Essay --

In the past decade, both the USA and Ireland have experienced huge economic downturn for a number of different reasons. The crisis in the US was largely due to subprime mortgages and mortgage-related securities defaulting between 2006 and 2008. The Irish crisis was more due to the large borrowing by the banking sector from overseas banks which led to overpriced property and unsafe lending by banks for property development. Some people argue that the collapse of the American economy had a large impact on the Irish economy which collapsed in the years following the US crisis. First, let’s focus on the US crisis and the main reasons behind it. The problem began when banks started to issue ‘Ninja Loans’. These were loans that anybody could take out and they didn’t require you to have a job, assets or any type of income. They were offered on teaser rates that jumped by up to 2%. The main issue with these loans was that they were non-recourse, that is, the banks couldn’t chase the owners for money. They only had the house as a security and this made it very easy for people to walk away fr...

Crude Oil Refining or Petroleum Product Importation: Which Is Economical for Nigeria

CRUDE OIL REFINING OR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IMPORTATION: WHICH IS ECONOMICAL FOR NIGERIA? ABSTRACT: One of the most crucial challenges facing Nigeria is being able to meet the energy need of the energy hungry populace; the exponential population growth makes it even more challenging. The approach adopted to meeting this need has impacted severely on the economy of the nation as reflected in the year-on-year economic figures. This can be attributed to her choice of net importer of petroleum products status to the much more economic domestic refining option. This paper analyses the best economic option between refining crude oil and importing the products in Nigeria, at the end making probable suggestions. TABLE OF CONTENT ABBRECIATIONS 1. NTRODUCTION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 2. CRUDE OIL REFINING AND PETROLEUM IMPORTATION IN NIGERIA †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 5 2. 1 Overview †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦ 5 2. Challenges of Petroleum Product Refining in Nigeria †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 6 3. CRUDE OIL REFINING AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ECONOMICS †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 3. 1 The Economics of Crude oil Refining †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 3. 2 The Economics of Petroleum Products†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 4. CRUDE OIL REFINING, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IMPORTATION AND THE ECONOMY†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 0 5. CONCLUSION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 11 BIBLIOGRAPHY†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 13 ABBREVIATIONS BPSD Barrels per Stream Day B/D Barrels per Day CBN Central Bank of Nigeria GDP Gross Domestic Product NNPC Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NPRC Nigerian Petroleum Refining Company PHRC Port Harcourt Refinery Company 1. INTRODUCTION The role of crude oil remains key among the energy sources, hence we have to still live with the consequences that are associated with it, one of which is economical. This obviously is an aspect no country, importer and exporter have been able to overcome, though its impact on some countries is less than in others. Nigeria is definitely one of those countries whose economy has been monumentally impacted, ironically though, a leading crude oil producer and exporter in the world. However, this is not to take away crude oil’s enormous contribution to the Nigerian macro-economy over the years it holds sway. The discovery of oil in Nigeria was thought to be a big respite to the growing energy supply challenges facing her and to bring economical gains, especially as the price of oil has often been on the increase. Hence, should have made huge sums of money from it. Incidentally, this is not to be, as oil suddenly took shine off the hitherto major sources of the country’s GDP. Sectors like agriculture and manufacturing went moribund, making Nigeria a mono-economy, with oil being the mainstay of the economy. It provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of government budgetary revenues[1]. The Nigeria economy plays into the hands of the volatility of extremely vulnerable external shocks, particularly the vicissitude of world oil market prices, and the consequent inflations that characterise it most of the times. With the production of 229,008,126 barrels of crude oil and condensates increased in the third quarter of 2010 with an average of 2. 49 million barrels per day of domestic production in recent years, four refineries of 445,000 b/d refining capacity, the issue of meeting domestic oil demand should have been substantially addressed. However, with the 0 – 15% refining capacity in 2009[2], which is often the case over the years, importation became the only available alternative. Hence, Nigeria though a leading exporter of crude oil in the world is also, ironically, a net importer of petroleum products. This paper is divided into four chapters; chapter 2 looks at crude oil refining in Nigeria, offering an overview and challenges that confronts it. In chapter 3, crude oil refining and petroleum products economics is examined and chapter 4 looks at the implications of both crude oil refining and importation vis – a – vis the economy. The chapter 5 concludes the paper with few suggestions as to what the best economic option should be in meeting the petroleum products demand in Nigeria. 2. CRUDE OIL REFINING IN NIGERIA 2. 