Saturday, August 31, 2019

Team Work Effectiveness

There are many standard to evaluate where a team work effectively. According to Mcshane, Olekalns, Travaglione (2011), a team is effective when it benefits its organization, its member and its own survival. Based on my experience I feel that a team work effectively not only when it finishes its objective on time and accurately, but it also motivates its member in order to survival. Motivation can increase responsibility of members in working. Being responsible in teamwork is very important because teamwork is a group of people who depend on each other to finish objective. As a result, when any members are not responsible for their tasks other people will feel uncomfortable or even angry, which can influence negatively to results. For example, in week 5, our team played role as ML team which had to provide ID and pass of keepandshare website for whole class. Unfortunately, we got trouble when account had not worked. Additionally, this is the first time we work in team; therefore, some problem still happen. To be more specific, sometimes in our team, there are still some arguments contributes to debate and then, members feel uncomfortable and we did the tasks not very well. What is more, an effective team also depends a lot on leadership. Mcshane, Olekalns, Travaglione (2011) claim that an effective leader always want to create good working environment for members and support them willingly instead of put leadership on the position of power. During short-time I led my team, I’ve learned that this point is reality because, for example, sometimes I did not understand feeling of other members in my team so some feel unconfident and results were affected negatively. There are some solutions to make a team more effective. Firstly, an effective team should have clarity of direction. Each team member has to have a specific purpose when working so as to focus on the main jobs. When everyone has a clear goal, the team can work efficiently, so the team effectiveness could be greater. Secondly, it is necessary to create an appropriate structure and strict rules to build an effective team. There are some different people in one team so that there are competing interests and personality clashes in team and that could lead to conflicts between members. Therefore, leader has a very important role in the team. The leader must contribute some rules to clarify for the team what is and is not acceptable behavior. Furthermore, leadership requirement for contributing an effective team is that the team has the appropriate skills to succeed. A common think in constructing teams is that having enough members to work on the objectives will lead to team effectiveness. It is a common mistake because more people does not mean more effective if they are not the suitable people for what is being asked to do. The leader is responsible for making sure that the team has sufficient skills and resources to fulfill its submissions. Finally, one of the most important factors of contributing team effectiveness is the respect. Each team members in one team need to listen many different ideas of other members and respect their ideas. Arguments in the team are good when that lead to an agreement between team members at the end. Each team members should be polite in communication to avoid conflicts which can make the team ineffective.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Key stakeholders in Make A Wish

