CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUNG OF THE STUDY

In the sanitation of the environment, disposal of wastes has been identified as being of utmost importance. It is the first problem which must be discussed in any community for the fact that it is basically controlled for enhancement of health of the people in the environment, because the success of any other health measures introduce will depend to a large extent upon the efficiency with which it is solved. The task of maintaining a healthy environment through sanitary disposal of waste has become more difficult in recent times in West Africa and most other developing countries of which Nigeria is one. The reason been that of population explosion, migration of the people from rural to urban areas: the mobility of population as a result of style of life: the increase in outdoor recreation and industrialization.

Health planners; therefore, as those charged with the responsibility of providing health to the people: determine what wastes are: identify the various types of wastes and highlight the relationship between wastes and public health, with a view to working out suitable ways of dealing with these wastes.

However, the waste problem has become inter-government in scope and the local governments still retain their constitutional roles, the state and the federal government have assumed the role of the big brother in waste management the role of Local Government in waste management is imposed both by the federal constitution and the local government (Basic and transitional provision). Act 1989. Indeed waste management has been recognized as an integral part of health and environment services of local government for the state government.

Most states in the federation have by enabling edicts established environmental sanitation authorities, in which. we have Lagos sat waste management Authority (LAWMA) in Lagos, Ibadan solid waste management authority Oyo State etc, whose primary institution are disposal and management of solid waste.

The need for the agencies has arisen from the expanding complexity of the waste and the inability of the rations local government councils to cope with the problem alone.

1.2   PURPOSE OF STUDY

The purpose of this study IS to determine the extent to which the facility used by local government to manage waste needs to be improved upon,' to be able to cope with the mounting bills of refuse that abound in the urban center. The study will also try to determine if the participation of private initiatives will assist the government in improving the general health of the populace.

1.3   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following are the research question, which the study aims to provide answer to.

   i.      How effective IS the use of private initiative in the control of waste disposal?

 ii.      Is there any correlation between waste disposal management and health hazards?

iii.      What is the role of government in waste disposal management? iv. Can any economic value be derived from the salvage of material from waste?

1.4 PRELIMINARY HYPOTHESES

The following hypotheses will be the main focus of the study.

   i.      Ho: The introduction of private initiatives does not contribute to effective waste disposal management

Hi: The introduction of private initiatives will contribute to effective waste disposal management.

  ii.        HO: Ineffective waste disposal management does not contribute to health hazards

HI: Ineffective waste disposal management contributes to health hazards.

iii.        HO: Government involvement is not needed for the effective management of waste disposal.

Hi: Government involvement is .needed for effective waste management control.

iv.        HO: Salvaging for waste materials as a mean of employment is not a worthwhile venture. Hi. Salvaging for waste materials as a means of employment is a worthwhile venture.

1.5   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study will be limited to finding out an appropriate sanitation and cost effective system of waste management in Lagos State and mushin Local government area in particular, which will eradicate the environmental health problems, and to examine the existing methods of waste management and also to select viable ones among them for efficient management of these wastes.

It will also try to identify the environmental health problems associated with ineffective waste management and the effects on the people in the communities under Mushin Local Government and Lagos State at large.

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1.6    HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Surulere Local Government is described as the center of commerce. It is located in the heart of Lagos and has modern amenities like tap water, electricity supply, telephone network, and good road networks it is bounded in the north by Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, in the East by Shomolu Local Government and in the south by mainland Local Government.