ABSTRACT
Solid waste is an unwanted
materials generated in production or consumption processes which are solid in
nature or form. Indiscriminate disposal
of solid wastes in the study area poses a threat to public health and the
environment. The researcher investigates
the public health implications of solid wastes disposal management in Enugu
metropolis, types of wastes, factors affecting waste disposal, public health
hazards associated with unsanitary solid waste disposal, contribution of Enugu
state government to the waste disposal agencies in the discharge of their
duties and the effectiveness of Enugu state waste management agency towards
effective waste management in the metropolis.
Well structured questionnaires were administered among 400 selected
respondents from the three selected areas. Data were presented in frequency
table and percentage tables. The average
mean score (AMS) technique was used to test the hypotheses. It was observed
that indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes leads to odour nuisance, unsightliness,
five and road accident, flooding, diseases and road constriction. The researcher recommends health education to
the residence on the importance of safe environment, sanitary waste disposal
and safe excretal management. Government
should always encourage Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) in the
discharge of their duties and ESWAMA should be manned by professionals for
proper and sanitary waste management to be adopted in the metropolis.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 5
1.3 Aim and objectives of the Study 7
1.4 Research Questions 8
1.5 Research Hypotheses 8
1.6 Significance of the Study 9
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 12
2.1 Concept
of Solid Waste and Management 12
2.1.1 Environmental
Costs 15
2.1.2 Social Costs 15
2.1.3 Economic Costs 15
2.2 Classification
of Wastes 17
2.2.1 Household/Municipal Wastes 17
2.2.2 Industrial/Hazardous Wastes 18
2.2.3 Biomedical/Infectious Waste 19
2.3 Factors
Affecting solid waste Management 19
Over
population 20
Lack
of funds/Financial Constraints 20
Lack
of Technical Know-how 21
Lack
of Effective Monitoring 21
Ignorance/Lack
of Environment 22
2.4 Waste
Management in Nigeria 22
2.5 Methods
of Waste Disposal 23
2.5.1
Sanitary Landfill/controlled Tipping 24
2.5.2 Integrated Waste Management 24
2.5.3
On-site Disposal 25
2.5.4 Incineration 25
2.5.5 Composting and Anaerobic Digestion 26
2.5.6 Open Dumping 26
2.5.7 Recycling 27
2.5.8
Resource Recovery 27
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY 28
3.2 Area of
Study 28
3.3 Study
Population/Participants 29
3.4 Sampling
Techniques 30
3.5 Sample
Size Determination 31
3.6 Method/Source
of Data Collection 32
3.7 Research
Design 32
3.8 Research
Procedures 33
3.8 Data
Analysis 33
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 DATA/RESULT
PRESENTATION/ANALYSIS 35
4.2 Results
and Discussion 35
4.3 Presentation
and Analysis of Substantive Research Data 39
4.4 Hypotheses
Testing 44
4.5 Summary
of Findings 45
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSION
OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Discussion
of Findings 46
5.2 Implications
of the Study 48
5.3 Limitations
of the Study 49
5.4 Conclusion
49
5.5 Recommendations 50
5.6 Suggestions
for Further Studies 51
References 52
Appendix
I 56
Appendix
II 57
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Historically, the problems of waste
management were made prominent during the industrial revolution in Great
Britain in 1845. Solid wastes constituted a global problem since they are
generated almost every minute in homes, markets and other places in different
parts of the world. Statistics show that
Nigerian population generate refuse at the rate of 0.43kg/head/day and about
70-80% of it is organic in nature, 15% plastic/nylon and 1-2% metal scraps. It
is estimated that 30-50% of solid waste generated within the urban areas remain
uncollected. This leads to solid waste accumulating on road sides, lands,
blocking roads and drainage channels. The insufficient collection and poor
disposal practices generate serious health related problems to human and the
environment (Loboka et al., 2013).
However, various legislations concerning
the management of waste and basic sanitation were enacted in England for
Nigerians during the colonial era to promote healthy environment and enhance
man’s standard of living. These include formation of Lagos Executive Committee
Board of 1928, Sanitation Boards and Task Forces, Federal/State Environmental
Protection Agencies and National Orientation Agency, with the advent of
industrial revolution, there were massive migration from rural to urban or
industrialized cities and towns which made the towns to be over populated
(Uchegbu, 2002). This made the
industrial and domestic wastes to be on its increase and posing threat to human
health and the environment. The
percentage of Nigerians living in urban areas and cities have more than doubled
in the last 15 years (Jimoh, 2005). The
volume of solid waste generated does not actually constitute the problem but
the ability or the inability of the governments, individuals and waste disposal
agencies to keep up to the tasks of managing wastes and the environment. Dirty
environment affects the standard of living, aesthetic sensibilities, health of
the people and also their quality of lives.
Cases of mountain like waste dumps in residential areas are attributed
to dumping of wastes in an unauthorized dumpsites according to Kadafa et al., 2013). Improper disposal or
storage of these wastes can constitute hazards to the society at large through
pollution of air, land especially their water sources.