Make a wish get a lot of supports from companies each year to help make wishes come true some of the companies are:Flight centre limited raise enough money to grant 25 magical wishes to come true. Some of the wishes cost thousands of pounds to make come true especially if they want to go aboard. For example if each flight coast  £2,000and you times that by 25 wishes that make a totally of 50,000 grand.Fairy has been supporting Make-A-Wish since 2004 with its annual Christmas campaign. With specially branded bottles & packs, TV & radio adverts and customer activity, Fairy is helping Make-A-Wish to reach its target of granting magical wishes to every child in the UK living with a life-threatening conditionCadbury is supporting Make-A-Wish in both the UK and Ireland, becoming their largest corporate supporter. They receive a percentage of the profits from Cadbury's bestselling wishes line .As in previous years, 10% of all profits from Cadbury Wishes will be donated to Make-A-Wish.The aims of companies to make sure that Make A wish has enough income coming in to be able to grant the amazing wish but as well to feel that feeling of doing something good to be able to change that one kids life by the money they send in rather than having the money is the bank and sat there doing nothing.by the business showing that they are helping charity people will more likely buy their product. By the company’s supporting charity are showing they are willing to make a change so will hopefully improve the company’s image but also in the long term will buy they product as they are  impressed. Celebrity support/ stakeholdersComedian Kevin James hosted a special charity day of fun for the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Sunday, March 14, and he has enlisted the help of a whole bunch of his celebrity friends. The event happened at Santa Monica Pier for Make-A-Wish children and their families from Los Angeles and surrounding cities. The Santa Monica Pier was closed down for the event as celebrity friends of Kevin and his wife came out to meet the children, and host rides and booths at the Pier. Born with a life-threatening degenerative heart condition,.To keep his tough spirit alive, he asked his wish granters from Make-A-Wish Northern West Virginia if he could meet his powerful idol – The Rock. Make-A-Wish’s partnership with WWE make this a successful arrangement as Spud and his family fly to Toronto for the taping of WWE’s RAW event. Sitting the family on ringside of the stage. Later on announcer informs the fans of a special match. The Rock grapples with Booker T. and â€Å"laid the smack down† just for Spud. The meeting between wish kid and celebrity was truly powerful. When the two friends have to part, they both leave with tears.â€Å"The Great One† says goodbye with a tear in his eye and one running down his cheek, while Spud cries openly from happiness. WWE officials say they’ve never seen The Rock cry before. An 11-year-old who has Leukaemia performed the coin toss at this year’s Wimbledon men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Andy Murray thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Andy Murray. Also Andy Murray made 12 year old Elijah wish come true. Elijah was able to watching him train but also play a few games with him. Later on in the day Elijah and his mate who also have cancer took their seats to watch the centre court actionMake a wish have over 120 celebrities that support the charity. Doing this like meeting the children or even donating money to help more wishes come trueThe aims of the celebrities are to give up some of their free time and make a child wish come true. To be able to just meet up with that famous person will make the child forget all about their medical treatment or what is going on They are living their dream. The celebrities only need to spend a  few hours or even a day with the dying child to know they have made a big difference i n that child life. By them helping out with the children their image improves because people see that they are making dying children and people will like them better but they are using their free time to make the world a better place.Volunteers/ Staff VolunteersThe Volunteers are the mean reason why make a wish is able to run. It thanks to around 7,954 thousand people that work full time to help make wishes come true. There are around 30,000 volunteers around the world that work part time or in their free time. The aim for volunteers is to see a smile on a dying child face and know that they will die happy. They don’t get paid for doing this. By them not getting paid, Make A Wish is able to grant so many more wishes.I believe that the volunteers should get a medal or something because they are amazing. They don’t ask anything in return but just to be able to see that smile on that one child face. They make such a big different in the number of wishes that they are able to grant. Volunteer would like Make A Wish to expanding even more in the next few years and by being able to do that. More wishes will be able to expand around the world. Which willStaffThe staff as also a big reason why Make A Wish is able to work. The aims for the staff are to make sure that everything is running smoothly but also they have to organise the wishes. They make them come true which is a lot of pressure because it’s that child idea, their wish. Also the staffs have to make sure they have enough money to grant the wishes additionally they have to help the volunteers.â€Æ' In conclusion all the stakeholders work so hard to Make A wish happen. Each stakeholder does their own bit which is really important to make the charity happen. The staffs are one can are the main organise of Make A Wish. Without them you are not about to run a functional charity. You need people to help you organise fund raisers but they are in control of money so how much a wish will cost. They have to organise the wish from booking the flights or calling the celebrities up.The Volunteers are also a big part because without them you would have a big charity but also there would not be as many wishes granted as they’re is now. The volunteer bring is so much money in 2012 they brought in (see below). Without their help the cost of staff would be so much bigger which will lead to fewer wishes. Hopefully in the next few years there will be so many more volunteers which will mean more income which leads to more children wishes coming true. The volunteers don’t ask for much in return but just to be able to see that dying child last wish come true and to be able to see that big smile which could light up the whole room.The Celebrity support is so a big thing because they help make wishes come true. Without them giving up some of their time many wishes would not be able to come true. By them just knowing their story and name will just blow them away. With role m odel in the same room as them and living their dream with them. The Companies also help keep Make A Wish running because they bring in a lot of money.For example Cadbury is their largest corporate supporter. 10% of all profits from Cadbury Wishes will be donated to Make-A-Wish. And many more companies help but not by just giving money but making Make A Wish seem and well known. For example Fairy liquid put make on the front of their bottles showing that they are supporting but additionally trying to get them well known. Sometimes a company will sponsor a wish. So will pay for the whole wish to come true.ChairThe role that the Chair of the Board plays is different from all the other roles on the Board. It is Amy job to ensure that the Board operates as a team. She has to think about how to get the best out of each and every member of the Board. Amy’s role can be summed up in the term â€Å"leader†.Vice chairThe role of Gilli is to carry out the chairs duties in her abse nce, but only with the acknowledgement of the board as being capable and appropriate to do so. Gilli will also provide support and assistance to Amy.TreasurerThe job role of Tim is to watch over all the financial  affairs of the Make A Wish and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice. Also ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.SecretaryAre responsible for ensuring that the Make A Wish complies with its governing document, charity law and more. Judy is also responsible for ensuring that board meeting, annual general meetings and extraordinary general meeting run effectively.DirectorEach director is the leading of Make A Wish in their country. Each role is the same but with different people in different countries. The job of the directors is to make sure that Make A Wish is running smoothly but also making sure that the dying children are getting the benefit of Make A Wish.Key stakeholders in Hobbs h ouse bakery Trevor Herbert:Is the Managing Director of Hobbs House Bakery. As the managing director he is responsible of the daily operation of the company. The aim for Trevor Herbert to make sure that the business is working well and being in a profit.Clive WellsIs the Operations Director of Hobbs House Bakery. The main responsibilities Clive wells is handling the logistics of the business, preparing budgets and inventories and overseeing the supervision of employees. The aim for Clive wells is to make sure that the business runs smoothly by budgets things so that they are not wasting money.Sam WellsIs the Retail Director of Hobbs House Bakery. Retail manager ensure the promotions are accurate and merchandised to Hobbs House Bakery. The aims of Sam wells is to maximise profit while minimising costsTom HerbertIs the Sales and Marketing Director of Hobbs House Bakery .Toms job is to accomplish business development activities by doing research and developing market opportunities and p lans; implementing sales plans and managing the staff. The aim is to market Hobbs House Bakery so they have more customer which leads to more profit.George HerbertIs the Sales Director of Hobbs House Baker. George job is to sort out any outstanding sales, more consistent and innovative products and services for all their customers. The aim for George is to make sure that the business sale enough to keep running and sort out any outstanding sales.Bafana NcubeIs the Non-Executive Director of Hobbs House Baker. Bafana job is a non-working director of Hobbs House Bakery she is not an executive director and, therefore, does not take part in the day to day running of the business. The aims for Bafana is to make sure that the business is running smoothly but also help Trevor make decisionsCustomersIs a main part of the why Hobbs House Bakery is running because if it wasn’t for them there would be no income so the business would go bust. The aim of the customers is to buy things that they like but also give feedback on what they like and would improve.Local schoolsAre a stakeholder because school go into the bakery and learns about how it is ran which help student learn better. The aims of the school are for the students to learn about how to make a successful business but also get Hobbs House Bakery well known.SuppliersAs the suppliers they help to make Hobbs House Bakery run. Their aim is to provide them with the best flour, eggs and more. So that Hobbs house bakery will stay with them which in term will make them more profit.People that fix the machinesIf they lose Hobbs House Bakery then they will have less income coming in. The aims are to keep them happy so they will keep on using their service.CompetitorsThey keep Hobbs House Bakery on their toe and always needing to come up with new things so that they can keep the customers. There aims is to have more customers than them but on the other hand they working with them so they get more customers.Local busi nessBecause Hobbs House Bakery is well know because come to the high street to go to their shops. While people are in the high street they may go into different shop which brings in more income into the local businesses. The aim is to make Hobbs House Bakery more successful because they will bring in more customers.Local CouncilHobbs House Bakery have to pay business tax but also get health and safety checks. The aim of the Local Council is to keep Hobbs House Bakery running so they get their money http://hobbshousebakery.co.uk/our-directors/sam-welThe Volunteers are also a big part because without them you would have a big charity but also there would not be as many wishes granted as they’re is now. The volunteer bring is so much money in 2012 they brought in (see below). Without their help the cost of staff would be so much bigger which will lead to fewer wishes. Hopefully in the next few years there will be so many more volunteers which will mean more income which leads to more children wishes coming true.The volunteers don’t ask for much in return but just to be able to see that dying child last wish come true and to be able  to see that big smile which could light up the whole room. The Celebrity support is so a big thing because they help make wishes come true. Without them giving up some of their time many wishes would not be able to come true. By them just knowing their story and name will just blow them away. With role model in the same room as them and living their dream with them.The Companies also help keep Make A Wish running because they bring in a lot of money. For example Cadbury is their largest corporate supporter. 10% of all profits from Cadbury Wishes will be donated to Make-A-Wish. And many more companies help but not by just giving money but making Make A Wish seem and well known. For example Fairy liquid put make on the front of their bottles showing that they are supporting but additionally trying to get them well known. Sometimes a company will sponsor a wish. So will pay for the whole wish to come true.Chain of command Amy Nauiokas United kindom/ USA ChairGilli Sinclair New Zealand Vice ChairTim Kilpin United states TreasurerJudy gifford Canada SecretoryChairThe role that the Chair of the Board plays is different from all the  other roles on the Board. It is Amy job to ensure that the Board operates as a team. She has to think about how to get the best out of each and every member of the Board. Amy’s role can be summed up in the term â€Å"leader†.Vice chairThe role of Gilli is to carry out the chairs duties in her absence, but only with the acknowledgement of the board as being capable and appropriate to do so. Gilli will also provide support and assistance to Amy.TreasurerThe job role of Tim is to watch over all the financial affairs of the Make A Wish and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice. Also ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.SecretaryAre responsible for ensuring that the Make A Wish complies with its governing document, charity law and more. Judy is also responsible for ensuring that board meeting, annual general meetings and extraordinary general meeting run effectively.DirectorEach director is the leading of Make A Wish in their country. Each role is the same but with different people in different countries. The job of the directors is to make sure that Make A Wish is running smoothly but also making sure that the dying children are getting the benefit of Make A Wish.Key stakeholders in Hobbs house bakeryTrevor Herbert:Is the Managing Director of Hobbs House Bakery. As the managing director he is responsible of the daily operation of the company. The aim for Trevor Herbert to make sure that the business is working well and being in a profit.Clive WellsIs the Operations Director of Hobbs House Bakery. The main responsibilities Clive wells is handling the logi stics of the business, preparing budgets and inventories and overseeing the supervision of employees. The aim for Clive wells is to make sure that the business runs smoothly by budgets things so that they are not wasting money.Sam WellsIs the Retail Director of Hobbs House Bakery. Retail manager ensure the promotions are accurate and merchandised to Hobbs House Bakery. The aims of Sam wells is to maximise profit while minimising costsTom HerbertIs the Sales and Marketing Director of Hobbs House Bakery .Toms job is to accomplish business development activities by doing research and developing market opportunities and plans; implementing sales plans and managing the staff. The aim is to market Hobbs House Bakery so they have more customer which leads to more profit.George HerbertIs the Sales Director of Hobbs House Baker. George job is to sort out any outstanding sales, more consistent and innovative products and services for all their customers. The aim for George is to make sure tha t the business sale enough to keep running and sort out any outstanding sales.Bafana NcubeIs the Non-Executive Director of Hobbs House Baker. Bafana job is a non-working director of Hobbs House Bakery she is not an executive director and, therefore, does not take part in the day to day running of the business. The aims for Bafana is to make sure that the business is running smoothly but also help Trevor make decisionsCustomersIs a main part of the why Hobbs House Bakery is running because if it wasn’t for them there would be no income so the business would go bust. The aim of the customers is to buy things that they like but also give feedback on what they like and would improve.Local schoolsAre a stakeholder because school go into the bakery and learns about how it is ran which help student learn better. The aims of the school are for the students to learn about how to make a successful business but also get Hobbs House Bakery well known.SuppliersAs the suppliers they help t o make Hobbs House Bakery run. Their aim is to provide them with the best flour, eggs and more. So that Hobbs house bakery will stay with them which in term will make them more profit.People that fix the machinesIf they lose Hobbs House Bakery then they will have less income coming in. The aims are to keep them happy so they will keep on using their service.CompetitorsThey keep Hobbs House Bakery on their toe and always needing to come up with new things so that they can keep the customers. There aims is to have more customers than them but on the other hand they working with them so they get more customers.Local businessBecause Hobbs House Bakery is well know because come to the high street to go to their shops. While people are in the high street they may go into different shop which brings in more income into the local businesses. The aim is to make Hobbs House Bakery more successful because they will bring in more customers.Local CouncilHobbs House Bakery have to pay business ta x but also get health and safety checks. The aim of the Local Council is to keep Hobbs House Bakery running so they get their money http://hobbshousebakery.co.uk/our-directors/sam-wells

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Foreign Direct Investment in Egypt Essay

