnostics and accessible service checks are keys to optimizing machine production. These new utility compactors are equipped with fuses and relays that enable service personnel to quickly troubleshoot root causes without utilizing specialized equipment. Visual indicators for airflow, fuel/water separator, cooling, hydraulic, and water spray systems help optimize routine service checks and keep machines working.

Closely Monitor

These new models are designed to easily fit in the rental fleet. Product Link™ capability enables close monitoring to keep owners informed of machine location and service needs. The simple control panel and spacious platform offer comfort to suit a variety of operators. Durable components and the fuel efficient engine maximize uptime and lower lifetime operating costs.

Effective Power

These new Utility Compactors are equipped with a C1.5 engine that meets emissions equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 4 Interim, EU Stage IIIA, and China Stage III emission standards (Note: EU Stage IIIB emissions standards do not apply to this power ratings class). It delivers 22.3 kW (30.3 hp) of power and performs effectively in the toughest conditions.

Caterpillar rolls out products and services in each of its territories at different time intervals. Although every effort is made to ensure that product information is released only after Caterpillar has received confirmation from our dealer network, our plants, and our marketing subsidiaries that products and services are available in the relevant region, editors are kindly requested to verify with their local dealer for product availability and specifications.

How to build affordable homes

How to make home building more affordable

Image: World Economic Forum

Globally, Creating low-cost housing and social infrastructure is a challenge. A project to create much-needed courthouses in Tanzania may have shown a way forward.

The Moladi construction system replaces the cumbersome bricklaying process with an approach similar

to injection moulding. Workers erect the building’s frame with reusable plastic panels, leaving wall cavities which – once the windows, doors, wiring and pipework have been put in – are filled with a fast-setting, aerated mortar.

The building process can be monitored by just one qualified supervisor who manages local workmen with no prior construction experience or skills.

The first project, Kibaha District Courthouse, was built for $250 per square metre, which is half the cost of conventional methods. It took six months to complete when it might typically have taken up to three years using traditional methods. On the back of this success, the Tanzanian government has committed to building another 11 district courthouses using this method.

WHY BUILDINGS CRACK (PART 2)

WHY BUILDINGS CRACK(PART 2)

Remedies to the Cracks on your building

The remedies to cracks in buildings are of two categories; one is the preventive measures and another the corrective measures.

a.   Preventive measures: As per the saying “Prevention is better than cure", taking the following measures will definitely lead to you owning a building "Free of cracks".

•    Ensure you engage the services of a qualified and experienced Architect and Structural Engineer at the design stage despite their service charge.
•       There should be a preliminary site investigation by the design team at the design stage. This will help them determine the appropriate type of foundation to be recommended and relevant knowledge of the soil condition of the proposed project site.
•      The design/drawings and specifications so produced must be properly detailed.
•     All material must be of good quality, purchased/procured from certified distributors. On no account should cheap/inferior material be used.
•    Engage a qualified and experienced Engineer/Builder/Contractor during the construction of your building. This will ensure proper interpretation of drawings and specifications and effective supervision at all the stages of the construction.
•      Building owners must desist from making indiscriminate alteration and changing of designs during construction (changing a bungalow design to multiple stories). All alterations must get the necessary approvals from the Architect and structural Engineer respectively.

b.   Corrective measures: when cracks could not be prevented by following the above listed measures, sooner or later various types of cracks will appear on the building.

To correct the cracks, engage an expert Engineer/Builder/Contractor who would:

·        Study the cause of the crack.

·        Observe the characteristics of the cracks.

·        Analyze and categorize the crack.

·        Recommend the most effective solution to the crack.

 Proven methods of curing cracks

                     i.        Epoxy injection:

If cracks are as narrow as 0.002 in. (0.05 mm), it can be bonded by the injection of epoxy. The method generally entails establishing entry and venting ports at close intervals along the cracks, sealing the crack on exposed surfaces, and injecting the epoxy under pressure.

                   ii.        Routing and sealing

This method can be used in conditions requiring remedial repair and where structural repair is not necessary. It involves enlarging the crack along its exposed face and filling and sealing it with a suitable joint sealant. This is a common technique for crack treatment and is relatively simple in comparison to the procedures and the training required for epoxy injection. The procedure is most appropriate to approximately flat horizontal surfaces such as floors and pavements.

                 iii.        Stitching

This method is achieved by drilling holes on both sides of the crack and grouting in U-shaped metal units with short legs (staples or stitching dogs) that span the crack. Stitching may be used when tensile strength must be reestablished across major cracks. Afterdrilling holes on both sides of the crack, the holes are cleaned, legs of the staples are anchored in the holes, with either a non-shrink grout or an epoxy resin-based bonding system.

                 iv.        Gravity Filling

In this method, low viscosity monomers and resins can be used to seal cracks with surface widths of 0.001 to 0.08 in. (0.03 to 2 mm) by gravity filling.  The lower the viscosity, the finer the cracks that can be filled. The typical procedure is to clean the surface by air blasting and/or water blasting. Wet surfaces should be permitted to dry several days to obtain the best crack filling.

                   v.        Drilling and plugging

This method consists of drilling down the length of the crack and grouting it to form a key. This technique is only appropriate when cracks run in reasonable straight lines and are only accessible at one end. This method is most often used to repair vertical cracks in retaining walls.

                 vi.        Overlay and surface treatments

Fine surface cracks in structural slabs and pavements may be cured either by using a bonded overlay or surface treatment. This method is appropriate if there will not be further significant movement across the cracks. Unbounded overlays may be used to cover, but not necessarily repair a slab. Overlays and surface treatments can be appropriate for cracks caused by one-time occurrences and which do not completely penetrate the slab.

