AN ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BLOCK MOLDING INDUSTRY IN KEFFI TOWN

AN ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BLOCK MOLDING INDUSTRY IN KEFFI TOWN

ABSTRACT

The block manufacturing activities in keffi town are involved in the production of virtually all sizes of sand Crete. The operators  are mostly youth whose ages are between 28 years and 45 years with all of them having one form of education or the other but mostly in the elementary education category and like many informal sectors activities, skills for their job was acquired on the job. The activities of these artisans have contributed in no small measure to the development of AMAC urban economy providing jobs and skills to a large number of youths and helping the growths of the housing construction units. Their activities were however, unplanned, uncoordinated and so negates the essence of environmental planning, the poor electricity supply and other supporting facilities has not helped the growth of this sector and most importantly the lack of permanent location for the operators who only occupy and pay rent for yet-to be developed plots and road setbacks has made them nuisance within the urban environment even with their enormous contributions.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1     INTRODUCTION

Block molding industries is becoming the backbone of building construction of every country. Block molding industry is one of the largest production sectors of the construction industry in Nigeria (Anosike 2011). Virtually every Local Government Area has one or more small or large scale block production factories. Block production is no doubt a lucrative venture, if properly managed.

Mead (1994) in a study asserted that block molding industry are category of small industry that contributes only 2-3% to the GDP. The industry plays an important role in the economy of developing country. These block molding industry are divided into several parts which includes  stabilized bricks /blocks, sundried (Adobe) soil blocks, burnt clay bricks/ blocks, cast in-situ walls, rice husk ash (RHA), mud and straw, lime and stone Crete blocks.

Their locations, like several other informal activities, are without formal arrangement (Jelili, et. al 2017) and as such remain unpredictable. They take advantages of open spaces, and undeveloped land within the urban Centre’s there by deforming the beauty of the urban environment.

According to part B of the fifth schedule of the environmental protection Act (EPA), item 3. Location/sitting of block molding industry includes the followings, the site should be located in industrial areas or at a suitable site outside the defined settlement/residential areas or within the buffer of bad neighborhood activities/development, and the existing development context of the site should be compatible with the activity. At the design stage of new block making plants, consideration should be given to the site lay-out, with a view to avoiding disturbances to the surrounding environment. In particular, attention should be paid to the location of entrances, exists, car parks, access road and amenities, the site should not be located within any environmental sensitive area (ESA) and it’s prescribed buffer zone as per ESA study 2009 such as wetlands, steep slope and in areas that are likely to be affected by hazards such as inland flooding, landslide and Storm surges, amongst others.

On-site wastewater disposal facility such as septic tank and absorption pit/leaching fields shall be located not less than 30m from any water course, existing natural drains and watercourse on or in the vicinity of the site shall not be Tampered with.

1.1     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In developing countries like Nigeria Block molding industry is seen as an informal sector which make used of open spaces within the residential areas thereby posing threats to the surrounding environment. The problems that face the block molding industries in KEFFI.Are common (Sultan &Kajewski, 2003). These problems include:-

1.       Poor location/sitting of block molding industry in the study area withoutrecourse to environmental protection guideline for block making plant

2.        Lack of physical planning standard and regulations for sitting block industry in Nigeria.

There is also evidence that the problems have become greater in extent and severity in recent years (Ofori, 2000).

1.2     AIM

          The aim of study is to examine the locational distribution of block molding industries in keffi, with a view of evolving appropriate planning proposal for the study area.

1.3     OBJECTIVES

1. To examine the existing planning provision for the sitting and operation of block molding industries in KEFFI.
2. To examine the concept of block molding industries in KEFFI.
3. To examine the standards of block molding industries in KEFFI.
4. To identify the prospects and challenges facing block molding industries in KEEFI.
5. To examine the socio economic characteristics of block molding industries in the study area.
6. To make planning proposal for block molding industry in the study area.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the existing planning provision for the sitting and operation of block molding industries in KEFFI?
2. What is the concept of block molding industries in KEFFI?
3. What are the standards of block molding industries in KEFFI?
4. What are the socio economic characteristics of block molding industries in the study area?
5. What are the prospects and challenges facing block molding industries in KEFFI?

1.5     SCOPE

The study is delimited to planning implication of indiscriminate location of Block molding industries in KEFFI.

1.6     JUSTIFICATION

This study is imperative in order to achieve the various urban planning objectives of enhancing, convenience, aesthetics, compatibility in land uses and functionality within the urban area as well as striving to achieve the millennium development goal of ensuring environmental sustainability. It will serve as a working document that will guide the federal government in the provision of block molding activity in KEFFI town, and it will also create job opportunity.

This study is important because effective implementation of this work will serve as a model for other urban centers in the state and the country at large, and will also serve as a reference material for other researchers who will embark on similar project.

1.6     STUDY METHODOLOGY

The study will deal with research designed, procedure use in carrying out investigation about any prevailing circumstances. However methodology refers to the method a researcher adopt in the collection of necessary information about research on block industries in keffi town.

1.7  SOURCE OF DATA

1. Primary Data: – This data is collected directly by the researcher from administered questionnaire, oral interviews and observation. This will include public attitude such as: feeling, participation and understanding as shell be measured by liker scale and from questionnaires. The source will be from the despondence.
2. Secondary Data:- secondary data shall include materials from published and unpublished source and records that have to do with land sub-division.

1.8`   METHOD AND INSTRUMENT OF DATA COLLECTION

The instruments used are questionnaires, oral interview and library review.

1.9 QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD

One questionnaire was prepared and distributed containing 32 items and was administered to respondents using the systematic sampling method. A total of 204 questionnaires were administered to the respondents, this is done to elicit information from the respondent alike on sector proposal block molding industries in keffi L.G.A.

1.10 ORAL INTERVIEW

Oral interview were conducted in KEFFI. The purpose of this, is to clarify issues that were not contained in the questionnaire and also to determine why the respondent respond the way the did to certain questions. The two methods above formed the source of primary data used for this investigation.

1.11 LIBRARY REVIEW

The major source of secondary data was materials from books, journal, magazine, internet (search Engine) and other related previous research works. These materials were found must useful in literature review. Private and public library were also consulted.

1.12 RESEACH POPULATION

A research population of 5092 was taken, 204 questionnaires were administered and collected. 1:4 sampling frame was adopted and 4% of sample survey was carried out.

1.13SAMPLING METHOD

Systematic sampling procedure was adopted for respondents. The area was divided into two and each of these area, 102 questionnaires were distributed given a total of 204 questionnaires.

1.14 INSTRUMENT USED FOR DATA ANALYSIS

This include, table, figures, percentage, and bar chart were used to classify analysis and evaluate the data collected from the field survey in order to present an understanding and clean picture of the field data.

SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGY TECHNQUES PROCEDURE

• Total population            5092
• Sample size                    4%
• Sample frame                 1:4
• Number of questionnaire         204
• Sampling method           Systematic sampling technique