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is investment directly into production in a country by a company located in another country, either by buying a company in the target country or by expanding operations of an existing business in that country. Foreign direct investment is done for many reasons including to take advantage of cheaper wages in the country, special investment privileges such as tax exemptions offered by the country as an incentive to gain tariff-free access to the markets of the country or the region. In the global economy today, we see many developing countries competing for foreign direct investment. FDI is said to be an important factor for spurring the development of a nation. Foreign direct investment (FDI) an important vehicle for economic growth in emerging markets countries. Since 2006/2007, Egypt has become the leading attractor of overall foreign direct investment (FDI) on the African continent. Up till 2008, Egypt has attracted 56 foreign investment companies in the textile sector, employing 14,169 workers with total investment value of $ 172. million, and total production value of $ 370. 6 million. Furthermore, Egyptian-Foreign joint venture companies totaled 150; employing 30,635 workers; with an investment of $ 515 million, and a total production value of 509. 4 million in 2008. Egypt has experienced profound political changes over the past two years. On February 11, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule came to an end under intense popular pressure as hundreds of thousands of Egyptians converged on Tahrir Square. Transition to democratic rule has been marked by advances and challenges. Egypt has seen several prime ministers and multiple cabinet changes since the revolution, and many investors have reported that the constant shuffle and interim tenure of government officials have contributed to a difficult business environment. Nonetheless, in January 2012 Egypt seated its first parliament elected in free and fair elections, and many of the members have identified increasing foreign investment as a top priority for the government. Even though political uncertainty and economic downturn in Egypt , this African country still present a lot of opportunity to make profit for foreign direct investor especially in textile and apparel industry . Foreign Direct Investment In Egypt Investing in Egyptian Apparel and Textiles Industry 2-Apparel and Textile Industry Egypt is home to the only fully vertically integrated textiles industry in the Middle East, with the entire production process —from the cultivation of cotton to the production of yarns, fabrics and ready-made garments —carried out domestically. Egypt is the largest producer in Africa and worldwide of long (LS) and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton, accounting for 50 percent of world production in 2008, it has built a brand reputation for its quality of cotton. The sector plays an extremely central role in the Egyptian economy. It is the second largest producing sector after agro-industry and the first in terms of jobs accounting form30% of local employment in 2008. It accounts for 3% of the GDP, 30% of industrial output and around 13% of Non-Petroleum exports in 2010 / 2011, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. There are more than 6,700 textile-related companies registered with the Industrial Development Authority. The power player within the sector is readymade garments (RMG), worth 75% of the textile and garment industry. The RMG subsector produced more than 313million pieces in 2009, with global brands such as Marks & Spencer, GAP, Wal-Mart, Levi Strauss, Target and Calvin Klein sourcing from and investing in Egypt. Of the 25% of the industry focused on textile production, home textiles constitute 12% of the industry, and cotton yarn 8%, while the remaining 5% is attributed to other cotton fabrics and textiles. The majority of spinning (50%), weaving (60%) and hemming (60%) capacity is owned by the public sector while 90% of garmenting capacity is private. For the spinning and weaving industry, medium-to large-scale companies dominate the industry with a strong public sector presence in spinning and weaving. The government’s strategy is to boost exports to the European garment market by moving up the quality ladder in garments, vertically integrating the garment production value chain (e. g. use local extra-long staple (ELS) cotton, improve design and patternmaking offering) and defending leadership in low-end garmenting by establishing strong brands at both country and supplier levels. Also on the agenda is restructuring the domestic textile industry by privatizing mills and leveraging on low cost and provided labor in addition to large domestic supply of high-quality cotton. Currently, the main markets for the sector were EU countries with about 34% of total exports in 2010, Arab c ountries and USA with 16% and15% respectively, according to General Organization of Export and Import Council (GOEIC) 3- Country Summary As one of the most influential nations in the Middle East, Egypt has encountered mixed success in transitioning from an economy driven by natural resources to one with a healthy amalgam of industry and services over the past 50 years. Although it has successfully diversified its economy, Egypt remains one of the poorest of its regional neighbors on the basis of per-capita income, and a succession of unstable governments have left the nation with inconsistent political institutions, weakening social infrastructure, and a legacy of corruption. Long-term national competitiveness will require a clear economic strategy and continuity of effort. Egyptian cotton is recognized globally for its unmatched quality, fueling a textile cluster that has historically been an important component of the national economy. Bolstered by superb endowments and several advantageous related industries, the textile cluster faces new challenges as falling structural barriers to trade boost the intensity of global competition Egypt is located strategically between the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea, at the crossroads of Africa and southwest Asia. Bordering Sudan, Libya, and Israel, Egypt is home to the Nile, the longest river in the world. The nation’s rapid population growth from 23M citizens in 1960 to 83M today —has increased Egypt’s regional importance but also deeply changed Egypt’s character. Egyptian urban areas have become some of the most crowded in the world, with Cairo itself recently laying claim to the title of world’s most densely-populated city. Agriculture is similarly constrained; only 3% of the country’s total land mass was under cultivation in 2008 (AFDB, 2009). By 2010, Egypt was the fourth-largest economy in the Middle East. Recent economic performance has been positive, with 4. 75% annual GDP growth from 2001 to 2010. Per capita GDP remains relatively low compared to regional peers. Egypt’s economy is diversified as compared to its largest regional neighbors, many of which depend heavily on commodity petroleum exports (Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE). As of 2010, the largest sector in the economy was the manufacturing sector (16. 9%), followed by mining (14. 4%), and agriculture (14%). Exports are concentrated in the hospitality and tourism, transport and logistics, and petroleum products clusters. Egypt’s shifting export product mix over the past 20 years is symptomatic of a broader economic change —from a singularly natural resource-focused economy to one that is less factor driven. Egypt’s national competitiveness is aided by favorable endowments and some positive microeconomic elements, ranking 63rd out of 138 countries in business sophistication and 26th in market size. But Egypt has been hamstrung by adverse macroeconomic conditions, ranking only 129th in macroeconomic environment, 133rd in labor-market efficiency. Egypt’s strongest competitive advantages lie in its natural endowments. The country’s position at the crossroads of three continents has made it a historic trading hub, amplified by the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869. Roughly 10% of the world’s maritime volume has passed through Egyptian waterways, and the canal spawned a robust shipping and logistics cluster that facilitates export of goods like textiles. The Nile Delta, an area of northern Egypt where the Nile River spreads into distributaries and drains into the Mediterranean Sea, has served as Egypt’s breadbox for over five millennia (Baines, 2011). Twenty years of redistributive economic policies have left Egypt with inefficient, low-quality social institutions —the nation boasted a 29% illiteracy rate despite 96% enrollment in primary education. In an economy characterized by a high degree of centralized planning, Egypt spent only3. 7% of its government budget on education and 6% on healthcare. Corruption and unreactive centralized economic planning constitute major challenge to Egyptian macroeconomic competitiveness. a- Background To Business in Egypt Egypt has recently been through the most profound of changes with a popular revolution, widely referred to as ‘ the Arab Spring’, sweeping away the decades long, semi-totalitarian rule of Hosny Mubarek and replacing it with†¦? Time will tell how successful the putative new, democratic institutions will be but despite all of this Egypt remains one of the fastest growing economies in the world and a country which many economists predict will become increasingly successful and influential in the region. Egypt is, in a strange way, both a secular and a religious state and it is worth bearing these two important strands in mind on any business trip to the country. It could be said that the Egyptian economy is ‘mixed’ in two vital, but differing ways. Firstly, many businesses were nationalized after independence, during the prolonged period of ‘Arab socialism’ which typified the Egyptian approach in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The government still plays a vital role in setting both business and macro-economic agendas but the past couple of decades have seen the proliferation of larger-scale private companies which may be locally (usually family) owned or joint-venture operations with overseas conglomerates. Secondly, companies fall into the category of either Islamic or non-Islamic in orientation. Those companies which are Islamic in orientation will govern their approach to business through the strict interpretation of classical Shari’a law which impacts on such varied issues as attitudes to borrowings, shareholder profile and HR policies. Before entering into business negotiations in Egypt it is important to do some homework on any potential contacts. Is the company state-owned or private; is it Islamic or secular in approach? b- Egyptian Business Structures Many companies in Egypt operate according to Islamic, rather than secular law and this impacts on a number of key areas of business structure and performance. One key issue is that, due to Islamic strictures on avoiding usury, the difference between companies and banks are less defined than in western economies. Companies tend to be financed through a combination of equity capital and short-term loans where the lenders do not charge interest but take a share of profits or losses (PLS loans. ) Thus all risks are shared equally amongst the shareholders and lenders. In addition, many companies have a religious Supervisory Board comprised of Islamic jurists whose role is to ensure that the company’s operations comply with the strictures of Shari’a law. Thus employees must be Muslims and work stops for the regulatory prayer sessions every day. Firms are expected to make reasonable, but not excessive, profit and managers have a social as well as corporate responsibility – they are expected to balance the interests of the company with the interests of society at large. None of the above applies to the workings of those firms that are non-Islamic in orientation (remember that 10% of the Egyptian population are Coptic Christians) or joint-ventures with overseas organizations. c- Egyptian Management Style Most Egyptian companies tend towards extremely hierarchical structures and this is reflected in the management style most frequently manifested within these companies. The approach is often described as ‘managing authority consultatively’ which implies the need for discussion without any loss of perceived status or power. Thus Egyptian managers (who are on the whole men) will consult widely with colleagues but be expected to make the final, firm authoritative decision. This decision will rarely, if ever, be delegated to a subordinate – even if the subordinate is a member of the family. After a decision has been reached, subordinates are expected to follow it to the letter and dispute or criticism are not expected or appreciated. Thus consultation has a ‘socializing’ aspect within an organization, but questions have to be asked as to the true extent of its impact on any final decisions. Management is expected to be cautious and not take too many risks – thus decision-making can seem extremely slow and cumbersome by US standards. It is also important to remember that religious considerations could form an important element in the final decision – something Western businessmen often forget within the negotiating process. It is important to factor this into any negotiating stance. d- Egyptian Business Meetings As in most of the Arab world, personal relationships are key to a successful meeting and good quality relationships can help to cut through the tendency towards an overly bureaucratic approach. Who you are and who you know really matter and for that reason it is often important to appoint a local go-between who has ready-made contacts who can operate on your behalf ‘ (and local often means local to the city or town. ) Initial meetings can often seem very formal to western businessmen and involve coffee, cake and lots of small talk – even when time is very short. Do not make the mistake of seeing these formalities as a waste of valuable time, as they form an integral part of the early relationship-building process. If time is not restricted, these formalities can start to eat away at the day and it is sometimes difficult to schedule more than one meeting per day. If concrete issues are discussed, it is advisable to ensure that specific actions are agreed upon and that individuals are tasked to perform them. If this is not done, things can very often drift and several months can elapse without any discernible progress being made. Time is very elastic and agreed start and finish times should not be relied upon. Patience is very necessary. It is not a good idea to arrange meetings on a Friday (or even Thursday) as these are the days of rest. It is advisable to travel to Egypt on business with a good supply of gifts, which can be given to key contacts. Gifts should be small and it is quite a good idea if they convey something of where you come from. However, when giving gifts be conscious of Muslim sensitivities and avoid the following: alcohol, pork, pigskin, perfumes with alcohol e- Egyptian Teams Working Teams revolve around a strong leader who usually allocates tasks rather than specific roles or functions. Individuals within the team expect direct access to and feedback from the leader. Thus teams tend to be more a grouping of individuals working independently towards a common objective. Many private companies are family-run and owned and family members would fill most management positions. Thus, the most obvious team grouping in a typical private company would be family-oriented but even this would be fairly hierarchical in nature. f- Egyptian Communication Styles  As in most of the Arabic world, people stand quite close to one another when communicating and many other cultures may feel that their personal space has been invaded. When this close proximity is coupled with strong same-sex eye contact and large amounts of tactility, many overseas business people can feel extremely uncomfortable. When attempting to build good relationships it is important that these differences in approach to body language do not become a barrier. Arabic conversation can be very hyperbolic with much use of flowery language and flattery. This is a protocol of the language and is expected. Do not misinterpret this approach as insincerity or a tactic. Try to express yourself in a similar fashion – especially when establishing relationships. It may sometimes appear that Egyptians are shouting at each other and in the throes of a very heated, acrimonious argument. Remember that emotion is used to convey conviction and that an overly reserved approach could be misconstrued as detachment or even lack of interest. Egyptians are proud of their country and Egyptian achievements (both ancient and modern. ) Egypt’s standing in the world, its history and local sport are all positive topics of conversation. However it is best to avoid discussing political issues or enquiring about female relatives of business acquaintances. When dealing with government officials, it is important to learn the titles of any contacts as titles are of considerable importance, denoting hierarchy and status. Do not address government officials in a familiar way unless specifically requested to do so. g- Women in Business in Egypt Women play a much less significant role in business life than in the West but are more active than in the Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia. Most senior business people are men, but it may be possible to meet a senior female employee. There would tend to be more women in prominent positions in joint-ventures, family businesses and companies owned by Coptic Christians. When dealing with women in business in Egypt keep a respectful, professional distance and do not try to ask personal questions. h- Egyptian Dress Code Appropriate dress in Egypt is both conservative and modest. Standard dress for men would be trousers, jacket, and shirt and tie in formal business meetings. Women should dress modestly, wearing long sleeves. Skirts hould be of a reasonable length (not too short). Do not wear native attire, as this might be considered offensive. Top 20 Tips For Doing Business In Egypt Tip 1. It is important to research any company before approaching it in order to determine whether it is state-owned or private and secular or Islamic in orientation. Tip 2. When doing business with an Islamic oriented organization, do not overlook the potential impact of religious issues on any decision- making process. Tip 3. Business is driven by relationships and therefore a great deal of resource and time should be allocated to the development of key contacts. Tip 4.  Who you are and who you know are important issues in Egypt; therefore it can be difficult to break into business without access to the right initial contacts. Tip 5. In order to help develop the all-important initial contacts it is often necessary to appoint a go-between who can arrange meetings and act as a bridge into the culture. Tip 6. It may be necessary to appoint a number of different go-betweens who know the locality (i. e. one for Cairo and one for Alexandria). Tip 7. Egyptian companies tend to be hierarchical and power usually rests in the hands of a small number of key senior managers who make all the major decisions. Tip 8. Managers tend to give direct instructions and subordinates are not expected to show initiative. If something is not specifically requested, it may not get done. Tip 9. Meetings can involve sitting in rooms with unknown people who are simultaneously meeting your contact. In effect, several meetings may take place at the same time. Tip 10. Initial meetings can be very time-consuming and appear to deliver very little in terms of tangible returns. Tip 11. Time is very flexible and meetings may start very late (if at all) and last for many hours. It is difficult to schedule a series of meetings on the same day. Tip 12. Meetings may start with coffee and a great deal of non-business related small talk. Do not try to rush this process Tip 13. It is important to offer lavish compliments to your host – and be prepared to receive them in return. Tip 14. Do not try to do anything on Thursday or Friday and avoid key issues during the month of Ramadan. Tip 15. People may stand much closer to you than you are comfortable with. Try not to back away as this can seem stand-offish. Tip 16. Levels of eye contact are very strong and strong eye ontact denotes sincerity and trustworthiness. Tip 17. Avoid touching anybody with your left hand or pointing feet at people as both of these are seen as extremely rude behaviour. Tip 18. Do not comment on the political situation in the Middle East or make any adverse comments about the influence of Islam. Tip 19. Women are less prominent in business than in the West but play a more prominent role than in some other Middle Eastern countries (i. e. Saudi). Tip 20. Dress conservatively, but very smartly. You will be judged partly on your appearance.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Social contexts and the justification for punishment Essay