1OVERVIEW The petroleum products consumed in Nigeria had been imported from refineries abroad; this continued even a couple of years after the discovery of crude oil in a commercial quantity in the country. However, as the demand for the products increased and with the availability of the feedstock, the two Multinationals operating in the country then saw it as a viable business to establish refinery that would serve the domestic demand. This lead to the 50/50 joint venture refining company between Shell Darcy Petroleum Company and British Petroleum called the Nigerian Petroleum Refining Company (NPRC) in 1960. The construction of the refinery took two years to complete; by 1965 it commenced operation at an installed refining capacity of 38,000 bpsd[3] to refine local crude into five petroleum products. It was located at Alesa–Eleme, near Port Harcourt, some kilometres away from the crude oil production location. In order to meet the ever increasing demand for the products, the refinery was de–bottlenecked to increase its production capacity from the initial 38,000 bpsd to 60,000 bpsd. Running as a private entity, the company was able to run efficiently, profitably and met the omestic product consumption demand. In 1970, the Federal acquired and paid for a 60 percent equity share in all private international companies working in the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the Petroleum Industry in the country[4], NPRC inclusive. Despite been the major shareholder, the Federal Government allowed NPRC to operate without interference. It was only represented by its own corporation, th e Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC), on which the shares were invested on to represent it at the board meetings of NPRC. Hence, the company was commercially profitable, well maintained and ran very efficiently. A decree in 1977 gave birth to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which was later to appoint the Chairman of NPRC, and then acquired the remaining 40 percent stake in NPRC. This in effect made the NPRC a full Government entity under the Refinery Division of the NNPC, headed by a general manager. The name was changed to NNPC Refinery, Alesa–Eleme, now headed by a managing director and having a new management structure. It was under the general manager of NNPC Refinery Division at the headquarters. A wholly Government built Refinery commenced operation in 1978, after a 30–month construction. It was located at Warri, and had an installed refining capacity of 100,000 b/d. But was de – bottlenecked in 1985 to have a total capacity of125, 000 b/d. The Warri Refinery was essentially built to process crude oil products and to add value to some of the refinery by-products such as propylene rich stock and decant oil[5]. Soon after, in 1980, another refinery, the Kaduna Refinery came on stream. It was meant to cope with the ever growing demand for petroleum products, especially in the Northern axis of the country. The refinery consisted of two streams, 50, 000 b/d fuel units and 50, 000 b/d lubes, Asphalt plants. It was designed to produce 3,857mt/d of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,686mt/d of Kerosene, 3,000mt/d of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,796mt/d of Asphalt, 91mt/d of LAB, 657mt/d of Base Oils, 620mt/d of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), 2,100mt/d of Fuel Oil. The existing products pipeline linking Warri Refinery to Kaduna was converted to pump crude oils for supply to the new Kaduna Refinery. Again, like the previous refineries, the fuel section of Kaduna Refinery was de-bottlenecked from the 50, 000 b/d to 60, 000 b/d. This brought the Kaduna Refinery to overall 110, 000 b/d capacity[6]. The fourth and final refinery was a new grassroots refinery, adjacent to the existing Port Harcourt Refinery, with an install capacity of 150, 000 bpsd. With this, Nigeria total installed refining capacity is 445, 000b/d, which was originally built to serve both the domestic and international petroleum product demand. Unfortunately, the purpose for these refineries were short-lived, serving only for a couple of years before each began to experience various man-made challenges that made them cost centres instead of the originally intended commercially profitable centres. The ever growing domestic product demands were no more met, as acute scarcity became a normal phenomenon. This led, unfortunately to the return of high propensity of petroleum product importation in order to meet the energy need of the nation. 2. 2 CHALLENGES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT REFINING IN NIGERIA The Nigerian state-owned four refineries have undergone, and still undergo several man-made challenges that have made it more of a liability to the country than an asset. One of the issues that reduced the refineries to cost centres is bureaucracy. Immediately NNPC took over the running of the first refinery, bureaucracy silenced the commercial cultures that make a business thrive. Tens of signatures would have to be appended on a letter seeking to fix or procure working materials. These unnecessarily delay maintenance and impact the efficient running of the refineries. Also, being fully under the control of Government, all the funds for running the refineries would have to come from Government coffers. This occasioned delays and outright insufficient funding. Working capital especially meant to procure the needed spare parts, chemicals and all other necessary items for operations was not forthcoming, hence leading to the continues breakdown often experienced in the various refineries. The recommended 24-36 months normal industry Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) was hardly done[7]. It took years, far above the recommended time in between for TAM at the various refineries. The results were failures, wear and tear of the equipment, frequent shutdowns and complete non operations. Efficiency of the refining industry is such that needs well trained manpower. However, most of the refinery staff like any other state- ran enterprise were employed or appointed on ethnic or political sentiment. In such case, proper management and efficiency is thrown to the wind. Dedication and commitment to duty is hardly there, and the consequence is obvious. The big one is corruption. The refineries have over the years become conduit pipes of siphoning tax payer’s money. Some individuals in Government seem to have become rich by the comatose state of these refineries, hence would do everything within their powers to make them remain so. These challenges have rendered the refineries helpless and never operating at the capacity utilization. Because of these, the country never really enjoyed product sufficiency with its vast reserve and refineries it ordinarily should have. Hence, Nigeria has always been a net importer of petroleum products. 3. CRUDE OIL REFINING AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT ECONOMICS 3. 1CRUDE OIL REFINING ECONOMICS The overall economics or viability of a refinery depends on the interaction of three key elements: the choice of crude oil used (crude slate), the complexity of the refining equipment (refinery configuration) and the desired type and quality of products produced (product slate). Refinery operating cost, utilization rate and environmental considerations also influence refinery economics[8]. The type of crude used would determine whether there would be investment in the upgrading processes of the refinery. Light, sweet crude require less upgrading, heavy crude do need more upgrading. Also, the product demand in the market determines the configuration of the refinery. For instance, the U. S. refineries are configured to process a large percentage of heavy, high sulphur crude and to produce large quantities of gasoline and low amounts of heavy fuel oil. The Canadian refineries are configured for light, sweet crude, hence would upgrading to process heavy crude. Most of the European refinery configuration favours the production of diesel; gasoline accounts only 20% production[9]. Obviously, the Nigeria refineries were configured for the light crude the country produces and produces a wide range of products meant for her market and other markets. The refinery utilization rate is a very critical component of refining economics. High percentage capacity utilization is needed for a refinery to increase operating efficiency and reduce costs per unit of output. A utilization rate of about 95% is considered optimum as it allows for normal shutdown required for maintenance and seasonal adjustments. The operable capacity of Nigerian refineries has on average 0 – 15% utilization, which make them grossly under utilized. High utilization capacity is one of the things that make for profit margin scenario for refineries. The refinery industry has historically been a high- volume, low- margin industry, characterised by low return on investments and volatile profits. Profitability is measured by return on investment, defined as the net income contributed by refining/marketing as a percentage of net fixed assets (net property, plant, and equipment plus investments and advances)[10]. One way to represent the economics of a refinery is to calculate its Refinery Gross Margin[11]. For example, if a refinery receives $80 from the sale of the products refined from a barrel of crude oil that costs $70/bbl, then the Refinery Gross Margin is $10/bbl. The Net or Cash Margin is equal to the gross margin minus the operating costs (excluding income taxes, depreciation and financial charge. If a refinery experiences operating costs of $2 per barrel, then the Net Margin is $8/bbl[12]. The refinery margins are normally set on a competitive market, where the market is open. The contrary is the case in the Nigerian environment, the refineries are not working, and whenever they do, profit is never the aim. 3. PETROLEUM PRODUCT ECONOMICS Refined products market is different from crude oil market in a number of ways, owing to the scale of operation ( much smaller for refined products: a typical crude oil transaction involves 500,000 or even one million barrels of oil, while a typical refined products sale may involve only 5,000 to 10,000 bbls), quality considerations, price di fferentials and market size. In a competitive market, refined product prices are determined by supply, demand and inventory conditions at a given location and time[13]. International (border) price comes to play in the economics of refined products. The exchange rate used to convert the dollar value of imports into the domestic currency is the interbank exchange market rate, which is market determined. A freight charge (including insurance margin) is added to the value to get the landed cost. Import duty, domestic distribution, storage, marketing, and transportation margins are then added to obtain the order price at retail level[14]. Imported petroleum products also has additional cost like; Port charges, taxes and export duties at source country, insurance costs for transportation and brokerage costs for agents. The obvious reality is that there exists a wide range of domestic prices for petroleum products, determined mainly by the market and subject only to taxes and special charges in the developed countries. However, in developing countries like Nigeria, the prices are fixed by the government. Hence, the products are bought at the international price with a very high interbank exchange rate, and sold at a heavily subsidized, domestic rate, which has serious implications to the economy. 4. CRUDE OIL REFINING, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IMPORTATION AND THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY. For a start, the estimated daily crisis-free demand for petroleum products in Nigeria today, are 30 million litres of petrol (PMS), 12 million litres of kerosene (DPK), 18 million litres of diesel oil (AGO), and 780 metric tons (1. 4 million litres) of cooking gas (LPG)†¦. †(Braide, 2003)[15]. Nigeria with a population of 158. 2 million (UN, 2010) and increment to workers salary in the recent years, which have empower ed quite a number of people to acquire some petroleum products demanding appliances, is much more pent-up now than in the last ten years. This makes it more challenging to satisfy. Government have obviously chosen a very hard alternative, importation, to have the demand met. With a weak currency (of N153 = $1), at a current price of crude on the international market and heavily subsidized domestic price of petroleum products. For instance, PMS have been at N65 ($42 cents)/litre in Nigeria for a couple of years now, as against the expected open market price of N131. 32 ($84 cents)/litre[16]. Importation, though the only alternative to the non-functional refineries, is economically catastrophic. For instance, Government spent $1. 34billion[17] from January to March, 2011 to import petroleum products to the country. In a year, this will amount to $5. 36 billion for importation alone, this excludes importations from marketing companies in Nigeria, tax waivers, demurrage and other implied costs that makes the total amount of importing the commodities extremely high. Government Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), which was established to disburse funds to the importing companies and the NNPC have between January, 2006 and July 2008 spent US$ 9. 