@futo.edu.ng
Architecture/ School of Environmental Sciences
Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. Nigeria
Architecture; Urban and Regional Planning; Sustainable Smart Urban Studies (Planning, Design and Management); and Spatial Interaction
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Aigbavboa, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Radin Badarudin Radin Firdaus, Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri, and Godpower C. Amadi
Emerald
PurposeSeveral studies have shown that the mechanism of labour-intensive construction (LIC) projects can mitigate high unemployment and create skilled development, especially in developing nations. The guidelines and practices for implementation may have faced some encumbrances in some countries. Whether the current guidelines and practices for municipal infrastructure support agent (MISA) to execute LIC projects face hindrances in South Africa has yet to receive in-depth studies. Thus, this study attempts to proffer policy solutions to improve the proposed revised guidelines and practices for MISA in LIC project execution in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study's objectives were accomplished via a combination of 16 virtual interviews of built environment professionals and government officials involved in LIC project execution in South Africa and supported by the analysed documents. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data and presented two main themes.FindingsFindings show lax enforcement of discretionary funds, lax institutional capacity and inadequate individual skills, among others, as the gaps in existing South Africa's LIC guidelines and practices. Also, policy solutions to address the gaps were proffered.Practical implicationsThe suggested feasible policies will improve the proposed revised guidelines and practices for MISA in LIC project execution in South Africa. This guide will promote the development of individual skills, institutional capacities and increase employment across South Africa.Originality/valueThis study promotes the use of LIC to create employment and contribute to proffering measures that will improve the proposed revised third edition of the guidelines and practices for MISA to execute LIC.
Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Aigbavboa, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Radin Badarudin Radin Firdaus, Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri, and Godpower Chinyeru Amadi
Informa UK Limited
Andrew Ebekozien, Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri, Angeline Ngozika Chibuike Nwaole, Aginah Lawrence Ibeabuchi and F. Uwadia
Andrew Ebekozien, Matthew Ikuabe, Andrew Igiebor Awo-Osagie, Clinton Aigbavboa, and Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri
Emerald
PurposeSeveral studies have shown that climate change is a threat to sustainable human living and high consumption of energy by buildings is a contributory factor. However, green practices in buildings have been proved as one of the successful technologies to mitigate global warming. Previous studies have shown lax green practices in developing countries’ buildings, but how far concerning green certification of buildings in Nigeria is yet to be explored. Therefore, this paper investigated the barriers to green certification of buildings (GCB). Also, the paper proposed a model for promoting GCB in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachEighteen experts with green building certification knowledge were engaged across three of Nigeria’s cities (Benin City, Abuja and Lagos) via scheduled WhatsApp video and teams calls. Collated interview data were analysed and presented in themes.FindingsFindings show that there is an absence of a framework to promote GCB in Nigeria. Hence, GCB is low across the states. Twelve main sub-themes emerged as the barriers to GCB in Nigeria. Also, eight key sub-themes emerged as the possible concepts that can be used to improve GCB in Nigeria and formulated into a proposed framework to promote GCB in Nigeria.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to GCB in Nigeria and only 18 participants were engaged. Thus, this paper suggests that a mixed-methods approach should be conducted in future studies with wider coverage. This may assist to validate the paper’s findings.Practical implicationsFindings from this paper will stir up practitioners in green building and influence the promotion of GCB in the sector. As part of this study’s implications, suggestions through the paper’s proposed framework will benefit Nigeria’s policymakers to make decisions towards achieving GCB. This can be achieved via the proposed framework to promote the concept across Nigeria.Originality/valueThis paper is probably the first that attempted to investigate the barriers and proffer policy solutions via a framework to promote GCB in Nigeria and by extension in other developing countries.
Andrew Ebekozien, Osagie Ebekozien, and Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that emitted electromagnetic field from telecommunication tower is possibly a threat to residents’ health within the mast location. However, Nigerian residents’ perception to live in mast location is yet to be researched in detail. This study examined the factors that influence residents’ perception and willingness to live in telecommunication mast locations and proffer possible solutions to mitigate residents’ concerns regarding likely health hazards. This was achieved consecutively. First, the developed questionnaire survey was conducted with 420 respondents, drawn from the six south-south states in Nigeria. This includes residents, academicians, environmentalists, government agencies, and medical experts. Second, results from the quantitative phase were further analyzed via face-to-face interviews in conjunction with observation in selected 40 mast stations across the research area. Factors that influence resident’s willingness to live near the telecommunication masts were identified and grouped into three (physical, health, and environmental factors). As part of the study’s implications, findings from this paper will enhance policymakers and other stakeholders in decision-making concerning resident’s perception to live in mast locations. The government should set up a regulatory agency for non-ionizing radiation protection with a mandate, among others were proffered to mitigate possible health threats and concerns of the residents.
Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Aigbavboa, and Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Recent studies showed that physical distancing and proper hygiene measures mitigate the fast spread of COVID-19. But how far the informal urban settlements residents can adhere to these and other measures are yet to receive in-depth studies in Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated the level of residents’ compliance and proffer possible solutions that will mitigate the pandemic spread. Five cities across Nigeria were engaged as the case study via a phenomenology type of qualitative research. The study combined MAXQDA 2020 with thematic analysis to describe the data. Findings show that majority of the informal urban settlements in Nigeria can enhance the spread of COVID-19. As part of this paper’s implications, findings will strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders regarding effective control measures and propose measures possibly to be adopted by other developing countries with similar attributes in the informal urban settlements.
Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Aigbavboa, Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri, and Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim
Emerald
PurposeThe occurrence of fire accidents in hospital buildings has become a serious challenge and more serious in developing nations. The purpose of this paper intends to assess fire safety measures in Nigerian hospital facilities. The significance of this study is to ensure that the design and construction of hospital facilities enhance the safety of users and properties.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via a case study and questionnaire survey and administered to the facility users. The study survey is to assess the respondents' perception of fire safety measures in hospital facilities and suggest possible policy measures that will be employed to enhance safety.FindingsThis paper found that 91% of the respondents have awareness of fire safety measures in hospital facilities. Electrical faults and combustible materials were identified as the frequent causes of fire occurrences in hospital facilities. This can be averted where flammable materials and electrical appliances are correctly installed, and safety rules enforced. Findings show that safety rules are lax in public than standard private hospitals.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to fire safety measures in Nigerian healthcare facilities. Future research is needed to evaluate the level of compliance from design, construction and post-construction of precautionary fire safety measures in hospital facilities in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that designers and hospital administrators should improve on fire safety measures via the development of fire safety management plan and education. Thus, enforcement of fire safety measures in hospital facilities as specified in building codes should be implemented and monitored during and after the design of the hospital buildings. Findings provide valuable lessons on how to improve the fire safety measures in healthcare facilities across the states and other developing countries with similar healthcare situations.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the stakeholders, especially government agencies concern with approval and enforcement of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities need to reawaken to her responsibility because of the lax implementation across the states.