Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria (Published)
Nigerian markets have been facing the problem of bomb blasts and they occur mostly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and northern part of the country. Thus, conducting a research in FCT market became necessary, since it is located in Nigeria; the aim was to evaluate the architectural and other safety measures against bomb blasts in the market, in order to generate guidelines to improve security in Nigeria. 419 sales points were studied and questionnaires were administered to 419 buyers in the market via random sampling method, in order to obtain the primary research data. Focus group discussions that were made up of five buyers were organised in conjunction with direct observation schedule in the market to also obtain the primary research data. The secondary research data were gotten from the reviews of relevant literatures to this study. Tables and photographs were used to analyse the data of this research. Among the findings from this research are: there are no adequate architectural design against bomb blasts in the market, and the vehicles that are gaining access into the market are not well checked against bomb blasts. Among the recommended guidelines are: adequate architectural design against bomb blasts should be provided in Nigerian markets, and the security personnel should be properly checking the incoming vehicles against bomb blasts in markets in Nigeria.
Citation: Odaudu U.S., Ekule A.A., Idachaba M.K., Nuhu A.A., and Abdul C.I. (2022) Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria, International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology Studies, Vol.10, No.3, pp.68-82
Keywords: Guidelines, Nigeria, Security, bomb blasts, markets
Evaluation of Architectural and Other Safety Measures Against Bomb Blasts in Market: An Avenue to Improve Security in Nigeria (Published)
Nigerian markets have been facing the problem of bomb blasts and they occur mostly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and northern part of the country. Thus, conducting a research in FCT market became necessary, since it is located in Nigeria; the aim was to evaluate the architectural and other safety measures against bomb blasts in the market, in order to generate guidelines to improve security in Nigeria. 419 sales points were studied and questionnaires were administered to 419 buyers in the market via random sampling method, in order to obtain the primary research data. Focus group discussions that were made up of five buyers were organised in conjunction with direct observation schedule in the market to also obtain the primary research data. The secondary research data were gotten from the reviews of relevant literatures to this study. Tables and photographs were used to analyse the data of this research. Among the findings from this research are: there are no adequate architectural design against bomb blasts in the market, and the vehicles that are gaining access into the market are not well checked against bomb blasts. Among the recommended guidelines are: adequate architectural design against bomb blasts should be provided in Nigerian markets, and the security personnel should be properly checking the incoming vehicles against bomb blasts in markets in Nigeria.
Keywords: Guidelines, Nigeria, Security, bomb blasts, markets
Assessment of the Effects of Plants on Market Environments in Garki of Abuja as an Avenue to Improve Architectural Practices in Nigeria (Published)
The quality of architectural practices in Nigeria with regards to the use of plants for landscape in market buildings is not satisfactory when it is compared with international standards and this is a problem. To reduce this problem, a market in Garki in Abuja was studied with the aim of assessing the effects of plants in its environs, in order to generate guidelines from the research feedbacks to improve architectural practices with regards to the use of plants in the design of Nigerian markets. There are seven regional built-up markets under the control of Federal Capital Territory Markets Management Committee. Out of these markets, a market in Garki was studied via purposive sampling method. The instruments used for the collection of the primary data are questionnaires, focus group discussion and observation schedule. The secondary data were obtained from the review of relevant literature. Among the research findings are: most of the market buildings have no plants for landscape architecture; the use of personal electric power generators for artificial cooling and ventilation due to inadequate circulation of fresh air from plants in and around the market buildings causes fire outbreaks in the market. Among the generated guidelines are: it must be ensured by the Architects that all the market buildings should have plants for landscape architecture at the design stage; however, markets must have general electricity generator houses to minimise the use of personal electric power generators, in order to stop fire outbreaks as a result of their uses for artificial cooling and ventilation.