Social contexts and the justification for punishment - Essay Example (Zaibert, 2003) The societal justification for the punishment therefore is one of oldest issues which society has been contemplating in different contexts over the period of time. This paper will therefore describe the relationship between the social contexts and the punishment besides providing a discussion about how the concepts about punishment have evolved and why modern society has become tough. Social context is defined in different contexts however, over the period of time the exact definition has kept on changing. Social context is often also described as the circumstances surrounding any given action or story. Social context is also linked with the social identity or with different social variables such as gender, class etc. There are two possible explanations of the punishment and the social context i.e. retributivism as well as the consequationalism. Based on the social context such as gender, class or any action, retributivism suggests that punishment is due because a person deserves it. (Bedau & Erin, 2010) However, over the period of time, this idea has faded and the consequationalism emerged as one of the valid theoretical explanation for the connection between the social context and the justification for the punishment. Utilitarian beliefs suggested that punishment can only be justified if it has the value and use for the society. Punishment is also considered as a mechanism for the social control therefore over the period of time society has shaped the institutions and laws in such manner which can achieve the social control. (Fagan & Meares, 2008). Apart from this, the current day approach to get tough on the punishment therefore is based upon achieving the low rates of crimes. This has been therefore based upon the notion of achieving minimum level of deterrence. The current approach therefore is based upon the notion of achieving a correctional system which is rehabilitative in nature wherein those who commit crimes are

The Ideas of the Preamble Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Ideas of the Preamble - Essay Example The framers had a problem with the assignment of all the powers to one person or branch. They never wanted the happenings of Great Britain to befall them. They needed all the people under the United States to be united into one big nation, hence promoting overall loyalty (Bomboy 135). Establishing Justice Justice to Bomboy (136) entails treating all people equally and with the respect that they deserve. Each individual’s human rights should be clearly spelt out and respected accordingly. In the articles this issue was not well spelt out and many individuals found themselves being treated with bias as compared to others. In a just society, it does not matter where you come from, what you do or your race as all individuals should be treated with equal measure. The article seemed to allow racial segregation in some way, a practice that is full of injustice. The United States’ comprise of people drawn from many races, thus, without clearly condemning racism, the society wou ld be full of injustice (Bomboy 137). This was the reason why the framers saw the need to stress the importance of justice in a society. Insuring Domestic Tranquility Tranquil means calm while domestic refers to home. By stating that the US people need domestic tranquility, it meant that they desired calmness from within the nation (Bomboy 138). Before passing the constitution, the United States had no domestic tranquility. In particular, during the Shay’s Rebellion the congress was driven out of Philadelphia city by the army of its own. This could have been the result of people’s dissatisfaction on how the state was being ruled. The activities taking place during the time depended purely on the congress’ decision. The decisions of the congress were absolute and the people were not given a chance to contribute to the issues of governance. Bomboy (138) asserts this was the reason why the framers started the preamble by saying that, â€Å"We the people†¦Ã¢â‚ ¬  meaning they desired their government to be ruled by the people. Provide For the Common Defense This ideal sought to put emphasis on having united defense rather than divided one. The framers saw it good to have a single defense protecting all the United States instead of each single state setting up its own defense (Bomboy 140). They thought that having a common defense would promote the overall unity among the United States as compared to leaving each state with the responsibility of protecting its own territory. The articles which the US used to govern its people before the adoption of the constitution did not emphasize the importance of having a common defense. They left each state with this responsibility exposing the states to numerous conflicts as they struggled to protect their territories (Bomboy 140). Having a common defense will hold all the United States answerable to one government, consequently reducing conflicts since all territorial issues will be handled by a si ngle party. Promote the general welfare Bomboy (143) defines welfare as the general well being of the people especially in aspects like: happiness, prosperity and fortune. It entails people having social, health, economic and psychological good. The general good as stated in the constitution preamble, refers to the promotion of people’s general well being by the government. This can be done through the provision of good infrastructural facilities, quality education, making healthcare

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Foreign Policy Issues Faced by UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Foreign Policy Issues Faced by UK - Essay Example The three issues of international concern to the U.K. are discussed in greater depth below. Discussion The United Kingdom has been in the forefront of international news lately and these three foreign policy issues are the fight against terrorism, the economic crisis in Europe and the on-going war in Libya of which Great Britain and France took the lead roles for all NATO members in cooperation with the United States of America. The three international issues are important to the United Kingdom because it is leading member of the European Union as well as a major player in the international arena of politics, economy and the oil industry. On the whole, an evaluation of the newspaper's approach to presenting the news will show it tries to present a balanced view of the news, without any sensationalism, slant or any personal opinion either of the reporter or the newspaper's news editors. This is as it should be as the task of any newspaper is to inform its readers and any views on the news should always be properly relegated to the opinion-editorial page (op-ed section). If ever, the personal views of the reporter are largely muted or very subtle an ordinary reader would hardly notice it. The fight against Islamist terrorism is of great interest to the United Kingdom. It is a primary concern to the country as it itself had once been a victim of these terrorists attacks. It was not too long ago when four suicide bombers detonated themselves in a well-coordinated attack by riding on London's trains and set off the bombs back in July 07, 2005 that targeted civilian train passengers. The four bombers declared themselves as jihadists and had links to the terror network of Al Qaeda. The recent successes of the American's anti-terrorism efforts should be of good cheer to the English people as well because it implies a safer environment for every British citizen. The killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan back in May this year is a great victory against international ter rorism. The recent news about the assassination of Mr. Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen should be reason enough for a celebration (Hider 1) as this guy in a way had assumed the ideological leadership of Al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden was killed. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States which is the lead agency tasked to fight terrorism overseas had targeted him despite Mr. Awlaki being an American citizen. He is a native American of sorts, having been born in New Mexico but he took up jihad (Dozier and Apuzzo 1) and was responsible for several failed bombing attempts using airplanes also. The second news item of international significance for the United Kingdom is the on-going financial and economic crisis in Europe caused by the risk of default by Greece. The country is one of the strongest economies in Europe, besides Germany and France, It is only expected that it will also play a leading role in resolving this latest debt crisis by contributing to a bailout fund and st amping a seal of approval for any loans to be given out to Greece. But is it also in a quandary of sorts, as the country itself has not yet fully recovered from an earlier financial crisis brought about by the bursting of the American housing sub-mortgage bubble in 2007 and is also suffering from a large budget deficit that has necessitated big cutbacks. Great Britain had seemed headed for a mild economic recovery just six months ago but the situation today has completely deteriorated due