However, Enugu
State government has adopted different solid waste disposal methods such as the
initial incinerator machines, and the recently waste compaction vehicles which
are insufficient (Titus et al.,
2014).
Despite the
involvement of governmental and non-governmental agencies, solid waste
management still poses problems to the people and also the environment.
Most
administrations of Enugu State have been doing their bests to see that Enugu
State is clean by continuous maintenance of sanitation crew and fleets of
vehicles since inception of ESWAMA in 2004.
Residents of some parts such as Agbani Road, Uwani, Emene, Ugbene in
Abakpa, many people are still complaining bitterly despite the efforts of the
ESWAMA which is not enough. Some
residence of these areas where these dumps are located threaten not to pay
ESWAMA bills any longer as the wastes are heaped waiting to be evacuated
through weeks.
Solid waste
problems started with urban growth resulted partly from national increase in
population and more importantly from immigration (Ugwu et al., 212). The common waste management practices in Nigeria
(Enugu) involved the collection of mixture of wastes and dumping them at the
dumpsites as opined by Kadafa et al.,
(2013). Increase in population is not matched with an equal increase in service
and revenue for the local waste management in the municipalities (Zerbock,
2003).
In addition, there is a noticeable
emigration of youths either as a result of economic independence or as a desire
to be nearer the place of work, with the consequences that urban areas are
occupied by more elderly people who have neither the means nor the ability to
effect any housing improvements (Olarunola et
al., 2007:203). On the other hand,
Ogunrioala and Adepegha (2012) expressed that waste generated in developed
countries is high due to urbanization, production ad consumption activities.
Disposal of
solid wastes received less attention than its collection as about 90% of solid
wastes collected in cities end up in open dumps (Centreau, 2008).
Where
government authorities collect refuse, they do so on irregular or sporadic
bases. The recycling of wastes is negligible while methods of storage,
collection, transportation, compaction and final disposal are really
unsatisfactory. The insanitary conditions of solid waste collection processing
and disposal contributes greatly to urban environmental degradation and is also
contributing factor to flood disasters in some areas during raining season. Access to improve sanitation contributes to
human health dignity, security and wellbeing of people (Sida, 2012).
The alarming rate at which heaps of
solid waste continue to occupy roads and places coupled with the fact that 87%
of Nigerians use disposal methods adjudged as insanitary, has not only
constituted visual blight and odour nuisance but also encouraged the breeding
of rodents, mosquitoes and other pests of public health importance, with
attendant disease outbreak.
Some waste are
non biodegradable like pure water sachet, some are toxic and polythene shopping
bags, industrial/chemical wastes can contaminate soil and ground water sources
if not properly disposed. Cities only
collect 50-80% of wastes generated (Medina, 2010) and this is a problem.
Other major concern is human excreta and
health care institution wastes which are infections and hazardous to human and
the environment. WHO estimated that
contaminated synrings cause 21 million hepatitis B virus, 2 million hepatitis
(virus and 260,000 HIV/AIDs worldwide in the developing countries to scavengers
during waste sorting in the year 2000 according to El-Safty (2014). Human faeces contain a wide range of disease
causing organisms such as virus, bacteria, eggs or larvae of human parasites
(Unuraye, 2011:17).
According to Okoye (2008), the public
waste management authorities, individuals and the public do not measure up to
the expectations of the citizens, as proved by the prevalence of wastes in all
nooks and crannies of the research area.
Atuegbu, (2007) expressed that about 500-850 metric tons of wastes are
generated daily in Enugu metropolis and only 50-80% of it are collected
according to Medina, 2010).
To succeed in waste management for
healthy environmental quality, the solid waste management agencies such as
ESWAMA should seek the immediate participation of people in taking wastes to
designated dump sides, proper waste bagging, encourage people to actively
participate in last Saturday clean-up exercise and payment of sanitation
rates. To improve on public
participation, ESWAMA should begin to sanction defaulters by instituting a
special court for quick dispensation of justice in this regard.
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
The task of maintaining a healthy
environment through sanitary disposal of waste has become more difficult in
recent times in Nigeria, Enugu State in particular. Solid waste today has become a number one
serious environmental problem facing the state, with its consequent effects on
the pollution of water, air and land; not mentioning its hazard to people’s
health and social wellbeing. The waste
management in most cases accounts for 30-50% of municipal operational budgets
(Medina, 2010). Municipal solid waste
management therefore continues to be a major headache for local government in
both rural and urban areas across the world as opined by (Wang et al., 2011).
Scavenging, a source of waste and
resources recovering and reduction of waste poses health hazards to the
scavengers. Improper handling and disposal of industrial solid wastes like
broken glasses and health care institution wastes make scavengers to be prone
to accidents, hepatitis, tetanus, infections (HIV/AIDs) Human immune deficiency
syndrome.