WHY BUILDINGS CRACK(PART 1)

Reasons for the cracks on your building

We all desire to own houses that are structurally safe and aesthetically captivating but this is not so easily achieved. Due to some unavoidable reasons and faulty construction processes cracks starts to develop on various structural and non-structural components of the building with time. Cracks on buildings poses eyesore to property owners, occupants and neighbour of/to such a building. It creates a sense of danger even after such cracks have been treated. Cracks may only affect the appearance of the building only, however a crack maybe the first sign of a serious defect which may affect the serviceability or stability (structural integrity) of the building. The appearance of cracks will also negatively affect the value of the building, its insurance value, its marketability and can be the subject of litigation.

Cracking is an unavoidable reaction to the inability of a structure to bear its design loads or movements to which it is subjected. It is a common phenomenon to see various crack patterns in buildings during its construction, at completion, when subjected to super imposed load or during its service life. Building components develops cracks when its strength is exceeded by stresses.

TYPES OF CRACKS

 Cracks in buildings can be generally classified into structural and nonstructural cracks.

1.    Structural Cracks: These arises from wrong design, erroneous construction steps or overloading (such as addition of floors not in the original design) and may endanger the safety of a building. e.g. cracking of beams, columns, slabs, staircase, footings etc.

2.    Non-structural Cracks: These results from internally induced stresses in buildings materials and might initially not jeopardize the safety of a building but may look unpleasant, or may create an impression of faulty work or may create a sense of danger. In some cases, due to passage of moisture through the cracks the internal finishes may be damaged thus adding to the cost of maintenance, or causes corrosion of reinforcements, thereby adversely affecting the structural rigidity of such building with time. e.g. Cracks on walls.

CAUSES OF CRACKS

The following are the major causes of cracks that occurs in buildings:

a.   Foundation Settlement: it is normal buildings settle under its own weight with time. This settlement has to be uniform and tolerable, differential settlement is a principal cause of cracks in buildings especially when the right type of foundation is not used for the building. During construction if over-dig and backfill material is not properly compacted it will settle over time. Other reasons for settlement includes decay of organic matters present in topsoil, change in moisture content of soil below and around the foundation and overload from the superstructure. This settlement will cause any concrete poured atop the soil to settle with it thereby leading to severe crack problem.

b.   Poor structural design and specification: it is important that at the stage of building design, the designer (structural) first takes the existing environmental conditions around the site into consideration. A geotechnical (soil) investigation will help in determining the type of foundation, the type of concrete material and grade of concrete to be used depending on the subsoil chemical and moisture condition. It is critical for the architect and structural engineer ascertain the competence level of the contractor in executing their designs. Neglect of this important aspect could have an adverse effect on buildings.

c.   Poor construction practice (workmanship): building owners most often neglect the need to engage competent technical persons during construction of their buildings. For a building to be safe and healthy, it is absolutely necessary to maintain good construction practice at all the stages to completion without cutting corners. This is evident in the following;

                     i.    selection of poor quality (cheap) materials.

                   ii.    Improper selection of materials.

                 iii.    Wrong and inadequate proportioning of concrete and mortar constituents.

                 iv.    Inadequate control of batching, mixing, transportation, placing, finishing and curing during concrete production.

                   v.    Inadequate quality control and supervision during the various stages.

d.   Thermal movement: Building material are prone to expansion on heating and shrinking on cooling. This depends on factors such as temperature variation, member dimensions, physical properties of the material and coefficient of thermal expansion of the material. Majorly it is the external walls especially those with thin dimension and the roof (concrete roof, parapet wall) exposed to direct solar radiation and substantive thermal variation that are prone to cracking.

e.   Moisture movement: most of the building materials that have pores in its structure (i.e intermolecular spaces) will expand on absorption of moisture and shrink on drying. It is the combination of this shrinkage and restraint forces from subgrade or other building materials that develops tensile stresses on the building element. Cracks will develop if this combined stresses exceeds the tensile strength of the material (concrete or mortar).

f.     Indiscriminate alterations and impositions: indiscriminate alteration of building designs and addition of loads by interior decorators e.t.c have led to the collapse of so many buildings. Imposing of more suspended floors not contained in the initial building design at the instance of the client.

g.   Poor maintenance: every structure needs proper maintenance after a certain period of time from its construction completion. If such is not in place minor defects not identified early could lead to further deterioration.

h.   Movement due to Chemical reactions: building materials (concrete, mortar) may crack as a result of expansive reactions between aggregate containing active silica and alkali derived from cement hydration. The alkali silica reaction results in the formation of swelling gel, which tends to draw water from other portions of concrete. This causes local expansion which results in cracks in the structure.

i.     Growth of vegetation:

Tree roots generally grow and spread horizontally on all sides to the extent of height of the tree above the ground at maturity. If trees are located close to a wall, it can cause cracks in the building due to expansive action of roots growing under the foundation or death and decay of such roots. Plants could grow in fissures of walls, because of seeds contained in bird droppings, or carried by wind or other means. If such plants  growth is not effectively eliminated, these may lead to development of severe cracking of wall.