CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The aggregate of health impact of poor waste management in developing countries remains a major issue of public health concern that demands urgent intervention by both governmental and non-governmental agencies with focus on health education designed at reducing environmental menace associated with waste management practices (Oghenekohwo and Akporehwe, 2015).A report by the National Orientation Agency (2011) indicates that Nigerian cities and towns are fast becoming what could be termed as “modern ghettos” because of the existence of heaps of refuse littering the streets. Cities and towns like Ibadan, Ijebu, Ota, Benin-City, Asaba, Lagos, Onitsha, Yenagoa and even in some parts of the Nation’s Federal Capital, Abuja is no exception. Waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental protection agencies in Nigeria. The volume of solid waste generated continues to increase at a faster rate than the ability of the agencies to improve on the financial and technical resources needed to parallel its’ management in Nigeria cities as characterized by inefficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of the collection points and system and improper disposal of waste irrespective of the types (Agunwamb, Egbuniwe, and Ogwueleka, 2003).

Most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, have solid waste management problems that are different from those found in industrialized countries in terms of composition, density, political will and economic framework aimed at financing its management. Besides, the wastes are heavier, wetter and more corrosive in developing cities than developed cities (Aigbokhavbo 2000; Akinwale, 2005). As at present, most urban communities are grappling with the forces of climate change that have engendered heavy rain falls, massive erosion, flooding among other environmental damaging consequences. It is also evident that communities are greatly overwhelmed by the attendant effects of health related issues as a result of the pollutions brought about by various waste materials that are poorly channeled and situated in communities. All these compromise the variants of community development, which Cary (1970), hypothesized in different context with environmental related issues. Accordingly, community development is always a process and will remain a process which in the view of Cary (1970), is about developing the power, skills, knowledge and experience of people as individuals and in groups, thus, enabling them to undertake initiatives of their own to combat social, economic, political and “environmental problems”, thereby enabling them to fully participate in a truly democratic process. In this context, the writer specified environmental problems, part of which is waste management. Therefore, a holistic community development process must take a lead in countering the destruction of the natural environment on which all depend.

Meanwhile, it has been underscored by Oghenekohwo (2012) that community development seeks to enable individuals and communities to grow and change according to their own needs and priorities, and at their own pace, provided this does not oppress other groups and communities, or damages the environment. Thus, the process of community development is associated with ensuring healthy environment that is devoid of pollution; (air; water, earth etc.), but enhances community health practices as a major concern in waste management. Therefore, it is within the expectation of promoting community health that the variants of waste management draws on community development in practice.

1.2            STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The campaign against environmental decay is therefore seen as a collective responsibility of both the public and private sector. Against this backdrop, the various stakeholders needed to be more informed about the need for proper environmental care. This campaign becomes eminent as the morbidity and mortality that results from such indiscriminate waste management practices continues to hunt the people against the backdrop of development. (National Orientation Agency, 2011). Urban solid waste management incorporates several interrelated aspects, which needs complete cooperation and collaboration of the community for efficient delivery. It comprises aspects of waste generation, waste composition, collection, recycling (if any), pretreatment and treatment, and finally disposal (Periathamby, 2011). These management aspects thus require input from legal, economic, governmental, political, administrative, and environmental actors. Thus, it requires the involvement of multi-professional drivers such as community change agents among others.

1.3     RESEARCH QUESTION

The pertinent questions to this research work are:

1.     How has the residents in high court area been disposing their refuse?

2.     Is the method of refuse disposal the best way to dispose waste?

3.     Has the local government looked into the management of Kurata dumpsite?

4.     What is the health implication of Kurata dumpsite on the residents in this environment?

1.4       AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

The aim of this studies is to critically study about the management of Kurata public dump sites and its effect on the residents in the environment. The objectives are:

1.     To examine how the residents in high court area have been disposing their refuse.

2.     To ascertain if the method of refuse disposal used by the residents is the best way to dispose waste.

3.     To ascertain if the local government has looked into the management of Kurata dumpsite.

4.     To study the health implication of Kurata dumpsite on the residents in this environment.

1.5     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The dumpsite at Kurata, off High court road, Ota does not have any health implication on the residents of its environs.