The
accumulation of solid wastes and their management methodology help to degrade
the environment, creating serious environmental pollution in the air, water and
land (Unuraye, 2011:215). Some wastes are toxic, non-biodegradable such as pure
water sachet and polythene shopping bags, industrial and chemical wastes can
contaminate soil and ground water sources and decrease productivity as opened
by (Salin, 2013).
The problems associated with the
management of solid waste in Enugu metropolis is not a problem of absence of
legislations, but it lies in the lack of political will to fund and enforce the
waste management laws and prosecute the offenders or defaulters. Absence of effective
monitoring or central mechanism, inadequate modern equipments, negative
attitudes of the people and even the agency/agents all pose challenges to waste
management.
The failure of
numerous efforts of the Enugu State waste management authority and other groups
concerned to address the problem of waste management lie in the issues
mentioned above.
Despite large
investment that has gone into meeting the challenges of effective waste
management in Nigeria and Enugu state in particular, only very little impact
has been made. (Izugbara and Umoh, 2004).
For good waste disposal methods to be
adopted, government must accept its responsibilities by promulgating
appropriate laws on environmental protection such as solid waste management, adequate
for running the cost of waste management, strengthen the agencies like ESWAMA,
environmental health officers who are charged with responsibilities of sanitizing
the environment.
1.3 AIM AND
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.3.1 Aim of the Study
The aim of the
study was to assess the cause of indiscriminate solid waste dumping and
disposal/insanitary solid waste management in Enugu metropolis.
1.3.2 Objectives of the Study
The specific
objectives of the study are as follows:
1.
To determine
the factors that militate against proper waste management in the study area.
2.
To
ascertain the knowledge of the
inhabitants of the metropolis on preferred methods of waste disposal.
3.
To determine
the public health hazards associated with improper wastes disposal in the study
area
4.
To access the
duties of the ESWAMA in the study area.
5.
To find out
the contributions of government on waste disposal management programmes in the
study area.
1.4 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1.
What are the
factors responsible for improper waste disposal in the metropolis?
2.
Do people in
the study areas understand the proper
waste disposal management?
3.
What are the
public health hazards imposed by improper waste disposal?
4.
What are the
duties of ESWAMA in the study area?
5.
Do government
encourage waste disposal agencies adequately?
1.5 RESEARCH
HYPOTHESES
Null
hypotheses were formulated to guide the researcher as follow:
(1)
Ignorance and
lack of proper waste disposal education were responsible for improper waste
disposal in the study area
(2)
People in the
study areas do not dispose their wastes adequately to the site and by bagging.
(3)
Residents do
not understand the public health
implication of insanitary waste disposal and hazards associated with that.
(4)
Waste disposal
agents do not appropriately guide residents at the dumping site and also
prosecute defaulters.
(5)
Government is
not always encouraging the ESWAMA in discharging their duties adequately.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
Solid waste management has become a
serious environmental problem facing the country at large and Enugu state in particular.
Insanitary solid waste disposal has grave consequences on the pollution of
water sources, air and land not mentioning its hazards to people’s health ad
their social well being.
Enugu urban
areas, heaps of wastes constrict roads to single lane, resulting in perennial
traffic jams as well as the production of offensive odors, diseases such as
typhoid, dysentery, cholera, malaria to mention but a few. These and other health hazard and
environmental degradations made the researcher to look deep into the menace.
By generating
and documenting data on the problems associated with improper solid waste
management in Enugu Metropolis, the planners, policy makers, administrators,
waste management agencies, students, all stakeholders will benefit from the
research work.
The research
work will provide data for sustainable solid waste management in Enugu urban.
This research
will help to improve private ad public participation in waste management in
other to achieve a better environmental quality.
The
suggestions by the researcher if taken will reduce all the health hazards and
diseases associated with improper waste disposal.
In addition,
findings from the study will act as a base for other future researchers and
also to be used as a reference point.
Finally, the
recommendations of this work will help to change the negative attitude of
people towards waste disposal, management authority and its agents.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Health:
Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO).
Industry: An
industry is the sum total of the machinery, equipment, the raw materials,
effluents, lighting, noise emanating from the machinery and the working
environment like air pollution, vibration etc.
Hazard:
Any state of unsafe condition to both property and equipment or personnels.
Unsafe
Act: This is that act which could
lead to a situation yielding bad results such as throwing hammer, instead of
giving it to a colleague.
Industrial
Disease: A disease contracted by
reasons of occupational exposure to an industrial agents known to be hazardous
such as fumes, chemicals etc.
Environment:
This is our immediate surround that is made up of physical, biological and
social environment which are interdependent in existence
Wastes:
These are useless or discarded materials or objects that arise from the
residential areas, industries, and agriculture and livestock activities
Hazard:
It is these substances that are dangerous to health of individuals.
Nuisance:
This is any act, omission, place or thing that is or may be dangerous to man
and his environment.
Solid
Waste: This is an unwanted material
generated in production or consumption processes which are solid in nature or
form.
Solid
Waste Management: This is the systematic administration of activities
which provide for the collection, transportation and processing of waste (West
African Health Board, 1991:31).
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