Monday, August 26, 2019

Music Buisness Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Music Buisness Plan - Assignment Example For profit entities major stakeholders include customers and investors while in non-profit entities key stakeholders are donors. On the other hand, business plans that are internally focused embark on attaining intermediate goals so as to reach external objectives. Company description Due to the increased need by individuals to engage in health maintenance programs offered by various SPA centers, my Idea is to establish a music company that will ensure adequate relaxation and enjoyment with the SPA centers. On the Beat Company (OBC) will embark on producing Rhythm and Blues (R&B) music. In this way, the company aims at providing various genre of music that make up the contemporary (R&B) music that includes funks among others. In this way, the company targets both the old and young clients who visit the centers. To expand its capital base, OBC will operate as a limited company. In this way, it will attract more investors who will be focused at contributing a significant capital to rec eive high dividends. OBC mission statement is to provide high quality entertainment that will ensure it capitalize on the expanding music industry across the world. Product and services As mentioned earlier, OBC embark on producing (R&B) music. Do to the high demand of this type of music especially among the young people, the company is focused at expanding its sources of revenue by engaging in various income generating activities that are related to the music industry as outlined in this section. Ringtones OBC will provide an opportunity to ensure that our customers can subscribe for ringtones in monthly bases. Each ringtone will cost US$1. With the partnership of a local mobile company, OBC will provide a framework that will streamline the sharing of profits generated by the monthly subscriptions from our customers. Based on the high number of our customers who owns mobile phones, OBC will generate a significant amount of funds that will enhance our expansion. Selling of albums In order to ensure that our customers can regularly enjoy our services in the health centers and back in their homes, OBC will also embark on selling its albums in the local and international market. Selling and loading of flash disks In the contemporary world, individuals who possess computers like to listen to a wide range of music while undertaking their duties. In this regard, OBC will embark on selling flash disks to our clients and then loading them with music at a fee. In order to attain a competitive advantage, OBC will utilize mobile phones, Ipods and social sites such as twitter and face book to communicate with our customers. As the number of clients who visit the SPA centers increase day by day, we expect our customer base to expand thus increasing our total sales. Marketing plan The new technology in the music industry has resulted into a stiff competition that has forced many companies to depart from the traditional lines that created divisions among the artists and reco rding companies among other stakeholders. In the same way, the growth of music companies has been enhanced as a result of extensive marketing and promotional strategies through free services such as you tube, face book and twitter. One of

Sunday, August 25, 2019

The Mid-Nineteenth Through the Early Twentieth Century Essay - 1

The Mid-Nineteenth Through the Early Twentieth Century - Essay Example He also condemned Christianity as it hindered the development of human instincts. He further went on to state that man can only be saved by the evolution of a superman who would create his rules based on his own instincts. He will not adhere to any set rules or code of conducts that have been imposed by the civilization of mankind. He firmly believed in his principles even during the late 19th century which was heralded as an era of scientific progress and development. Many European scholars considered the thoughts expressed by Nietzsche as an expression of the inner energy of man. Like Nietzsche, Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky also believed that human were irrational and rebellious and did not believe in the era of enlightenment or the age of human reason. He was totally against science and reasoning. He strongly believed that man could not fit into a tailor-made world and that he was bound to undergo suffering and act irrationally in order to assert their individuality. There w as more to the existence of human beings than merely reason and perform worldly duties expected from him. This, he believed, was the freedom of every man as it is created by him and not put down by the society in which he lives.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Service learning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Service learning - Assignment Example This implies that every member of the society is equally important and holds the potential to make positive contributions consequently leading to the overall societal development. Racism is a global problem that can affect anyone since it arguably depends on an individual’s location. For example being white in America and other Western countries is seemingly a free ticket from racism unlike other races such as Asians. However, this privilege is limited to regions where the highest percentage of inhabitants are white. For example, during a tour to Africa with my family we encountered an incident where we were overcharged simply due to the divisions and notions created by race. There was no considerable benefit to the oppressors apart from the extra cash of course. Nonetheless, racism is seemingly double sided since in some instances I get served first regardless there being people from a different race that had arrived earlier. Stereotyping is a common practice in the society and can either be positive or negative. For example, the stereotype that all politicians are selfish or that girls are not good at sports or that all Muslims are terrorists or all women like make-up. Going by this examples it is evident that stereotypes are specific to particular groups such as politicians, girls, Muslims, and women respectively. Additionally, stereotypes are seemingly true but the main contestation is the generalization that is not necessarily true. For example, a relatively high number of women like and frequently use make-up. However, there is also a relatively high number of women who do not wear make-up and in fact do not like it. The theory of voluntary oppression is deeply rooted in the provisions that for oppression to occur one must belong to a group that is facing oppression. This is despite the fact that the particular individual in play may not be directly affected. This implies that an individual is oppressed simply due to the fact that they

Friday, August 23, 2019

Second paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Second paper - Essay Example t France lack sufficient outlets since Germany is situating obstacles of trade, the U.S have become protectionists, huge markets are attenuating causing intricacy in access them as well as the large states empty alien goods into the French markets. He states that currently, competition, demand and supply commandment, liberty of trade, and consequences of conjecture, all exude in a vast circle and this makes it an immense economic intricacy and tremendously grave predicament. Jules argues that it is necessary to take safety measures against the South American market being uncertain and possibly occupied by goods from North America. He maintains that greater races have the right since they have an obligation to advance substandard races. In addition, those European states exonerate themselves with munificence, with sumptuousness and genuineness of the responsibility of advanced civilizing. He affirms that the French colonial development policy has put them below the empire that has led them to Tunisia then to Madagascar. That the policy was stimulated by the verity that a navy like one they have cannot be exclusive of docks that are secure, defenses, as well as delivery centers on the soaring seas. According to Jules, these contemplations advantage the complete interests of nationalists. The naval warfare settings have changed significantly. Refuge, areas of supply, docks for security and provisioning are deeply required and thus the need of Tunisia, Indochina and Saigon, as well as Madagascar. The strengths of the ideas developed by Jules rely majorly on the economic factors brought about by the period. This is in form of exports and trade ties that the two regions benefitted from each other. Since countries like France were weak in form of trade, it would benefit from trade carried out by its neighbors (Ooi 2004). The weakness is in form of policies being implemented by the superior nations. This point can be used by other regions to implement slavery and

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Effective Training Essay Example for Free

Effective Training Essay Human Resource Development or HRD is about the enhancing and widening skills by helping people to grow within the organization, and by enabling them to make better use of their abilities and skills. In an increasingly competitive world, which is the reality for most organizations today, few would disagree with the view that a link should exist between the training and the development that the organization undertakes and the business strategy of that organization (Wilson, 1999). Personnel are now widely regarded as ‘human resources’ with the implication that, like other resources, they are to be valued and carefully managed. The amount of financial resource available for the training and development of employees is not unlimited, necessitating decisions where to deploy training activity to maximum effect, and such decision can only be made if those responsible for ‘Human Resource Development’ or HRD are clear about the organization’s strategy and priorities (Wilson, 1999). An alignment between strategy and training and development is now commonly regarded as good business sense in all corners of the globe, but despite this, there is some evidence from both Europe and the United States that, while at an intellectual level this link is recognized, the practice may be considerably different in many countries. Training and development has traditionally been a functional division of the personnel department concerned with carrying out the identification of training and development needs, planning and designing training, implementing training and evaluating it (Wilson, 1999). Small organization handles the responsibilities of Human Resource Development and its Human Resources by emulating larger organization in the way they implement ways in guiding their personnel to be more productive and skillful. The only difference between small and large organization is on the process or methods they implement their ways due to lesser personnels.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Humor Concept Speech Essay Example for Free