2 billion[18] for subsidy alone. The fund also spent over US$ 3 billion from 2009 to the first quarter of 2010[19] for subsidising the importation of PMS and HHK within the period. The Year-on-year importation of petroleum products keep depleting the country’s external reserve, thereby putting the economy in bad standing. On the other hand, the KRPC, WRPC and PHRC (new) were built with lump sums of $525 million, $478 million, and $850 million respectively[20]. Unfortunately, with the poor management, the refineries from every statistics available have become liabilities to the country. With ultra low capacity utilization, a huge staff, high operating cost, no profit from NNPC year-on-year accounts[21], the refineries at present state are not economical. The implication of these is that the cost of crude oil, refining, importation, and distribution of the products are borne by the country’s treasury. A private sector run refinery industry is the only answer for meeting domestic demand at a very huge economic gain and energy security to the country. This will also revive the ailing petrochemical industry, which has a massive ripple effect on job creation, directly and through other dependent industries like Paint and Plastic industries. But before this can be realised the unavoidable deregulation has to take place. Little wonder why the over 18 private licensed refinery companies are yet to mobilise to site. Therefore, Government should revisit the issue of deregulation, and then privatise the state-run refineries. This massive importation does no good at all to the country, and should be reduced to near zero minimum. 5. CONCLUSION Government should be commended for taking up the challenge of building the capital intensive refineries, being beyond the ability of any local company at the time. It created energy security, jobs, averted looming crisis arising from massive shortage of supply of petroleum products and saved so much cost. But its continual running of the refineries is, to say the least wasteful and harmful to the economy. Refineries are commercial ventures, with huge financial implications, and do not provide much employment opportunities to warrant such protectionism by Government[22]. Obviously, it is only a few that benefits in a State-run refinery at the expense of many. Privatisation of the refineries holds more prospects economically to the country than what obtains. At the time being, the unenviable net importer position of the country is no more sustainable. Less Importation would save so much cost and the Nigerian economy shielded from the unstable, volatile international petroleum price. Subsidy has caused considerable loss of revenue and a rapid growth in domestic oil consumption as low price does not reflect real cost for consumption. It has contributed to the collapse of local refineries, as price of fuel do not show cost of supply. Reluctance of private players to invest in refineries, persistent fuel shortages at filling stations, dilapidated supply and distribution infrastructures, smuggling, and product adulteration, all of which impact substantially on the economy are the consequences of the continues subsidy regime in place. Everything should be done to encourage a functional refinery industry to check the crippling importations. An efficient refinery industry in Nigeria would have massive market both within the country and in the neighbouring ountries, and this brings immeasurable economic gains that are able to change the economic outlook of the country. BIBLIOGRAPHY PRIMARY SOURCES NATIONAL LEGISLATIONS The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act, 1977 The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Act, 2003, No 8, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria SECONDARY SOURCES BOOKS Gary, J. H. , Handwerk, G. E. , Kaiser, M. J. , Petroleum Refining Technology and Economics, (5th Edition) (United States of America, Florida, CRC Press, 2007). OTHERS INTERNET SOURCES Braide, K. M. The Mechanics of Fuel Scarcity in Nigeria, http://www. nigerdeltacongress. com/marticles/mechanics_dynamics_fuel_scarc. htm. (assessed 13/04/2011). CBN, http://www. cenbank. org/Out/2011/pressrelease/gvd/CommuniqueforMPCMeetingofMarch 21 22 2011_21st Mar_. pdf (assessed 01/05/2011). CIA, The World Factbook, http://www. cia. gov/library/Publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni. html (assessed 18/04/2011). Hossain, M. S. , Taxation and Pricing of Petroleum Products in Developing Countries: A Framework for Analysis with Application to Nigeria, http://www. imf. rg/external/Pubs/ft/wp/2003/wp0342. pdf (assessed 20/04/2011). Iba, L. , Fuel Crisis: Still waiting for private refineries, http://64. 182. 172/webpages/news/2010/july/12//busines-12-2010. 001. htm (assessed 09/05/2011). Nigerian Refineries: History, Problems an d Possible solutions, http://www. businessdayonline. com/NG/index. php/oil/3256-nigerian-refineries-history-problems-and-possible-solutions-1 (assessed 09/05/2011). NNPC, Annual Statistics Bulletin, http://www. nnpcgroup. com/Portals/0/MonthlyPerformance/2009ABS Web. pdf (assessed 01/05/2011). NNPC, Subsidiaries, http://www. npcgroup. com/NNPCBusiness/Subsidiaries/ (assessed 09/05/2011). PPPRA, Report on the Administration of the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), http://www. pppra-nigeria. org/briefonadministrationofPSF. pdf (assessed 01/05/2011). Refinery Economics, http://nrcan. gc. ca/eneene/sources/petpet/refraf-eng. php (assessed 19/04/2011). Refining & Product Specifications – Overview, http://www. petroleumonline. com/content/overviemCont. asp? mod=8&ord=10 (assessed 19/04/2011). ———————– [1]CIA-The World Factbook, at http://www. cia. gov/library/Publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni. tml (assessed 18/04/2011) [2] N NPC 2009 annual report and EIA Nigeria Energy Data, Statistics and Analysis-oil, Gas, Electricity, coal [3] This is the maximum number of barrels of input that a distillation facility can process when running at full capacity under optimal crude and product slate condition with no allowance for downtime. [4] Nigerian Refineries: History, Problems and Possible solutions, at http://www. businessdayonline. com/NG/index. php/oil/3256-nigerian-refineries-history-problems-and-possible-solutions-1 (assessed 09/05/2011) [5] Ibid [6] Ibid [7] Ibid [8] Refinery Economics, at http://nrcan. gc. a/eneene/sources/petpet/refraf-eng. php (assessed 19/04/2011) [9] Ibid [10]Ibid [11] The difference in dollars per barrel between its product revenue (sum of barrels of each product multiplied by the price of each product) and the cost of raw materials (primarily crude, but also purchased additives like butane and ethanol) [12] Refining & Product Specifications – Overview, at http://www. petroleum online. com/content/overviewConti. asp? mod=8&ord=10 (assessed 20/04/2011) [13]Gary, J. H. , Handwerk, G. E. , Kaiser, M. J. , Petroleum Refining Technology and Economics, (5th Edition) (United States of America, Florida: CRC Press, 2007) at 18-19. 14]Hossain, M. S. , Taxation and pricing of Petroleum Products in Developing Countries: A Framework for Analysis with Application to Nigeria, at http://www. imf. org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2003/wp0342. pdf (assessed 20/04/2011) [15] Braide, K. M. , The Mechanics of Fuel Scarcity in Nigeria at http://www. nigedeltacongress. com/martiles/mechanics_dynamics_of_fuel_scarc. htm (assessed 20/04/2011). [16] Ibid [17]CBN, http://www. cenbank. org/Out/2011/pressrelease/gvd/CommuniqueforMPCMeetingofMarch21 22 2011_21stMarch_. pdf (assessed 02/05/2011). [18]PPPRA, Report on the

