Impediments to Wood Waste Generation for Particle Board Production: A Study of Sawmill Industries in NIGER State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the impediments to wood waste generation for particle board production in sawmill industries in Niger state, Nigeria. The study covered sawmills in the twenty-five (25) local government areas of Niger state Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A population of eighty-eight (88) respondents was used for the study. Three research questions were raised to guide the study while three hypotheses were formulated to test the hypotheses. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha formula and it was found to be 0.85. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05% level of significance. Based on the data collected and analyzed, the findings of the study were use of obsolete equipment, Problem of deforestation, lack of technical personnel to operate the machines, poor relationship existed between the sawmill managers and the staff and there was no staff training. It was recommended that government should enforce the law on deforestation to facilitate tree growth that can enhance wood waste generation for particle board production, The sawmill managers should organize training for the staff on effective use and maintenance of woodworking machines. Modern woodworking equipment should be procured to enhance efficiency and effective woodworking operations with minimum effort.