Humor Concept Speech Essay The two clips I showed are ones that I find particularly hilarious. Not for any particular reason other than the fact that I just do. That’s the beauty of humor; it’s not a science, it’s an art. There is no magical equation to making an audience or even a person laugh at every presented joke because each person has their own sense of humor. Today, we’ll be exploring the definition, synonyms and antonyms, how different types of humor are linked to our society and central aspects that make humor so individual centered. The word humor has various definitions. Wikipedia defines humor as the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement; whereas theasarus.com merely defines it as comedy and/or funniness. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humors (Latin: humor, body fluid), control human health and emotion. A few synonyms include amusement, banter and happiness. Antonyms include drama, depression and seriousness. Do you know what the films Super Bad, Tropic Thunder, Anchorman, Animal House, The Hangover, Bridesmaids, Zoolander, Air Plane, Talladega Night, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Juno, Team America: World Police, Wayne’s World and Step Brother have in common? (pause for audience answers, if any) They all ended up on Best comedy lists for their year of release and that decade. Each of these films may have the fact that they are all comedies in common but that is where the similarities end. Each caters to a specific audience and a particular type of humor. Let’s take a look at various television shows of the last few decades. The Cosby Show, Roseanne, The Office, 30 ROCK, Parks and Recreations, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Modern Family, Full House, I Love Lucy, Three’s Company, Will and Grace, Family Guy and Batman. Yes, I said Batman. All of the shows, much like the movies mentioned earlier, apply different techniques and cater to different audiences. The earlier show s such as I Love Lucy, Three’s Company, Batman rely on slapstick humor and exaggeration in order to entertain. It’s a more, simplistic and physical style of comedy. These shows were bit farcical which is merely a comedy of errors. One of those â€Å"I overheard part of s conversation and completely misunderstood the context. Let hilarity in sue. Later on though as our society developed so did the comedy. It moved from farcical to more of a situational comedy, focusing on familial discord. Shows in this genre are Full House, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Roseanne. These shows still strike a chord today due to their relatable situations. The comedy of the current time demands that you are educated; as we become more sophisticated so does our comedy. Today’s comedies feature biting wit and pop culture references galore. Many of the most popular shows of today are satires. We’ve evolved as a society in the west and require than a clever disguise to keep us entertain so why not poke fun at ourselves. Shows like Modern Family, 30 Rock, The Office and Parks and Recreations all re ally on the fact that nothing is funnier than imitating life. Each takes a standard concept and uses exaggeration to make it funny. But that doesn’t explain why we find it funny? What makes these shows humorous? Many of the shows don’t appeal to some and yet others swear by them. What makes people experience humor so differently? According to BBC writer Tom Stafford, it’s a part of the brain that developed before the higher learning complex, so it’s a primal response; a communicative gesture. But it’s unclear as to why. From a sociological standpoint it’s individualized because it stems from our experiences and moral teachings. This is why, according to BBC writer Jonathan Duffy, many shows that try to function in a different culture have a hard time. British shows rarely do well on American Television and vice versa with two exceptions being The Office and Queer as Folk. Each nation developed with different societal teachings. This cannot be said of Asiatic countries, which have various remakes of each other’s shows with no problem. Everyone has experienced life differently. While some people may enjoy the same types of humor or similar aspects no two persons will find all of the exact same things funny. We may never truly know what makes us respond the way we do to certain situations. For now we might as well sit back, relax and enjoy life’s funny moments.

Analysing Remediation Of Contaminated Land In Nigeria Environmental Sciences Essay