Stem Cell Research And Genetic Testing - 2544 Words

Bioethics is studied to find ethical reasoning in life science and the experiments that are done in this field to further understand concepts in this subject. Many controversial topics surround bioethics, because even though some forms of science technology and research can help to understand biological concepts better, they can have negative drawbacks on the subject experimented on and the group involved around it. This creates a difficult triangle of choice between what will be best for science, what will the US law allow, and what is morally right in science research and technology. Two controversial topics in bioethics include stem cell research and genetic testing, whether it be on humans or animals. Stem cell research involves the†¦show more content†¦Genetic testing on humans and animals is when scientist experiment on human or animal cells, specifically DNA, to understand multiple biological concepts that can help stop certain diseases or see how certain proteins are made in a body. This form of research arises many questions, whether it be if it is morally right to test, if it should be illegal, if the subject should have consent, or if it will be worth the negative drawbacks it can have on the subject. In the past, scientist would inject diseases and test on humans of certain races that didn’t seem to be â€Å"important† at the time and would kill many in this process, as seen in the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment where researchers killed hundred of African American men by injecting them with syphillis (Skloot). When uproar came from the idea of genetic testing on humans, scientist moved to other similar organism such as animals which didn’t stop the controversy. Many considered this practice as animal torture, and that the animal didn’t have any way to consent for it making it morally wrong. They also argued that testing on animals wouldn’t be as effective for curing human diseases since the organisms DNA wil l function differently. Stem cells are extracted from an embryo by either a immunosurgical method, the whole embryo

Sermon At The Word Of Faith Christian Church Delivered By...

On Tuesday, November 26, I critically listened to a sermon at The Word of Faith Christian Church delivered by Pastor Julius Stephens. It was a regular Tuesday bible study with about eight people. Pastor Stephens s topic for the day was everybody has a purpose. In this paper, I will critique Pastor Stephens s sermon based on its introduction, body, delivery, conclusion and finally my overall reaction to his speech. The reason for the speaker s sermon was to ensure his audience realizes their worth. Pastor Stephens speech introduction started with an attention-getting device and then followed with a Short anecdote which he used to further explain his topic. His attention-getting device was the quotation If you don t know the purpose of†¦show more content†¦To enable better understanding Pastor Stephens s maintained good volume in speaking marking sure we didn t have to strain to hear him. He also made the sermon very interactive asking a lot of question and asked the views of his audience on an issue in order to engage them. He maintained good eye contact and didn t use a lot of hand gestures so he didn t distract his audience from the topic. He used spoke audaciously, he took risks in saying things that may or may not hurt people s feelings in order to pass his point effectively. The speaker also made use of transition words this made his sermon coherent. The body of the sermon was mostly centralized on the purpose of each and every one of us in the church, the saying everything happens for a reason and his view on it. He stated that every person in the church has a particular purpose. He used the example of a human s body stating that every part of the body has particular purposes. He went further to say in the body of Christ some of us maybe the legs, the eyes, the mouth, and the eyes of the church. He said every one of us has a purpose in the church as every part of our body has a particular task to perform. He said those of us who are evangelist are the mouth of the church; he said those of us who are givers are the hands of the church, and those of us who have the money to sponsor the movement of the gospel around the world are the feet. This example made me and other audience member understand our

Analysis Of Ben Franklin And The Middle Of The Storm

Electronics and electricity have come a long way since they were first being discovered. That is not to say that what was originally thought is now wrong or obsolete, but rather has been added to or has been more refined. When most people think of electricity what comes to mind is Ben Franklin with his kite and a key in the middle of the storm. However, that is only one completely minor detail which led to the discovery and the ability to harness and use what was already happening in nature. Only on a scale that could be used by an everyday person. Although it is something we all use every day, most people do not really know who or what has been done in the field of electronics and electricity. Most just take for granted the fact†¦show more content†¦A galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell that derives electrical energy from spontaneous redox reactions taking place within the cell. Although it is not certain whether the artifact was electrical in nature or used f or some other use that was needed within the culture (Britannica, 2014). The history of