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EMPIRICAL DETERMINANTS OF THE DEMAND FOR
RESIDENTIAL HOUSING IN KADUNA, NIGERIA
Biola B. Phillip
Research and Development Centre (RESDEC)
University of Agriculture
Abeokuta, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in Kaduna metropolis, capital of Kaduna State. Nigeria. The primary objective was to examine the structure and determinants of demand for housing in Kaduna metropolis. The demand for residential housing is hypothesized as being dependent on income and the price of housing. The determinants were estimated using regression analysis and it was found that demand was determined by income, price of housing and demographic variables such as household size and number of rooms in the dwelling. The response of demand to income was poor. In other words, the demand for housing for consumption as against investment is income inelastic. Elasticity estimates were in the range of 0.14 to 0.57.
GLOBALIZATION, INEQUALITY AND
THE REGIONAL PROBLEM*
Olabode O. Alokan
Department of Geography
University of Ibadan, Ibadan
ABSTRACT
The internationalization of production and the growing intra-industry trade patterns and investment are two of the most visible aspects of globalization, which have raised the stakes for business transaction for developing countries. Apart from the loss of autonomy and the vulnerability of nation states to borrowing key production technologies from multinational companies, globalization can increase external dependence. Domestically, globalization can exacerbate disparities in regional development and polarize the space economy. This paper therefore examines the key features of globalization and its consequences for the regions in developing countries such as Nigeria. Drawing lessons from the previously developed world and the newly-industrialized countries, this paper attempts to show how globalization can enable the promotion of economic links between regions in order to achieve the desired growth, such as the joint development of products. From the above, inequality is accentuated by the inherent dualism in the application of the globalization concept. The central positions come to the fore in this respect. First, in producing for exports, a distinction should be made between domestic and foreign sub-sectors. Second, not all points (sectors) are suitable for the adoption of globalization, hence attention must be paid to the position of different locations in the spatial division of labour and sectoral spatial specialization, which generates a peculiar problem of regional inequality- the regional problem. This paper therefore suggests the adoption of decentralization from core regions, so that peripheralization may not increase due to the pursuit of global production strategies.
IMPACT OF INTER-URBAN ROAD PASSENGER
TRAFFIC ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEDERAL
CAPITAL TERRITORY OF NIGERIA
Peter Siyan and M. Kwanashie
Department of Economics
University of Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria
siyanjane@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper recommends the introduction of economic variables into interaction studies on traffic and has developed a model to study traffic development in the federal capital territory of Nigeria, Abuja. The basic economic proposition of the paper is that nodal activities require ties between places. The study investigates the effect of four variables namely, distance Dj, industrial establishment Ij, population Pj and school enrolment Ej on the spatial pattern of the volume of traffic generation and attraction into the federal capital territory. The study employed the gravity model to forecast the future volume of traffic generation and attraction to the territory. Our results show that if the distance between the origin and the destination increased by 1km, traffic flow would increase by (0.35) less than one. It was observed that passengers tended to migrate towards large cities and as the distance between the origin and destination increases the volume of flow decreases.
INNOVATION ADOPTION AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF COCOA FARMERS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
R.A. Alabi
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Ambrose Alli University
Ekpoma, Nigeria
bayobimb@yahoo.com
and
T.E. Mafimisebi
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Federal University of Technology
Akure, Nigeria
temafis@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the effect of a number of innovations adopted on the technical efficiency of cocoa farmers in Oyo State. Two hundred and seventy-one (271) cocoa farmers from five reputable cocoa farming local government areas in the study area were randomly sampled. The data obtained from these farmers were analyzed using percentage distribution, t-test and stochastic frontier production function. It was found that the majority of the farmers have contact with extension agents, which indicates a high awareness of the innovations. About 55 per cent of the farmers adopted improved varieties. Pesticide application is the least adopted innovation in the study area. The major factor limiting the adoption of most of the innovations by farmers is high cost. The study also found that the technical efficiency of the farmers declined although their output increased significantly. This implies that besides increasing farmers technical efficiency, the innovations adopted by the farmers must be improved and correctly applied. The number of contacts with extension agents and others factors, which increase the quality and quantity of extension delivery should also be given adequate attention. The agent-farmer ratio should also be increased. The extension agencies should also be strengthened and the agents trained to increase the efficiency of service delivery. Agricultural policy makers should also ensure that the innovations are available at affordable costs in order to increase the adoption rates.
TECHNOLOGICAL LEARNING IN THE
NIGERIAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Oluremi Ogun
Department of Economics
University of Ibadan
Ibadan
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the process of technological learning in the textile industry in Nigeria. Ten firms distributed over the spinning and weaving technologies prevalent in the industry were surveyed. The exporting firms in the sample are generally associated with modern technology and superior performance. There is a notable absence of enhanced learning through research activities in the firms. The major factors accounting for differences in their technological innovations appear to include, the nature of market competition, production and trade objectives, human capital development and availability of finance.
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