Analysing Remediation Of Contaminated Land In Nigeria Environmental Sciences Essay Crude oil is an important mineral resource vital to everyday life. Modern trend toward increasing dependence on the use of petroleum hydrocarbons for energy needs has resulted in severe pressure on the energy resource as well as increased accidental discharges of oil and its products into the environment. This occurs frequently during operations such as extraction, transportation, storage, refining and distribution notwithstanding technology-driven precautions. It would be reasonable to state that oil contamination is one of the most serious forms of water and land pollution as it endangers public health, imperils drinking water, devastates natural resources, and disrupts the economy. Nigeria is one of the largest crude oil producing countries in the world and depends almost entirely (over 90%) on it for her revenue. The Niger Delta region in Nigeria contains the bulk of Nigerias proven oil and gas reserves. The region is ridden with environmental problems, ranging from devastation of land and water (crippling income generation through farming and fishing), through death of thousands of domestic animals, disastrous fire out-breaks, various illnesses to deaths. This is as a result of oil spillage which has become a daily experience in the region. There exist some prevention and mitigation measures associated with oil and gas exploration activities but these measures are not implemented in Nigeria. Owing perhaps to poor enforcement of the standards by regulatory bodies, corruption, high cost of procuring and maintaining some of the mitigation equipments, ignorance, lack of vision, or carelessness. These have led, to political unrest, with the people of the area feel ing exploited and calling for reparations. Contamination of soil by is a widespread environmental problem that often requires clean-up of the contaminated site. Though many techniques have been undertaken to address oil contamination of land in the Niger Delta region, these either have negative effects or result to incomplete clean-up of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Although disposal or open dump burning may be simple and easily adaptable, these techniques have undesirable health and safety hazards from e.g. air pollution. Bioremediation is an alternative technology which is likely to be capable of achieving permanent remediation. Nature has developed microorganisms that can degrade hydrocarbons to avoid their accumulation to a point of being detrimental to life. To achieve rapid bioremediation, nutrients and aeration are applied to the soil and the indigenous microorganism is often augmented to obtain enhanced bioremediation. The design of an efficient bioremediation system requires a set of careful studies of the local conditions of the site to be remediated. Despite several indications of the environmental degradation and health effects caused by oil contamination of land in the Niger Delta region, little attention has been paid to investigating the effectiveness of the use of bioremediation in this region. Undertaking an evaluation of a selection of case studies could provide better insight whether bioremediation is the appropriate solution to oil contamination problems in the region. Various application of bioremediation on oil contaminated soil has been reported with encouraging results but its effectiveness has not been fully employed in the region. 1.2 Aim and Objectives The primary aim of this study is firstly to consider oil contamination of land as a global problem, assess the causes and effects of oil contamination of land both across the world and in Nigeria and secondly to evaluate whether bioremediation could be an effective treatment technique of land contaminated by oil with particular reference to the Niger Delta of Nigeria. In order to achieve this, the following will be addressed; (a) The extent and causes of oil contamination (b) The effect of oil contamination (c) Oil contamination in Nigeria (d) Remediation methods (e) Case studies and/or questionnaire 1.3 Overview of oil contamination of land Pollution of the land by oil has become a matter of widespread concern, attracting attention of politicians, environmentalists and scientists. There is growing public concern as a wide variety of toxic organic chemicals are being introduced accidentally or deliberately into the environment. Petroleum hydrocarbons are one common example of these chemicals, which enter the environment frequently and in large volumes through numerous routes. These routes include seepage from natural deposits, human activities in exploration, production, transportation and storage of petroleum. Such human activities inevitably involve the risk of accidental spills that can only be minimized but not eliminated completely. Deonarine and Basdeo (2001) explained that leaks from wellheads, leaks from pipelines, and overflows at gathering stations and deposition of oily mud are also other routes through which hydrocarbon enter the environment. Oil spills are now becoming a frequent and major source of water an d land contamination across the globe especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. 1.4 Justification of the Study In time past, land contamination was usually perceived in terms of relatively rare incidents, with poorly known but possibly catastrophic impact on human health and the environment. According to Nathanail and Bardos (2004) numerous incidents drew media attention and these include Love canal in New York; Times Beach Missouri in United States and Minamata, Japan disaster. They further explained that today land contamination is no longer perceived in terms of few severe incidents rather as extensive infrastructural problems of varying intensity and significance that is inherited from past and present industrial and waste disposal activities. Nowadays across the globe, land contamination is gaining a higher official recognition and is been recognised as a serious challenge to present and future generation. Recently a lot of policies for sustainable development and contaminated land management have been introduced and so many countries especially in developed countries have implemented these policies. Despite this trend, the Nigeria Government and oil multinational companies operating in that country are yet to implement such policies. They agree with sustainable development and good environmental management but these are only seen as a paper exercise. There is no adequate implementation of sustainable development and environmental management in Nigeria. Moreover, oil spill incidence still occurs and no adequate management is given to the spilled site. There are no known instances in Nigeria whereby an oil polluted site had been fully remediated and restored by any of the oil companies. Most polluted sites are neglected to the mercy of slow process of natural recovery that takes several years to accomplish.   Even in terrestrial environments where remediation is conventionally cheaper and easy, in the Nigerian situation, it is a luxury that is impossible. For example, most sites in Ogoniland where incident oil spill incident occurred since 1970 remains unclean till date 2009. Besides deliberate negligence, corporate corruption and penchant to cut-corners hinder remediation programmes in the Nigerian oil industry. Remediation contracts are often awarded to contractors who simply transport topsoil from elsewhere to mask contaminated spill sites. These sites are often reported as begin remediated Although many people and organisations especially non-governmental organisation (NGO) have writing about oil pollution in Nigeria and its negative effects, but solution to the pollution have been limited. 1.5 Structure of the Report Chapter one began with an introduction and justification of the study. It brought problems, Aims and objectives and conceptual framework of the work. The second chapter carries out a review of the existing on oil contamination of land with emphasis on the meaning, causes, effects, issues across the world and Nigeria, technology and oil spillage as a major cause of the oil contamination. Also this chapter review oil contamination in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Chapter three looks at the methodology, nature and sources of data collection as well as the technique for data analysis. The Chapter four looks at the proposed solution to oil contamination. Chapter five focuses on case studies and Discussion of findings of the study. (develop best practice guide for Nigeria) Chapter six looks at the conclusions and recommendations CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Oil contamination is a major environmental problem which is caused as result of oil operations. Activities of oil companies constitute environmental problems; with substantial implications for economic development and human health. As a result of its impacts some individuals live as aliens in their own communities, where they are unable to actualize their interest or aspirations. This chapter provides a review of the menace of oil contamination. 2.2 The problem Oil contamination of land. The demand for energy is increasing globally as a result of rising population, increased industrialisation and prosperity. This has resulted on severe pressure on available energy resources. Energy has a major impact on every aspects of socio-economic life as it plays a vital role in the economic, social and political development of any nation. As a result, the demand for energy is increasing worldwide, along with this, pollution is on the increase. Many parts of the world have as a consequence, suffered significant contamination. Khan et al (2004) pointed out that these oil contaminants enter the environment directly as a result of oil waste (sludge), spills during exploration, production and transportation, leakage from storage sites, or from industrial facilities. Oil spillage and oily waste deposits represent the majority of hydrocarbon contamination of our planet. Al-Saleh and Obuekwe (2005) asserted that accidental and deliberate oil spills have been and still continue to be a significant source of environmental pollution. Contamination of soil arising from spills is one of the most limiting factors to soil fertility and hence crop productivity as well as animal activity. Also the runoff from oil spill impacted site usually degrade the quality of the fresh water source which serves the domestic rural water supply needs of the host communities. Molina-Barahona et al (2004) corroborated that oil spills caused great damages to the ecology and economy of rural regions as well as nations. Therefore these polluted areas constitute a big potential risk to human health, environment, subsoil infrastructure, flora and fauna as well as groundwater. 2.3 Causes of oil contamination Crude oil is extracted world-wide at a very high rate to meets the bulk of the worlds energy requirements. At the same time, crude oil constitutes a potential hazard if discharged into the environment. Such discharge happens despite the fact that the distribution and storage network for crude oil is closely and well monitored. Oil development activities involve several polluting processes. The extent of these processes depends mainly on the environmental practices and technology used by oil companies. Apart from oil spills that mainly cause oil contamination of land, there are other different operations in the petroleum industry that cause contamination. These include drilling operation, leakage from wellhead and pipeline and over-flows at gathering stations. Fisher and Sublette (2005) stated that these causes of oil contamination are as a result of overflows, intentional dumping , illegal activity, aging facilities, equipment failure, operators error, construction defect, accidental damage, transport accident, defeat/bypassing protective system, ineffective quality control, over pressuring, natural phenomenon, blow out of oil well, sabotage and corrosion. During drilling, each well that is drilled produces drilling wastes, including formation water and drilling muds. Miguel and Anna-Karin (2004) pointed out that these wastes are frequently deposited into open pits, from which they are either directly discharged into the environment or leached out as the pits degrade or overflow from rainwater. Extraction of oil is also accompanied by seepage and spills. Offshore drilling routinely creates low level spills, and sometimes causes a blowout, a massive gush of petroleum. Most oil-wells are situated in deserts and oceans, which is where the majority of the worlds documented blow-outs have occurred. Storage facilities and pipelines can typically be destroyed by e.g.; either natural disasters like hurricanes, or accidents during construction or due to acts of sabotage or ageing of the facilities all resulting in release of large amounts of oil. The table below shows incident oil spill causes and number of incidents between 2000 and 2008. Table 1: Incident oil spill causes 2000-2008 2007 Incidents Causes No of incidents 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Equipment failure 8,383 8,429 8,341 9,132 10,078 9,958 10,209, 10,849 8,578 Operator error 3,459 2,885 2,305 2,889 2,997 2,684 2,908 2,885 3,022 Transport accidents 609 713 563 631 1,050 1,152 1,103 1,361 1,387 Dumping 1,523 1,494 1,265 960 806 757 863 1,004 935 Natural phenomenon 472 716 497 711 685 575 804 708 726 Sabotage 6,428 7,204 7457 6,531 3,907 3,865 3858 3860 3,942 Accidental spillage(aging facilities, construction defect, blow out of oil well, etc) 10,552 11,800 10,266 10,314 10,078 9,958 10,209 10,849 10,578 Source: (National response center statistics U.S 2008) It is observed from the table above that equipment failure and accidental spillage are the two main causes and these account for over 50% of oil spillage cause. Accidentals spillage could be as a result of traffic accident, aging facilities and blow-out of oil well. In addition to the above table, European Environmental Agency report that tanker accidents account for about 10-15 per cent of all oil that spill into the ocean world-wide every year. Fingas and Charles (2001) argued that oil spills accounts for a highest number and volume of oil contamination. Mokhalalati et al (2000) demonstrated that observations from many oil spill incidents around the world have shown that both land and aquatic environment suffer oil exposure and these environments are particularly difficult to protect and also clean- up once a spill has occurred. 2.4 Effects of oil contamination The oil and gas sector is one of the most lucrative sectors in business but reducing its negative impacts is one of the most pressing issues today. As an example, one barrel of crude oil can make one million barrels of water undrinkable and make hectares of land and water bodies useless. It has also destroyed crops, damage the quality and productivity of soil use for farming and as well damage fisheries. This exacerbates hunger and poverty in affected communities. In addition the residents often experience an increase of conflict with their neighbourhood. Miraglia, A.R (2002) observed that Chenega Bay, Niger Delta, Ecuador indigenous communities etc have been fighting due to oil compensation. This has resulted in killing of people, destroying of houses, property, etc. Khan,M.I and Islam,R.M (2003) asserted that practically all activities of hydrocarbon operations are accompanied by undesirable discharges of liquid, solid and gaseous wastes which have enormous devastating impacts . When oil reaches and penetrates into the soil and deep sea, the effects will be apparent for long period of time, thus the oil that reaches quickly will be more toxic. The effect depends on the following factors such as; size of the spill, the spread of the oil slick, the toxicity and persistence of the oil and the sensitivity of the environmental region affected. However oil contamination has caused a range of pervasive impacts on the environment, human health, economy and society. Ecological effects may include physical and chemical changes in habitats, changes in growth or behaviour and increased mortality of organisms and species. Wildlife can be impacted by direct physical contact with the oil, e.g., filterfeeding shellfish and bird eggs can be smothered by oil and the feathers of birds or the fur of seals lose their insulating properties when coated with oil, leading to the danger of death from cold. Also if oil is ingested, it can damage the digestive system of the animals. Its vapours have the potential to damage the nervous system of animals, as well as their lungs and liver. The oil impedes proper soil aeration as oil film on the soil surface acts as a physical barrier between air and the soil and this affects soil fertility which consequently has great negative impact on food productivity. Oil contamination affects certain soil parameters such as the mineral and organic matter content, the cation exchange capacity, redox properties and pH value. As crude oil creates anaerobic condition in the soil, coupled to water logging and acidic metabolites, Onwurah et al (2007) stated that the result is high accumulation of aluminum and manganese ions, which are toxic to plant growth. The smearing root plants with oily substances may cause the plants to wilt and die off due to blockage of stomata inhibiting photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration and reduces permeability of cell membranes. Due to the toxic nature of oil, Pezeshki et al (2000) asserted that petroleum-based products have adverse im ­pact on yields of various plant species and in high doses they can depress germination of plants and cause necrosis of seedlings. A substantial high rate of illness as well as psychological and physical symptoms is usually reported in areas affected by spill oil and on increase on the days when oil exposure was at its highest. Rodrigue-Trigo et al (2007) stated that these illnesses include; respiratory tract irritation, vertigo, headache, sore eyes, sore throat and exacerbation of asthma. They further stated that anxiety and depression rate is usually on high increase in the exposed region. Oil contamination has shown to have great influence on the engineering properties and behaviour of a soil. Puri, K.V (2000) corroborated that it has resulted in decrease in shear strength of a clayey soil, angle of internal friction of sand based on total stress condition decrease with the presence of oil in the pore spaces and compression characteristics of sand are significantly influenced. Khamehchiyan et al (2007) asserted that it has resulted in decrease in the value of the constrained modulus with increase in the degree of oil saturation. Oil contamination induces a reduction in permeability and strength of soil samples. Generally oil contamination has drastically reduced the bearing capacity of the soil. 2.5 Worldwide issues: Oil spill across the world In the last decade, a lot of oil contamination across the world has been experienced as a result of oil spill incident which account for highest cause of oil contamination. Meniconi et al (2002) pointed out that, characterizing the spilled oil, monitoring the affected ecosystem, determining the fate of the oil in the environment and subsequently assessing the environmental damage caused have been a pressing issue. The spill case studies described below encompass crude and fuel oil release on coastal ecosystems and land. We know that oil spill on sea can spread and dispersed to land by wind, tide, wave action and rainfall. Any oil spill on sea also affects the land. Some of the oil spill case studies in Nigeria and major spills across the world are highlighted below; The Torrey canyon supertanker disaster (1967) This is the first major oil spill to awaken the international community to the dangers of oil transport. On 18th March, 1967 the Torrey Canyon carrying 117000 tons of Kuwait crude oil ran aground on the Pollards Rock in the Seven Stones reef between the Scilly Isles and Lands End, England. Approximately119, 000 tonnes of Kuwait oil leaked from the ship and spread along the sea between England and France, killing most of the marine life it touched along the whole of the south coast of Britain and the Normandy shores of France. Sands, P. (2003). The Torrey Canyon oil spill proved for the first time the immense environmental damage that could result from an accident involving a large oil tanker as well as revealed the problems inherent in the international system for assessing liability and compensation for oil spill damage. Jacobsson (2007) stated that this spill triggered the International Compensation Convention. Exxon Valdez (1989) In March 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez hit a reef in Prince William sound, Alaska and spilled about 37,000 tonnes of oil, the worst spill in US history. The spill subsequently affected a variety of shores, mainly rock and cobble, to varying degrees over an estimated 1,800km in Prince William Sound. The spilled oil impacted a wide range of intertidal organisms and as a result thousands of marine animals and seabirds were killed. (Peterson 2001) Braer (1993) The oil tanker Braer ran aground at Garths Ness on the Southern Shetland Isles Coast on 5th January, 1993 spilling approximately 84,700 tonnes of crude oil. The spilt oil was dispersed naturally in the wave action against the North Sea. The BRAER spill was unusual in that a significant amount of oil was blown on to land adjacent to the wreck site. Seabird casualties were also moderately low. Considering the size of the spill, the environmental impacts were surprisingly limited . (Gregory 2007). Erika Incident The Maltese tanker ERIKA, carrying some 31,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, broke in two in a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay on 11th December, 1999, off the coast of France. About 20,000 tonnes of oil were spilled. The main environmental impact of the spill was on sea birds and 65,000 oiled birds were collected from beaches, of which about 50,000 were dead. This incident led to rapid moves to accelerate the phasing out of all single hull oil tankers. (Le Moigne, and Laubier, 2004). Prestige (2002) In September 2002, oil tanker prestige sunk of the Galician north west of Spain spilling about 30,000 tonnes of oil. The spilled oil affected the entire coastline particularly the exposed rocky shores and sandy beaches which caused the largest ecological catastrophe in the history of Spain (de la Huz et al, 2005). Bernabeu et al (2006) observed that the spill had a huge economic impact as it affected the fishing and marine cultivation on which the Costa da Morte (Galicia, N.W. Spain) depends economically. Tasman Spirit (2003) The oil tanker Tasman spirit grounded in the channel of the port of Karachi, on 27th July, 2003 carrying a cargo of 67,535 tonnes of light crude. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of oil spilled when the Tasman Spirit broke down. Strong winds and rough seas spread the light crude along 10 kilometres (seven miles) of the highly populated residential and recreational coastline. As a result of the spill incident, people living around the area have experienced health problems. The coastal environment in which the Tasman Spirit spill occurred was a rich and diverse tropical ecosystem which was negatively affected by the spill. (Janjua et al 2006) Gulf war 1991 The Gulf War in Kuwait 1991 resulted in one of the largest man made environmental disasters, and almost certainly the greatest acute contamination of land and water with oil, in history as the result of oil spills. Kostreba (1999) described that during the Gulf war an estimated 67 million tonnes of crude oil was spilt and burnt on land. The oil spills were as a result of deliberate damage done by Iraqi forces during their invasion of Kuwait. Crude oil was deliberately dumped into the gulfs and oil production, storage, and refining facilities were destroyed. The oil leaking from the well heads, storage tanks, and pipelines formed huge oil lakes as deep as 2 meters. Many of the oil wells were also set on fire and this resulted in the aerial deposition of partially combusted oil particles and associated non-combusted products of the oil fires, which also polluted large areas. The resulting oil pollution affected mainly Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Hans-Jorg Barth (2001) pointed out that over 700 km of coastline from southern Kuwait to Abu Ali Island were smothered with oil and tar, erasing most of the local plant and animal communities. Lebanon (2006) During hostilities in Lebanon in 2006, Isreali planes struck the Jiyyeh power plant about 25 kilometres south of Beirut. The hit storage tanks leaked 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes of oil into Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The oil slick covered 170km of coastline and was threatening Turkey and Cyprus. This is the worst environmental problem in the history of the country. The oil spill damaged land and marine ecosystems, destroyed fishermens livelihoods and rendered coastal areas lifeless. To worst the issue, no clean-up started until after three weeks due to security situation in Lebanon. (Friends of the Earth 2007). Ogbodo oil spill On 24th June, 2001 the community of Ogbodo in Rivers State, Nigeria, heard a loud explosion which was the bursting of a Shell Petroleum pipeline which traverses the village lands and waterways. Crude oil began to spill out into the environment. Rains and swiftly flowing water rapidly distributed the crude oil into the waterways surrounding the community. At least about 26,500 barrels of oil were spilt. The impact of the spill and the fire on local livelihoods was extensive and the devastating impact of the oil spill was exacerbated and prolonged because of failure to contain the spill swiftly. (www.waado.org). Oshire-2 oil spill According to Osuji and Opiah, (2007) on the 24th July, 2003, an oil spillage occurred in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The oil spill was as a result of leakage of one of the above-ground pipelines that criss-cross the Oshire-2 oil field. About 3,000 barrels of crude oil was allegedly spilled as a result a suspected sabotage. Oil spill in Ogoniland Ogoniland is the site of huge Shell facilities that have devastated the local environment. On June 6, 2001, Shell oil pipeline, which passes through the Baraale community, ruptured and started spilling crude oil into nearby forests, farmlands and houses. Many houses were flooded with crude oil. Disaster struck on 1st October, 2001, when the leaking oil caught fire. Residents of the community were about going to bed that night when a large fire started following a loud explosion. (Olukoya 2002). Also on 1 Sep 2003Crude oil from a ruptured oil pipeline caught fire, destroying farmland and polluting streams in the Ogoni area. This Day (2006) reported that oil spill from one of the Shell companys oil wellheads has devastated another Ogoni community. The spill is as a result of leak which occurred at Bomu Well-2, a dormant well in Ogoni land belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria limited. Oil spill incidence in Nigeria has become everyday news and its occurrence is too numerous that it cant all be highlighted in this study. Federal ministry of Environment on 2006 reported that quantity of oil spilled over 50 years is equivalent to 50 Exxon Valdez spills. This makes the Nigeria delta one of the 5 most oil polluted environments in the world. 2.6 Oil spill in Nigeria 2.6.1 Oil exploration in Nigeria In 1956, Royal Dutch Shell discovered crude oil at Oloibiri, a village in the Niger Delta, and the first commercial production started in 1958. Nwilo and Badejo (2005a) stated that 50 years later, 606 oil fields exist in the Niger Delta, of which 360 are on-shore and 246 off-shore. Nigeria is now the largest oil producer in Africa and the sixth largest in the world, averaging 2.7 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2006. Nigerias economy is heavily dependent on earnings from the oil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues (Central intelligence Agency (CIA) World Fact Book, 2005). Current oil exploration and production activities in Nigeria is concentrated in the Niger Delta region, a huge fertile wetland which covers a land mass of over 70,000 km2, and cuts across 800 oil producing communities. Oguejiofor (2008) demonstrated that the region has huge oil and gas reserve and accounts for 90 per cent of national exports and 70 per cent of Government revenue, mainly from oil and gas exported is from the region. Geological record and research shows that the region (both onshore and offshore areas) is particularly conducive for the formation and accumulation of oil and gas. Today, the oil industries are highly visible in the Niger Delta and have control over a large area in the region. The area is crisscrossed by thousands of kilometres of pipeline, punctuated by wells and flow stations. Much of the oil infrastructure is located close to the homes, farms and water sources of communities. 2.6.2 Overview of the damage in the Niger delta Oil and gas activities and enormous oil installations deployed in the Niger Delta explains her vulnerability to oil spill. The social and environmental costs of oil contamination have been extensive. These include destruction of wildlife and biodiversity, loss of fertile soil, pollution of air and drinking water, degradation of farmland and damage to aquatic ecosystems, all of which have caused serious health problems for the inhabitants of areas surrounding oil production. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have destroy vegetation, mangrove forests, food/cash crops, fishing ground/marine life, reduces nutrient value of the soil, induces land fragmentation, and sets communities on fire. For example a spill at Osima creek in Agbakabiriyai, near Nembe on February 28th 1998, led to eight days of fire, which razed down the entire community. This resulted to the destruction of about 400 houses, and the displacement of about 130,000 inhabitants. Also a spill that occurred on 7th December, 2008 in Ikarama community terribly caught fire on 1st of March 2009. The fire caused more damage to the environment (www.eration.org/index.php?). Given these challenges, land as an economic power resource base becomes critical for the Niger Delta region. Without fertile soil and good water, indigenous communities in the region lose their mode of survival and are faced with the crisis of food shortages. Due to oil spillage, many water ways, land and marine systems in the region have been badly polluted and residents have been badly affected by enviro