electricity had little if any advancement for many years since the time of Thales. In fact it was nothing more than thought and curiosity until the 1600’s. It was at this point English scientist â€Å"William Gilbert made a careful study of electricity and magnetism, distinguishing the lodestone effect from static electricity produced by rubbing amber. He later coined the new Latin word electricus meaning (â€Å"of Amber† or â€Å"like Amber†)† (Stewart 2001). We skip ahead another century to the times of such great minds as Otto von Guericke, Robert Boyle, Stephen Gray, C. F. du Fay, and Benjamin Franklin. Franklin conducted extensive studies and performed hundreds of experiments. He even went as far as to sell off many of his own possessions in order to fund his work. Meanwhile it was in of June 1752 that he has been reputed to have attached a metal key to t he bottom of a dampened kite string and had flown the kite in a storm threatened sky (Srodes, James, 2002). By doing so he had sparks jumping from the key into the back of his hand, he had thus proved that

Leaders born or made Free Essays

string(82) " not be on teaching leadership, instead getting participants to learn leadership\." There has always been a difference opinion on whether leaders are made or born. At numerous times people have been heard to exclaim about someone that he or she is a person that is born to lead. People have tendency to believe that good and effective leaders are people who are naturally bestowed with excellent communication skills, persuasive ability, and born with knack to integrate them in any team structure. We will write a custom essay sample on Leaders: born or made or any similar topic only for you Order Now Further, there are also firm opinions that it is not possible for every one to naturally acquire the skills of seamlessly inspiring a group of people, set sufficient challenges, and make every one of the group to accept those challenges and strive together to achieve them. However, years of academic research among leaders from social, business and corporate world and political domain have brought out results that stand contrary to popular perception of leaders and their ‘innate qualities and abilities’ of leading people and show that effective leadership is an art that can be very much learned and practiced to perfection by anyone who devotes sufficient time and attention to it.   This paper takes the point of view that leadership is a quality that can be learned by anyone with ordinary levels of intelligence and smartness and looks into the range of skills, requirements and capabilities needed by a person to develop leadership qualities. Leadership: Definition Leadership is the attribute of inspiring people to channel their efforts towards achieving common goals and objectives (Rosenbach and Taylor, 1998, 1). Leadership is the recognition that attainment of the group objectives and goals can be accomplished through empowering individuals and encouraging them to overcome their rank and position in order to associate themselves and their colleagues with specific works, duties and responsibilities by setting directions, building commitment and taking challenges (Day and Halpin, 2004, 3). An important attribute of a leader is his ability to command implicit faith, confidence, and respect of his followers, irrespective of his position and power in the organization.. A leader motivates the employees by setting personal examples, and takes decisions that are quite unconventional, innovative and on the spot to resolve a deadlock. However, the most important quality of a leader is that he/she encourages leadership qualities their followers and help to create a multi-tier leader structure within the organization/group. Organizational leadership: Roles and necessities As the corporate world becomes increasingly competitive and diversified, organizational focus has shifted on developing leadership talents among the employees to maintain their competitive edge.   Transnational companies, with their multi-level reporting structure, multiple communication networks, numerous levels of responsibilities and faced with significant differences in time, language and organizational culture are faced with the responsibility of leadership development among their employees to meet customers’ demands within the limited time and resources (Collins, 2001).   Organizations are managed by several forms of leadership based on the exertion of authority within the organization. Two main, but interconnected types of leadership in organizations are the transformational leadership and the transactional leadership, both having strong philosophical and ethical foundations. Transformational leadership gives followers the opportunity to assess the leader’s view, to seek explanations and provide solutions, while transactional leadership is more based on imposition, where followers are driven by the praise, promise or reward of the leader. In the transactional leadership, the followers are confronted by reproof, threats and disciplinary actions. Transformational leadership has become more popular in the last three decades primarily due to the changing global economy. Transformational leadership promotes equality, justice and human rights through loyalty and fairness. Recent findings suggest that team performance and communication are improved under transformational leadership. Authentic transformational leaders are sometimes transactional too. The leader may present his opinion, plans and exhort agreement on them, which however may be in the mutual interest of all involved. I consider myself as a typical transformational leader open to criticism and discussion, unafraid of my decisions being questioned. After all only collective thinking and cooperation can bring results. Today the business world realizes that leadership is neither hierarchal nor stratified nor leadership is management. Instead leadership is about inspiring people to pool themselves together towards achieving common goals and objectives (Rosenbach and Taylor, 1998, 1. Leadership is about building commitment and taking challenges by timely distribution of specific works, duties and responsibilities and through setting directions (Day and Halpin, 2004, 3). Its not surprising then that companies are ready to invest hugely in leadership development program, as a guaranteed way to emerge ahead than their competitors. Developing Leadership Qualities There are abundant examples from almost