A Critical Analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 in the Manufacturing Sector: a Case Study of Dangote Sugar Refinery

A Critical Analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 in the Manufacturing Sector: a Case Study of Dangote Sugar Refinery

CHAPTER ONE

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study is aimed at critically examining the impact of covid-19 in the manufacturing sector. Specifically it is geared

To examine the economic relevance of manufacturing sector.
To access the effect of covid-19 on food and beverage companies.
To determine the extent at which covid-19 affected the manufacturing sector.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.

Precisely, the chapter will be considered in two sub-headings:

Conceptual Framework
Chapter Summary

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

THE VIRUS: CLASSIﬁCATION AND ORIGIN

SARS-CoV-2 is a member of the family Coronaviridae and order Nidovirales. The family consists of two subfamilies, Coronavirinae and Torovirinae and members of the subfamily Coronavirinae are subdivided into four genera: (a) Alphacoronavirus contains the human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E and HCoV-NL63; (b) Betacoronavirus includes HCoV-OC43, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome human coronavirus (SARS-HCoV), HCoV-HKU1, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV); (c) Gammacoronavirus includes viruses of whales and birds and; (d) Deltacoronavirus includes viruses isolated from pigs and birds [Burrell C, et al.2016]. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to Betacoronavirus together with two highly pathogenic viruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped and positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) virus [Kramer A, et al.2006].

SARS-CoV-2 is considered a novel human-infecting Betacoro- navirus [Lu R,et al.2020]. Phylogenetic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome indicates that the virus is closely related (with 88% identity) to two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses collected in 2018 in east- ern China (bat-SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21) and genetically distinct from SARS-CoV (with about 79% similarity) and MERS-CoV [Lu R,et al.2020]. Using the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2, RaTG13, and SARS-CoV [Zhou P,et al.2020], a further study found that the virus is more related to Bat CoV RaTG13, a bat coronavirus that was previously detected in Rhinolophus afﬁnis from Yunnan Province, with 96.2% overall genome sequence identity [Zhou P,et al.2020]. A study found that no evidence of recombination events detected in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 from other viruses originating from bats such as BatCoV RaTG13, SARS- CoV and SARSr-CoVs [Zhou P,et al.2020]. Altogether, these ﬁndings suggest that bats might be the original host of this virus.

However, a study is needed to elucidate whether any inter- mediate hosts have facilitated the transmission of the virus to humans. Bats are unlikely to be the animal that is directly responsi- ble for transmission of the virus to humans for several reasons [Lu R,et al.2020]:

there were various non-aquatic animals (including mammals) available for purchase in Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market but no bats were sold or found;
SARS-CoV-2 and its close relatives, bat- SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21, have a relatively long branch (sequence identity of less than 90%), suggesting those viruses are not direct ancestors of SARS-CoV-2; and
in other coronaviruses where bat is the natural reservoir such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, other animals have acted as the intermediate host (civets and pos- sibly camels, respectively). Nevertheless, bats do not always need an intermediary host to transmit viruses to humans. For example, Nipah virus in Bangladesh is transmitted through bats shedding into raw date palm sap.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

AREA OF STUDY

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (“Dangote Sugar” or “DSR”) is a household name in the sugar refining sector of the Nigerian Food and Beverage Industry. It was established in 1970s with the import and sale of sugar by the parent company, Dangote Industries Limited.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of sixty seven (67) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which fifty (50) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 50 was validated for the analysis.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

INTRODUCTION

This chapter summarizes the findings into the impact of covid-19 in the manufacturing sector using Dangote Sugar Refinery as case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

SUMMARY OF THE STUDY

In this study, our focus was to examine the impact of covid-19 in the manufacturing sector using Dangote Sugar Refinery as case study.The study specifically was aimed at examining the economic relevance of manufacturing sector, access the effect of covid-19 on food and beverage companies and determine the extent at which covid-19 affected the manufacturing sector.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are active staff of Dangote Sugar Refinery Lagos State.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.

Manufacturing sector is relevant to the economy of Nigeria.
Covid-19 had no positive effect on food and beverage companies.
Covid-19 has highly affected manufacturing sector.
Covid-19 has a significant effect of on food and beverage manufacturing companies.

RECOMMENDATION

The following recommendations are based on the findings of this study;

There should be an Immediate implementation of sanitation measures and reconfigure workspaces for safety. For example, stagger shifts, increase distance between workers and ban visitors on factory floors.
Companies should evaluate automation solutions to reduce the number of workers on the factory floor I.e. automation of repetitive tasks, including assembly and predictive maintenance.
Transfer of new knowledge throughout the supply chain is ideal. Companies should update best practices as the situation evolves and assist suppliers in implementing them.
Companies should prepare for supply chain pivots that could require identifying alternative suppliers.

REFERENCE

Abati, R. (2020). Corona blues. Retrieved May 7, 2020, from https://saharareporters.com/2020/04/07/corona-blues-reuben-abati .
Abdelhafiz, A. S., Mohammed, Z., Ibrahim, M. E., Ziady, H. H., Alorab, M., Ayyad, M., et al. (2020). Knowledge, perceptions, and attitude of Egyptians towards the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Journal of Community Health. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10900-020-00827-7.
An application is an online service or computer software that helps users perform an activity, such as communications. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_software
Anadolu Agency (AA). (2020). COVID-19: Nigerian doctors oppose Chinese team’s visit. Retrieved May 8, 2020, from https:// www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/covid-19-nigerian-doctors-oppose-chine se-teams-visit/1794073.
Austrian, K., Pinchoff, J., Tidwell, J. B., White, C., Abuya, T., & Kangwana, B. (2020). COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, practices and needs of households in informal settlements in Nai- robi, Kenya. Bulletin of World Health Organization. https://doi. org/10.2471/BLT.20.260281.
Azlan, A. A., Hamzah, M. R., Sern, T. J., Ayub, S. H., & Mohamad, E. (2020). Public knowledge, attitudesand prac- tices towards COVID-19: A cross-sectionalstudy in Malaysia. PLoS ONE, 15(5), e0233668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journ al.pone.0233668.

Related Topics:

Other Topics