CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-FORMAL WASTE DISPOSAL (PROJECT-CHAPTER ONE)

CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-FORMAL WASTE DISPOSAL (PROJECT-CHAPTER ONE)

INTRODUTION

1.1 Background of the study

Waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental protection agencies in Nigeria. The volume of waste generated is higher than the rate at which the evacuation agencies evaluate waste from the dumpsite. (Ogwveleka, 2010)

A report by National Orientation Agency (2011) indicates that Nigerian cities and towns are fast becoming what could be termed as “Modern ghetto” because of existence of heaps of refuge littering the streets, cities and towns like Benin city, Asaba, Lagos, Onitsha, Yenagoa, Pot-Harcourt, Warri, Kano and even in some part of the nation’s capital – Abuja.

The3 total impact of poorly managed waste has remained a major issue of public health practitioners and environmental expert. Angaye (2016) reports that poorly managed waste can cause major air pollution, affect the climate change by increasing the emission of Green house safes into the atmosphere as well as causing illness to human beings around the area.

The problem of solid waste disposal is one of the most serious environmental problems facing many cities in Nigeria. Waste management plays an integral role in human activities. Various ways of managing solid waste include disposal by burying, burning, reducing, recycling and energy generation. Solid waste management differs in developing countries like Ghana, Nigeria etc. and industrialized countries of the world like USA, Germany France, England, Spain, China etc.

Twkocha (2016) reports that there was a significant increase in the incidence and rate of hospitalization among children living in proximity to the waste dump site. The finding suggests that surroundings with solid waste in drains dad contributed to malaria prevalence among residence. The proximity of municipal wastes dumpsites to residential neighbor hoods and rate of hospitalization for malaria, revealed a significant increase in the incident of malaria and rate of hospitalization among residence.

Angaye (2013) defined waste as a substance and materials which are disposed of or required to be disposed of according to provision of material which are disposed of or required to be disposed of according to provision of national laws. Also, environment dictionary (year) defined waste as that which is not or cannot be used, on longer of use.

Consequently, if these waste materials were not well managed, they pose a serious health challenge. In Nigeria, solid waste management is constitutionally a government function. Waste management, as regards domestic, industrial and commercial wastes; traditionally consist of collection and disposal methods, depending on the type of waste the area and the level of processing required. (Adckoke, 2010)

However, waste often grouped into three main categories, solid, liquid and gaseous waste. Also, waste vary in size, form, origin and physical composition, unwanted or discarded materials with insufficient liquid content to be free flowing (isirimah, 2002).

Waste management is a serious issue because it concerns stake holders, most importantly, a problem in urban and rural area of the united states as well as other countries of the world. Many areas particularly in the developing countries, still exposed to inadequate waste management, poorly controlled open dumps and illegal road side dumping remains a problem. Daniel (2015) reports non-formal leads to polluted soils, water resources and semi resources. The problem associated with non-formal disposal of waste is simply a social problem as much as a physical one, of which many people apparently are simply disposing their waste without any knowledge of the aftermath effect.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

World population growth, population movements as well as the distributional pattern have tremendous pressures on cities in terms of solid waste generation. (Angaye 2013). Rapid increase in population, uncoordinated growth of development and expansion of commercial activities have impact on socio-economic and environmental set up of the city. Cities have plaque with virtually unmanaged rate of refuse generation and disposal.

Dan (2014) reports that waste deposited at the recommended dumpsite are easily evaluated, built that most of the heaps seen on the roadsides are non-formal dumpsites.

It is against their background that this study sought to examine the challenges in the management of non-formal waste disposal sites in Yenagoa metropolis.

1.3 Aims and objectives of the study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the challenges in the management of non-formal waste disposal sites in Yenagoa metropolis specifically, this study sought the following

1. To asses the type and quantity of wastes in the selected sites.

2. To evaluate the health implication of waste to humans around the sites.

3. To identify the proximity of non-formal waste dumpsites to residential building.

4. To evaluate the duration of wastes dumped before evacuation.

5. To recommend the standard ways of managing the challenges of improper non-formal waste dumpsites in Yenagoa metropolis.

1.4 Research Question

The research questions selected to systematically investigate the purpose of this study are;

1. What types of waste do we commonly see at the dumpsites?

2. What are the likely health related issues?

3. How close are the non-formal dumpsites to residential building?

4. How long does the waste stay at the non-formal dumpsites before they are evacuated?

5. What are the best practices to be adopted for the proper management of non-formal dumpsites?

1.5 Scope and limitation of the study

The research work will cover Yenagoa metropolis which is the capital of Bayelsa state.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study will help the state Environmental and Sanitation Authority to curb the challenges emanating from the dumping of waste at the non-formal dumpsite. It will equip other researchers to know the kind of waste generated in Yenagoa metropolis. It will aid non-governmental agencies that are into environmental management on how to educate the masses on the best waste disposal strategy.

1.7 Definition of operation terms

1. Waste: Refers to unavoidable material resulting from domestic, industrial and other commercial activities.

2. Non-formal disposal site: This refers to unauthorized location where wastes are dumped.

3. Challenges: This refers to the problems associated with something in a particular period of time.

4. Waste management: This is the collection, transportation, storage, processing, recycling and disposal of waste material.