every quarter of business and public domains to show that with well help   designed training programs and experience even otherwise ordinary individuals can emerge as successful leaders in their own spheres. Leadership development process works on two levels. It is suggested coaching and mentoring involves practical and goal focused methods of individual and group learning and behavioral change. For obtaining most effective results and developing specific leadership skills coaching allows individuals to collaborate in methodologically assessing, understanding and solving the issue before them. It leads them to challenge the existing solution models and explore further possibilities through joint effort and accountability. Mentoring is an essential part of educational program, involves commitment and long term relationship between a senior employee and a junior employee where the latter helps in professional and personal development of the for mer. The second level of leadership development is action learning that requires participants to tackle   real life and real time organizational problems (ibid). Through a careful selection of objectives and problems, participants are trained on delivering organizational results, communication learning and management and develop general leadership qualities. It benefits participants greatly as it provides them crucial exposure and considerable experience within a short time. Along with these, modern organizations have also adopted the technique of job rotation, so that individuals have widest possible exposure and experience of company’s functional and organizational processes. It is vital to remember that the focus should not be on teaching leadership, instead getting participants to learn leadership. You read "Leaders: born or made" in category "Essay examples" Every person has a potential to emerge in a leader by gaining   knowledge, purpose and experience and apply themselves more   effectively in their personal and professional domains Leadership is not a characteristic that can unfold in isolation. By its definition, it implies establishing coordination, cooperation, collaboration and orientation among the followers to achieve the designated objectives and goals. However, it is only possible when leaders can inspire their followers with respect, admiration, discipline, sense of emulation and confidence in the abilities of the leader while being helped to envision themselves as empowered individuals (Brown and Lord, 2004, 2).   Most relevant qualities of a leader Within every social, institutional or organizational structure, a leader is always looked upon the person with abilities to broach reconciliation and resolution in situation of conflict. A good leader exercises his control over most complex, demanding and otherwise impossible condition by exhibiting personal integrity, ethical and moral traits and values that other can relate to and get inspired to include them in their personal conduct (Laurie, 2000, 53). Another very crucial characteristics of leadership is that it produces new leaders from among the followers and hence, through a multiplier effect, results in empowerment of individuals and communities. Leadership helps the followers to discover and grow their internal abilities and encourage them to become an integral part of the process, not a mere tool. This causes a reinstating of self pride and confidence among followers and it earns leaders willing obedience of people who realize the integrity of the leader in creating a just, legitimate and encouraging environment where they see themselves as valued members and in turn lend their unconditional support to the joint cause under the leadership (Messick, 2005, 81) Arguably, there are no definite copybook rules to construct a leader. The difficulties, complexities, and challenges associated with a situation give impetus to leadership qualities in otherwise ordinary people who believe in themselves that they are capable of rising up to the difficulties as well as helping others out of it. Therefore although it might be difficult to ‘teach’ a person quality of good leader, yet one can expect to inculcate leadership qualities by observing styles and principles of successful leaders. It is said that a leader is a dealer in hope. Leadership is then about inspiration, motivation, encouragement and direction that pulls people to accomplishments that they would not had managed if left alone. However, effective leadership is a very challenging domain as it requires some impeccable personal and organizational traits that can be developed and realized through considerable experience, knowledge and self- discipline.   Quite often the leadership is situational and the leader is required to act purely through intuition and circumstantial requirements. However there are certain essential skills and characteristics that are rather mandatory for effective leadership are 1 Trustworthiness: Trustworthiness is about integrity in action. Effective leadership is about achieving coordination in words and actions and following the age old principles of truth, honesty and personal integrity. 2. Fairness: Leaders can’t afford to be biased or prejudiced or it would jeopardize the confidence of the followers in their secular character. 3. Communication and listening skill. Leadership requires excellent communication and listening skill through which the leaders can articulate their views unambiguously and also hear the views of others to give them sense of participation and involvement. 4. Initiative: Leadership is about taking initiative and orienting other people towards it. Taking initiative pulls the organization rapidly ahead. 