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Water Pollution Reduces Drinking Water Quality :: Drinking Water Quality

Issue Statement The contamination of public water wells in Monmouth and Ocean County can lead to negative long terms effects and put a major impact on the cost for water filtration. The accumulation of polluted water being produced in the area requires additional treatments making our county limited to our expenses. Discussion Many water wells in the state of New Jersey in addition to those in Monmouth and Ocean County have been susceptible to pollution. Some experts say, including the DEP commissioner, that the problem is not whether water coming out of your tap is safe. The real issue is the cost to put in addition treatments into the water therefore making it safe for every element where water is required and utilized. Though, updates have shown that drinking water itself is becoming unsafe and insecure for residents to consume as well. Several conditions play a part in the pollution of water through the state. Whether it’s storm runoffs, leaky storage tanks, or harmful waste dump sites, these all have an effect on the high bacteria levels in the water. Keeping the pollution to a minimal is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Pesticides, petroleum products, corrosive or ignitable toxins are some examples of hazardous materials that are found in water today. The major water pollutants are chemical, biological, or physical materials that degrade water quality. Residents in Brick Township, Lakewood, Jackson Millstone, Freehold Township, Howell and Wall are some of the many local areas that are affected. Those organizations that are responsible for replenishing the water such as the New Jersey American Water Co., Monmouth and Lakewood systems, United Water Toms River, Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority and New Jersey American's Mount Holly system will probably be required to face these challenges and obstacles with a different strategy compared to the previous procedures. Life threatening circumstances have occurred in the past that reminds us what could happen to our water supply if we do not maintain it. Situations like the Cuyahoga River on fire, or the Potomac River too dirty for swimming, or Lake Erie dying. Since these incidents have happened environmentalists have taken extreme measures to reduce the amount of pollution that is coming out of the power plants that are on the river and on Lake Erie. Public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.