AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examine and STD the problems of Solid Waste Management in Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, a stratified ematic random sampling technique was used to draw the sample from the six geopolitical zones of the country namely North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. From each zone a state was selected; thus the total number of  states involved in the study was six. Based on the findings of this study ,the results showed that, there were problems to effective collection, storage and disposal of solid wastes in Nigeria. Also funds available for the collection, storage and disposal of solid wastes in Nigeria were grossly inadequate. The results further showed that, there were inadequacies in the management of the available funds in the respective agencies for the collection, storage and disposal of solid wastes in Nigeria. It was also revealed in the study that available facilities and equipment for collection, storage and disposal of solid wastes are grossly inadequate in all the agencies in Nigeria. Although there are professionals and competent personnel in the agencies, the results showed that, their number was not commensurate with the required activities of the agencies in terms of collection, storage and disposal of the solid wastes generated in the states.Based on the results obtained, it was   recommended that governments should endeavour to provide basic facilities and equipment, funds, personnel especially the lower cadre and ensure effective process of adequate utilization of the available funds and ensure proper accountability at all levels in the collection, storage and disposal of solid wastes in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

The management of urban solid wastes constitutes one of the immediate and serious  environmental problems  facing  governments in  African cities  (Baumgartner,

2003).  The  conventional  municipal  solid  waste  management  approach,  based  on collection and disposal, has failed to provide efficient and effective services to all urban residents (Vancini, 2000). The urban environment steadily degrades due to large volumes of waste which are not efficiently managed.  In Nigeria, it is common to find large heaps of garbage and other wastes all over the cities. Abugo (1999) reported that 35% of Ibadan’s household, 33% of Kaduna’s and 44% of Enugu’s do not have access to waste collection and disposal services. Odeyemi and Onibokun (1997) described Lagos as the dirtiest capital in the world. In most parts of the cities, streets are partially or wholly blocked by solid wastes. Similarly, open spaces and market places are littered with solid wastes. In most cases, drains are clogged or totally blocked and many compounds are hemmed in by solid wastes.   However,   this deplorable situation is not peculiar to Nigerian cities.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA