CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background

Waste Management is a local and global concern. In reality, it is natural for waste to be generated. This does not pose any problem but the deficient capacity of individuals and government to strategically and sustainable manage these waste within the environment in which they are generated becomes an issue.

Solid wastes are referred to as waste which are neither liquid nor gaseous , generated through various daily human activities and are ultimately regarded as not useful. Solid waste could therefore be garbage, refuse, or sludge which are residues of liquid effluent.  (Leton and Omotosho, 2004). It could also include refuse from households, non-hazardous solid waste from industrial and commercial establishments, refuse from institutions market waste, yard waste, and street sweepings (Alabi, 2004). Broadly, Household wastes otherwise known as residential or domestic wastes are made up of wastes that are consequences of household activities. These according to [6] include food preparation, sweeping, cleaning, fuel burning and gardening wastes old clothing, old furnishings retired appliances, packaging and reading materials. The problem of solid waste management is about the second largest issue after water quality in developing countries; (Senkoro, 2003). This is due to poverty, population explosion and high urbanization rate.

The immensely increasing waste generation has been witnessed by heaps of municipal solid waste (MSW) which has appeared indiscriminately all over the cities. These has therefore being  linked to prominent factors such as increasing population that has been aggravated by rapid urbanization and industrialization, basically resulting  into a significant  increase in the volume of wastes generated and consequently, its management.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a multidimensional challenge faced by urban authorities in developing countries like Nigeria. Waste generation, collection and disposal is an innate or core part of any industrial or developing society.

Domestic waste management, collection and disposal have on its own global problem amongst other type of waste. According to studies, it was noted that for years, the major problem in Israel was the accumulation of tens of thousands of tons of organic wastes. This was also the case in the U.S until the 1970's when Federal Agencies had little authority to regulate hazardous and solid disposal by often taking in an unsafe manner at landfills or in inclined lagoons, with some wastes simply dumped on the ground or in surface waters. (references)

Domestic waste form about half of the solid wastes generated, that is, by weight in the third world cities (Adewole, 2009). Over the last ten years, both domestic and commercial sources of wastes have grown notably in Nigeria. For every shopping made per household, there is always a marginal addition of waste volume to the existing stockpile of waste at a given time. This shows the relativity of waste generation to the population of the society.  It is therefore practicable to quote figures which depict that waste generation accrues to millions of tons. In the last 15 years, the rate of urbanization and migration has doubled in Nigeria (Jimoh,  2005). Current estimates in Nigeria reveals an annual solid waste generation of 25 million tones with an urban growth exceeding 6.5% per annum (Olukanni et al, 2013). The generation rate of municipal solid wastes in Ota metropolis, Ogun State, for instance , have increased at a disturbing rate over the years with lack of efficient and modern technology for the management of the wastes. This undeterring progressive rate at the long run, contributes to huge solid and liquid waste generation. It has also been noted that domestic waste disposal management has received considerable attention in Nigeria in general. Despite this commendable attention, collection, disposal processing, and treatment have solution which are seen to be abortive. This problem which  is prevalent in the country is not peculiar to the third world alone but cuts across the industrialized countries of the world where the pollutant effect of domestic and industrial wastes have caused considerable concern to environmental scientists. Our problems emanate from solid waste essentially. There are wastes from discarded materials generated from domestic and community activities or from industrial, commercial and   agricultural operations.

Unlike other forms of waste, Solid wastes are very difficult to handle due to their space-occupying properties.  The management of solid waste has posed a serious challenge to the evolvement  of many developing nations across the globe.

Other  factors  such as socio economy, education status, commercial activities embarked upon  have equally added, in no small measures,  to the  rate and quantity at which solid waste is generated by the citizens.  (Agunwamba, 1998; 2003; Babayemi and Dauda, 2009; Olukanni and Akinyinka, 2012).

Nigerian cities which is among the rapidly urbanizing cities in the world is also encountering solid waste generation and collection problem. (Onibokun and Kumuyi, 1996).

These disparities in growth versus waste generation pose a significant problem when a rapidly growing country cannot effectively and efficiently manage its waste. Nigerian cities generate solid waste at an alarming rate that, in most cases, the volume of waste generated is often more than what the city system could absorb (Ademiluyi and Solanke, 2004). In most of these cities, waste management issues have become an obvious issue and challenge. (Olanrewaju & Ilemobade, 2009).

It is worthy to then note  that a dirty environment affects the standard of living, aesthetic values, health of the people and hence the quality of lives of the people ( Mowoe K.M, 1990).  The implication of indiscriminate waste disposal and dumping is of hazardous effect, manifesting in form of soil, water and air pollution.

Of the different categories of wastes being generated, solid wastes had posed a multi faceted social problem which is out-weighing the carrying capacity of various solid waste management systems in Nigeria (Geoffrey, 2005). The situations in the streets are characterized by continual presence of solid waste from commercial and domestic activities.

Various researchers have undertaken to study solid waste generation, collection and disposal  pattern in Nigeria, but most of the studies are usually a case study of a particular state or locality in Nigeria; and it seems the awareness about solid waste generation in several other cities are obscured.

Despite the present concern of individual and the government about waste management in Nigeria, most states in the southwestern part of the country are still faced with serious domestic waste management problem. From observation many waste generated from cooking and human activities were found disposed in undesignated places like gutters and on the streets and even when it is been packed and taken to the dumping site by the waste managers, it is not properly managed. They were left in pile for weeks and later set on fire which in turns generates toxic gases that could be dangerous to the inhabitants of the locality and to the environment itself.