5. Good judgment: Leaders must have the ability to process all information in the backdrop of their knowledge to make correct decisions 6. Motivational capacity: Leadership is ineffective if it cant motivate people to the dream and vision of the leader. It is the most desirous quality of a leader and one that is hallmark of leadership. Motivation has a large role to play in developing leadership. According to Isaac, Pitt and Zerbe (2001) individuals aspiring for leadership are greatly assisted a motivational model, called as expectancy theory, that suggests that self interest prompts individuals to charter a course where they tend to maximize the chances of success and growth. Thus self interest acts as a motivation that spurs people to take upon leadership roles and aspire to meet needs of followers along with requirements of the organization (ibid). Also, when leaders meet with followers, it generally results in entire work atmosphere getting highly motivated and people are spirited with aspiration to transcend their present roles and step in the role of leaders (ibid). Leadership is influenced by both extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. In the former, motivational behavior is seen as product of external rewards and remunerations while the latter treat motivational behavior as result of internal drives such as enjoyment of work and inner sense of competence (Isaac, Pitt and Zerbe). In either case, individuals are motivated to assume leadership to maximize their self-interest. Leadership: Personal Attributes A good leader should be honest, loyal and committed to the goals of the organization he intends to lead. A good leader should not have a desire for wrongful gains or hidden agendas. This is why perhaps people emphasize on transparency in all dealings of any organization. Some leaders have a self plan and pursue them rather than acting in the interests of the organization. Committed to the cause of the organization or group and being live to the sacrifices and pains of your colleagues is a basic quality of a good leader. National leaders and particularly the freedom fighters of several nations had steadfast qualities and determination in them, which helped them carry on and ultimately succeed. A good leader is perhaps a good follower. There is never a stage in which one can have mastered everything and this applies even to leadership. Each day brings learning and experience of various types. A good leader is one who applies these learning and experience by identifying the most appropriate situation of their application.   perhaps the rights and wrongs of your own acts too. . A leader is accountable for his actions and should voluntarily open up to any questions or suspicions in his dealings. Similarly a good leader should also emphasize such qualities among his followers and make them accountable too. Simplicity is a mark of identity for any leader and projecting himself as a role model. A leader’s thoughts, actions and words should be a reflection of him, inspiring all who follow. A leader indeed should have uncommon qualities to successfully lead his organization. Conclusion Leadership is a quality that comes through effective utilization of experience, education, self-evaluation eagerness to learn and grow. None of these qualities require a transcendental genius or divine abilities to master. They are human attributes that are present among every one of us and given time, training and motivation to master them. The truth about leadership is that any person who has wholly ingrained the necessary leadership qualities as an integral part of their character would appear as one who is born with them. reference Collins DB, 2001, ‘Organizational Performance: The Future Focus of Leadership Development Programs’, Journal of Leadership Studies. Volume: 7. Issue: 4. Day DV and Halpin SM, 2004, Leader Development for Transforming Organizations: Growing Leaders for Tomorrow,   (edit) David V. Day, Stanley M. Halpin, Stephen J. Zaccaro, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,   Mahwah, NJ. Rosenbach WE and Taylor RL, 1998, Contemporary Issues in Leadership, (edit) William E. Rosenbach, Robert L. Taylor, Westview Press,Boulder, CO. Brown DJ, Lord, RG,   2004, Leadership Processes and Follower Self-Identity,   Lawrence Erlbaum Mahwah, NJ Champy J, Nohria N, 1999, The Arc of Ambition: Defining the Leadership Journey, Perseus Books (Current Publisher: Perseus PublishingCambridge, MA. Rosenbach WE and Taylor RL, 1998, Contemporary Issues in Leadership, (edit) William E. Rosenbach, Robert L. Taylor, Westview Press,Boulder, CO. How to cite Leaders: born or made, Essay examples

U.S History Module free essay sample

?similarities and differences between the First and Second Industrial Revolutions increase in immigration decrease in agricultural jobs increase in factory jobs economic challenges to farmers and farmers responses to those challenges in the mid to late 1800s fewer farm workers were needed; farmers went to bigger cities for factory jobs farms were shut down; farmers became industrial workers changes that occurred as the United States shifted from an agrarian to an industrial society Social Darwinism- a 19th-century doctrine that the social order is a product of natural selection of those persons best suited to existing living conditions. migration to cities urbanization the causes, course, and consequences of the labor movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s cause- the want for better working conditions and better treatment from their employers In 1833 the Factory Act passed by Parliament. The law limited the amount of time children could work. In the 20th century the Children’s Bureau was founded in 1912, which the U. We will write a custom essay sample on U.S History Module or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page S. government was responsible to monitor child labor. the impact of political machines in the United States Local politicians could quickly and effectively organize help for individuals or groups of individuals. What the bosses asked for in return was your vote to keep them in office. It was complete and absolute throughout the entire machine. Everybody got their cut except the average citizen. significant inventors and inventions of the Industrial Revolution James Watt First reliable Steam Engine 1775 Eli Whitney Cotton Gin, Interchangeable parts for muskets 1793, 1798 Robert Fulton Regular Steamboat service on the Hudson River 1807 Samuel F. B. Morse Telegraph 1836 Elias Howe Sewing Machine 1844 Isaac Singer Improves and markets Howes Sewing Machine 1851 Cyrus Field Transatlantic Cable 1866 Alexander Graham Bell Telephone 1876 Thomas Edison Phonograph, First Long-Lasting Incandescant Light Bulb 1877, 1879 Nikola Tesla Induction Electric Motor 1888 Rudolf Diesel Diesel Engine 1892 Orville and Wilbur Wright First Airplane 1903 Henry Ford Model T Ford, Large-Scale Moving Assembly Line the immigrant experience in the United States the importance of social change and reform in the late 1800s and early 1900s Better working conditions in work places were achieved. Meat Inspection Act was passed Many children began attending school. School became integrated Public places became available to blacks as well as whites