http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/878 (14) Articles available Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:31:23 GMT 2026-04-13T14:31:23Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1008 Impact Assessment Of Topography On Infrastructure Development And Mobile Communication Service Delivery: Case Study Of Kunenekude In Neno Momba, Chisomo The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is crucial for sustainable infrastructure development and plays a key role in the socio-economic development and overall poverty reduction. Among the technological advances of the last 50 years, the expansion and technological improvements of telecommunications infrastructure have been some of the most crucial interventions in the society. The introduction of mobile communications especially the global system for mobile (GSM) communication technology provided a huge landmark for personal communications. However, the deployment of infrastructure to provide such communications services is faced by several challenges among them the topography of areas where such infrastructure must be deployed which impacts efficient service delivery. The main objective of this thesis is to assess the impact of topography on infrastructure and mobile communication service delivery with a particular focus on Kunenekude. The thesis examines the relationship between topography and mobile communication service coverage by using the telecommunications management system (TEMS) investigation analytical tool in relation to the socio-economic impact arising out of the limited service delivery. The assessment shows that topography reduces effective service coverage and impacts mobile service delivery by almost 40% thereby increasing the costs of providing the service. Additionally, the socio-economic benefits arising from mobile communication services are affected when service coverage is limited. This study through the findings recommends a coordinated infrastructure sharing deployment plan to address the topography challenges in infrastructure development and the use of household settlement statistical data to effectively plan coverage for mobile communication services A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Infrastructure Development and Management Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1008 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1007 Factors Affecting The Implementation Of Water And Sanitation Projects In Primary Schools In Zomba Rural Thawani, Lemelani Davidson Sebastian The aim of the study was to explore the factors affecting the implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The specific objectives of the study were to: critically analyse factors that enhance the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural; examine the challenges facing the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural and; propose the possible solutions for dealing with the challenges affecting the implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The study adopted an inductive approach since it involved theory development using interpretivism philosophy. Data collection was done using mixed methods, for instance qualitative and quantitative techniques were adopted. Focus group discussions were conducted to learners and school management committees while in-depth interviews and questionnaires were conducted to sanitation teachers and officials from implementing agencies, respectively. The variables were subjected to principal component analysis with varimax rotation. The results revealed that the involvement of school management committees, child-friendly designs, commitment and support by leaders at different levels, and availability of strong development policies and implementation plans, were major contributing factors for the successful implementation of WASH projects in primary schools in Zomba Rural. The same study revealed that financial resource constraints, poor learners’ hygiene practices, lack of operation and maintenance mechanisms and poor supervision of the latrines were major challenges facing the implementation of WASH projects. It is thus recommended that the District Education Management Unit should include, in their budget, funds for the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities. In addition, implementers of WASH projects should provide trainings to learners in behaviour change intervention to curb the learners’ poor sanitation and hygiene practices so as to sustain proper hygiene behaviours. Further research aimed at examining causal relationships between the identified factors and the success or failure of the WASH project is also recommended. Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Infrastructure Development and Management) Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1007 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1003 Wastewater Disposal Status In Malawi Based On The City Of Blantyre As A Case Study Chidulo, George Wilson Francis Wastewater disposal study was conducted in Blantyre City to establish status of wastewater disposal and determine volume of wastewater generated per residential land use category, and assess pollution impact of effluent from wastewater treatment facilities to the receiving surface water bodies in the city. A survey was carried out from June to August 2018 in twenty (20) areas in the city that were sampled using selective sampling technique. Four study areas were selected within each land use category as follows: Low density areas: Nyambadwe, Namiwawa, Sunnyside and British Central Area (BCA). Medium density areas: Chinyonga, Soche East, Namiyango and Manja. High-density areas: Mbayani, Nkolokoti, Nancholi and Misesa. Traditional housing areas: Ndirande Goliyo, Chilomoni Mthukwa, Manje and Chilobwe. Industrial areas: Makata, Ginnery Corner, Chirimba and Maselema. A multiple response research protocol was randomly administered to one hundred and eighty four (184) respondents within the study areas. The data collected from the survey was analysed using SPSSv20 Software to determine status of wastewater disposal and volume of wastewater released per land use category. Water quality assessment in effluent receiving rivers namely Mudi, Naperi, Limbe and Chirimba was carried out to determine magnitude of water contamination by wastewater. Water samples were collected from upstream and downstream points of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of each river in the month of November 2018 for laboratory tests. Tests for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Faecal Coliform Bacteria (FCB), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) as indicators of wastewater contamination were run and results were compared with standards set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS). The results showed that 23.0% of the total wastewater generated in Blantyre City is directly disposed into the sewage system, 33.6% into septic tanks and pit latrines, 37.6% into storm water drains and 5.8% is disposed into rivers. Results further showed that high-density areas generate 14,475 m3 of wastewater per day, medium density areas 24,897 m3, low-density areas 43,712 m3 and informal traditional housing areas generate 9,298 m3 of wastewater per day. A total of 92,382 m3 of domestic wastewater is generated per day in the city of Blantyre. The laboratory test results for BOD5, COD, TSS, FCB, Pb, Cd and Cr in the water samples from the four rivers under study were higher than WHO and MBS guiding limits. Their mean levels differed significantly between the sampling positions (at statistical significance level, α = 0.05). A Theses Submitted to the Faculty of Engineering in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Infrastructure Development and Management Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1003 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1000 Causes Of Poor Quality Of Road Construction Works: A Case Study Of Road Construction Projects In Blantyre Hauya, Flora Khanje The increasing complexity of infrastructure projects and the environment within which they are delivered place greater pressure on construction managers to deliver projects on time, within budget and free from defects. A road construction project is generally considered to be successful if it is implemented within the intended budget, time and also constructed to the desired quality. However, most road construction projects in Malawi have experienced challenges in terms of quality, completion time and project cost. This study aimed at identifying causes of poor quality of road construction works in Malawi. Specifically, the study identified major defects in road works construction and their causes, analysed the identified causes and ranked them based on their influence on quality of road construction works. The methods adopted in this study included: review of literature, administration of questionnaires and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer test (DCP). The study demonstrated that poor quality of road construction in Malawi are caused by; use of lowest price tender method of procurement, lack of qualified and experienced technical personnel, quality of construction materials used during construction, corruption by site personnel and collusion in carrying out laboratory tests. In order to improve on quality of constructed roads in Malawi, it is recommended that (i) the current procurement system should be reviewed in order to ensure that contracts are awarded to deserving bidders who have the capacity to do the works. (ii) verification of test results be randomly conducted through independent accredited laboratories. (iii) thorough scrutinising of contractors applying for upgrading be enhanced by NCIC. Training institutions in Malawi need to conduct more capacity building trainings (foremanship and inspector of works) in order to avert the problem of shortage of site technical personnel. Master Of Science In Infrastrure Development And Management (Idm) Thesis Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1000 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z