Within the scope of this review, emphasis would be directed at municipal solid waste management, issues and challenges in the south west Nigeria. The South West is definitely no exception to this glaring waste challenges. This region has six states which includes:  Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. It is predominantly a Yoruba speaking region with diverse dialects even within the same state.

Practices and procedures of domestic waste management carried out in all of the six states in the southwest will be critically examined. Problems encountered in all of the states, in the course of management of the waste will also be discussed. Efforts made by each state Government so far to curb the menace imposed by waste management still needs to be intensified.

The Management of household waste is a function of the socio cultural practices and the perception of the immediate community which is usually heterogeneous.  Benneh et al. observed that majority of solid waste stream generated in urban areas are usually dominated by domestic residential waste.  These wastes are discovered to be characterized by 70% to 90% of organic component with high density and high moisture content, and about 5% to 10% of tins, cans and paper of the total waste stream.

Education has a significant role to play in waste management; therefore it needs to be priotized in achieving a sustainable waste management strategy. Some of the educational learned response sets and concerns include cultural derivatives, beliefs, perception and attitudes which can be restructured through education. ( Agboola ,1993).

Formal education for woman is pre-requisite for change in sanitation behavior, Pacey,1990.  Abankwa (yr) found that households of high income and single dwelling units generate an average dry refuse of three kilograms per day, while the low income and compound dwelling units generate about five kilograms. Of the five kilograms of refuse in low income units, garbage constitute four point two five (4.25) kilograms and rubbish constitutes zero point five (0.5) kilograms. The waste in variably consist of item like vegetables and tuber remains. This high generation of waste tells us how source reduction as a waste management method is important.

The common constraints faced by Environmental Agencies include lack of institutional arrangement, insufficient financial resources, absence of bylaws and standards, inflexible work schedules, insufficient information on quantity and composition of waste, and inappropriate technology. The study suggested integration of institutional, political, social, financial, economic and technical aspects of municipal solid waste management in order to achieve sustainable and effective solid waste management in Nigeria. (references)

In Nigeria, the menace of solid waste is causing more concern mainly because of the technical, financial, institutional, economic and social constraints that are associated with its management. The Nigerian environment and the intensive degradation and pollution it has been subjected to, by human activities and negligence, demand urgent and effective management (Franca, 2002).

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Waste management process in the society is the root development; no country or society can develop in isolation of proper waste management, whereas, there is indiscriminate disposal and dumping of waste in south west State. Now how would this bad attitude could be controlled in the society.

Since proper waste management is credible to create a change and impact on the environment and peoples’ health how would people cooperate with the effort of the Ogun state as an agency and what could be peoples’ reaction over their job.

Ogun state as an agency has been empowered by the government to check the illegal dumping of waste at roadsides, enclosures, streams in neighbourhoods and drains. How would government motivate them to carryout their job/responsibilities with dedicated effort and without much stress, in order to promote healthcare and environmental development in the society.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study includes:

1        To discover the ability of the on Ogun state  as an agency to control and manage waste disposal in the society.

2        To find out the effect of domestic waste disposal in the environment and peoples’ health.

3        To find out the effect of waste management process by Ogun state.

4        To discover the solution to domestic waste disposal in the society.

5        To find out how government help to motivate Ogun state in order to carryout their job objectively.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1        Does Ogun state help to control and manage waste disposal in the society?

2        Does improper waste disposal create any effect on the people’s health and environment?

3        Does Waste Management process or activities has any impact in peoples health and environment?

4        Does waste disposal in the environment/society has any solution?

5        Does government in any way help to motivate Ogun state in order to carryout their job objectively?

1.5     HYPOTHESIS

H1     Ogun state help to control and manage waste disposal in the society.

Ho      Ogun state does not help to control and manage waste disposal in the society.

H2     Improper waste disposal creates effect on the peoples’ health and environment.

Ho      Improper waste disposal does not create effect on the peoples’ health and environment.

H3     Waste management activities by the Ogun state has a great impact to peoples’ health and environment.

Ho      Waste management activities by the Ogun state has no impact to peoples’ health and environment.

H4     Waste disposal in the environment has a solution/remedy.

Ho      Waste disposal in the environment does not have solution/remedy.

H5     Government helps to motivate Ogun state in order to carryout their job objectively.

Ho      Government does not motivate Ogun state in order to carry out their job objectively.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is on domestic waste disposal effect and the solutionsis restricted to Ogun state Enugu State.

1.7     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Waste management by the Ogun state has been credited with the ability to control and manage domestic waste disposal in the society.

As the topic of the study implies “ effect of Domestic Waste management in selected west states in Nigeria, issues and challenges in Ogun state”. Therefore, this study intend to find out the effect of domestic waste disposal and how waste management is being carried out by the ESWAMA through their activities (sanitation).

The result of researches will enable the society to know the impact of sanitation and embark on it, for health care. People will get to know the value of ESWAMA in the society.

This study also indicate the role of waste management in people’s health and environment thereby improving health care and environmental sustainable development.

Now that the much emphasis is been placed on the domestic waste disposal, this study/work is most appropriate for it’s aim at finding out how effective people react as a result of waste management in the society.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Domestic waste disposal

It is any substance which constitutes a scrap material, an effluent or unwanted surplus substance arising from the application of any process.

Effect A change produced by an action or a cause; a result or an outcome.

Solution

A way of solving a problem, dealing with a difficult situation.

Operational Definition

Domestic waste disposal

This is any material lacking directive value to people of Ngwo Town (Ngwo metropolis) and so must be disposed of.

Effect

A change produce through domestic waste disposal from Ngwo town metropolis.

Solution

A way of solving, controlling and managing domestic waste disposal of Ngwo town metropolis.

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