No abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of benchmarking among Nigerian facilities management (FM) practitioners. Design/methodology/approach Data collection was through semi-structured interviews with 34 FM heads from three selected cities in Nigeria. Of this number, 16 were from Lagos, 10 from Abuja, while 8 managers were from Port Harcourt. These managers were selected using purposive sampling based on their experience in the field of FM across the various sectors of the economy. The interviews were analysed with Nvivo 10 software qualitative computer software so as to reduce manual tasks, discover tendencies and recognize themes on the practice, meaning and benefits of benchmarking. Matrix coding of the Nvivo software was used to distinguish between benefits realized by those that conduct formal and informal benchmarking. Findings The paper found that those that perform informal benchmarking find that the benchmarking tool helps them to improve performance, service quality and their processes. On the other hand, those that perform formal benchmarking affirmed that benchmarking helped them in making strategic plans, striving to be the best in the industry and obtaining explanations for those improvements that are made now and in the near future. Practical implications The results, therefore, suggest that formal benchmarking in Nigeria is needed in performing strategic role in FM, as well as in making good business case agitations. Practitioners also need to know the benefits of benchmarking to improve its usage. Originality/value The paper categorised FM benchmarking benefits. Also, there are limited empirical studies on benchmarking benefits in developing countries.

Biogas power generation is renewable energy made from biological materials. Biogas power production is technology which helps in development of sustainable energy supply systems. This paper develops Genetic Algorithm optimization model for Biogas electrical power generation of Ilora in Oyo, Oyo state. The production is done using co-digestion system of pig dung and Poultry dung under the process of anaerobic digestion. The pig dung and poultry dung were mixed 50:50%. MATLAB and VISUAL BASIC Software was used to carry out simulations to develop optimized Genetic Algorithm model for Biogas power production with aims to improving electricity accessibility and durability of the community. The results of the research reveal the Empirical Biogas power production without and with Genetic Algorithm optimization. The Result showed that biogas electrical power generated without and with Genetic Algorithm Optimization were 5KW and 11.18KW respectively. The biogas power generation was increased by 6.18KW, which is 38.2% increase after Genetic Algorithm optimization. The results show the application of the Genetic Algorithm optimization model which can be used to improving Biogas power generation when amount of methane gas produced from the animal dung varies with speed of thermal rotating shaft.

The study considered the potentials and economic feasibility of solar and wind energy resources for rural-electricity and distributed generation from six selected sites of Nigeria. Remote communities cut off from the central grid and made up of 200 homes, a school and health centre were conceived -a site per geopolitical zone was investigated. A specific electrical load profile was then developed to suite the rural communities. In view of this, the design that will optimally meet a daily load demand with 1% LOLP was carried out by considering standalone PV, Wind and Diesel systems design, as well as a Wind-PV hybrid system design. Further to this, an analysis covering the same sites was carried out to determine the commercial viability of generating and distributing electricity in the Megawatt range via distributed generation. The 24 years ' (1987-2010) solar, wind and other meteorological data utilized in this study was obtained from the Nigeria meteorological centre, Oshodi. The results of the study revealed that wind standalone system is the most economically viable substitute for power generation at most of the sites with costs ranged between $0.129/kWh and $0.327/kWh for Jos and Benin City respectively. More so, a huge potential for profit making by willing investors in line with the present tariff order for wind and PV distributed generation was discovered with all sites being viable on both configuration. The optimum LCOE for distributed generation ranged between -$0.021/kWh and -$0.158/kWh for PV distributed generation in Iseyin and Maiduguri respectively. This is very much competitive with grid electricity. Thus, renewable electricity could be adopted and included into the federal rural development strategy, thereby reducing the energy deficit being experienced in Nigeria.

The purpose of the study was to examine FM organizations' choice of approaches (insourcing, outsourcing and hybrid) in creating value under their classification of management functions. The classifications namely Strategic FM functions, Tactical FM functions and Operational FM functions were _______________________________________________________ 122 The 18 th AFRES ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 have only examined the benefits of In house and Outsourcing approaches exclusive of the Hybrid approach; this study not only examined the three (3) approaches but also determined their appropriateness and value-adding capabilities.