Keywords: Nigeria, Plants, architectural practices, environs, markets
Examination of the functions of markets in the rural areas of Anambra state Nigeria (Published)
This study examined the functions of markets in the rural areas of Anambra state, Nigeria. This study was carried out to enable one find out the integrative functions of markets as central places in the rural areas of the state. The objectives of the study were to: identify the integrative functions of the markets in the state and identify the communities which are in functional contact with each other on the basis of goods and services provided in the markets. Stratified random sampling procedure was adopted to choose respondents in the study area. A structured questionnaire was constructed and administered to the respondents; the computation was done using centrality coefficient and functional indices. Three hundred and ninety – nine (399) questionnaires were administered to the respondents in the study area. The data collected were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Weighted Mean, Centrality Coefficient, Functional Indices and Nearest Neighbor Analysis; the Centrality Coefficient showed that the markets play essential roles in the socio-economic life of the people and that the markets were in functional contacts with each other. While the Nearest – Neighbor Analysis indicated that the markets were randomly distributed in accordance with the distribution of settlements in the study area. The Principal Component Analysis indicated that the major function of the markets in the study area was that they serve as centers for diffusion of innovation. The researchers concluded that markets are very important in the socio-economic space of an area and that their importance lies in the fact that they provide the channels of socio-economic linkages among the rural people and between the rural economy and the urban economy. The study recommended that the state government should encourage private investors to invest in market development by putting in place adequate logistic and administrative guidelines.
Keywords: central places, functional linkages, integrative functions, markets, rural areas
Analysis of Active Fire Protection Measures in Garki Model Market of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria (Published)
Fire outbreak in market places is a recurring issue in Nigeria, and it is a leading causes of lives and properties loss in Nigerian markets. In order to curtail this problem, an evaluation of active fire protection measures in Garki model market of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria was conducted with the aim of generating guidelines that can reduce the spread of fire outbreaks in Nigerian markets. There are 1,430 sales points in Garki model market. Systematic sampling method was adopted for this study and it was applied at every 5th interval of sales points, in order to get the sample size; as a result of this, 287 sales points were selected. The primary research data were questionnaires administered to the sales people, and the direct observations of the current conditions of the market; likewise, 20 different focus group discussions were organised for the selected sales people. Also, interview questions were administered to the managing company of the market. Among the results are: fire protection devices in the market are not adequate; all the fire hose reels in the market are not in good condition; most of the sales people in the market do not know how to operate firefighting equipment because they do not respond to calls for training on how to use them. Among the recommended guidelines are: the adequacy and functionality of fire protection devices should be ensured by the government of Nigeria and the management authorities of markets in Nigeria; training for the sales people should be enforced by the management authorities of markets in Nigeria, in order to ensure that the sales people know how to operate firefighting equipment.
Keywords: Fire, Guidelines, Nigeria, Protection, markets
EVOLUTIONARY TREND, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF, AND ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MARKETS IN KANO METROPOLIS (Published)
The paper attempts to establish the evolutionary trend and spatial distribution of traditional marketplaces in Kano metropolis and as well evaluates organizational and operational issues that characterized the Kano business landscape on environmental perspectives. The methods used include: Analysis of Satellite Imageries of 2011; Inventory and Field Observation; Use of Official Records; In-depth Interviews; FGD; and Case Study. The results show that there are total of 43 existing markets and as well they are the strength of Kano business landscape. 22 are community markets; 7 metropolitan; 5 regional; and 9 international markets. The evolutionary trend shows that the Kano markets evolved in three main phases namely: the first generation markets; second generation; and the recent or contemporary markets, but unevenly distributed which has been found to have both negative and positive environmental repercussion. Moreover, the business landscape is characterized with the proliferation of super-stores, shopping malls and other trading avenues along major roads and streets which on their own sphere form another kind of market (the unconventional markets). Frequent conflagratory fire outbreak; absence of security and peace due to militant crusade; and operational issues such as inadequate electric power supply; noise pollution and ambient air contamination are the major challenges facing the growth and development of markets and the sustainability index of the entire Kano business landscape. Based on the scenario of Kano business landscape, a descriptive model was drawn which portrays how markets served as central controlling or coordinating unit in terms of interception of supplies and demands and discharging them accordingly. On that direction, it has been postulated that if the operational challenges inherent in the Kano business landscape are overcome and good governance has been sustained, Kano would experienced an industrial breakthrough in about 20 years and it will emerge as the first megalopolis in West Africa. It was therefore recommended that, markets should be included in the economic development plan of Kano; Environmental management system should be put in place; and Good governance should be pursued at all levels; among others.
Keywords: Distribution, Issues, Trend, and Kano, markets
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR HANDICRAFT EXPORTS AND ITS MARKETING (Published)
Being labour intensive and ecofriendly, the handicrafts industry occupies an important place in our economy. The handicraft products of the state have won the worldwide acclaim for their exquisite designs, craftsmanship and functional utility. Handicraft sector has a tremendous potential for foreign exchange earnings and creating more employment opportunities in the state. It requires promotion of handicraft goods of national/international levels. Holding national, international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and interface with the overseas markets will help in this behalf.
Keywords: exchange earnings, handicraft, markets
