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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 4

Publication Date: April 25, 2021

DOI:10.14738/assrj.84.9929. Okosun, S. E., Omodehin, A. O., & Ajayi, I. S. (2021). Environmental Management in cities: A Perspective from the Akure Solid

Waste Management Authority, Ondo State, Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(4). 06-18.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Environmental Management in cities: A Perspective from the

Akure Solid Waste Management Authority, Ondo State, Nigeria

Okosun, S.E

Department of Geography, Faculty of social sciences

Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria

Omodehin, A.O

Department of Urban & Regional Planning

Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Ajayi, I. S

Department of Urban & Regional Planning

Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Management of wastes which is a part of the daily activities of man is an important

aspect of environmental management. Over the years, there have been concerted

efforts made towards adequately solving the problems created by improper waste

management and disposal in Nigeria cities. This study, appraises environmental

management in cities; a perspective from the Ondo state Waste Management

Authority (OSWMA) Akure. The broad objectives of this study are to identify types of

wastes managed by OSWMA, describe the attitude and role of residents (household)

toward solid waste management, and examine the possible constraints faced by

OSWMA, Akure in the discharge of their duties. Samples were drawn from the total

number of OSWMA staff and clients served by the authority in the core, transition and

peripheral districts of Akure. 53 questionnaires were administered to the staff

representing 10% of the total number of staff while 324 questionnaires representing

1% of residents were administered, collated and analyzed using SPSS version 19. The

results of the analysis, revealed that majority (81.1%) of the staff respondents opined

that the type of waste managed by the Authority is solid waste; using the door to door

method of solid waste collection as submitted by 54.5% of the staff. On the other

hand, majority of the households’ respondents (81.4%) expressed willingness to pay

for service rendered by the authority. Findings also revealed that poor funding was

the main constraints faced by the authority. The study therefore recommends proper

funding, provision of equipment and facilities needed for smooth running of the

authority in order to ensure effective collection and management of waste in the

study area.

Keywords: Solid waste management, environmental sustainability, Cities, OSWMA, Akure

INTRODUCTION

Municipal Waste Management (MSWM) is an important aspect of environmental management in

the ever increasing population in cities; this is owing to the fact that, man, the principal manager

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Okosun, S. E., Omodehin, A. O., & Ajayi, I. S. (2021). Environmental Management in cities: A Perspective from the Akure Solid Waste Management

Authority, Ondo State, Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(4). 06-18.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.84.9929

of the city generates wastes on a daily basis. The generation of waste dates back to the existence

of man and increases with increase in population as well as increase in the activities of man.

Waste generation in human societies is a normal act of life and it can be linked to economic

activities in markets, restaurants, motor parks, homes, schools, offices, etc. all of which occur at

a higher rate in cities because of the population which will bring about increased activities.

Wastes appear in different forms as solid waste, liquid waste, organic waste, recyclable waste, or

hazardous waste. Zurbrugg (2003) defines solid waste as any material, which is not in liquid

form, and has no value to the person who is responsible for it. Babatola (2008) described solid

wastes as any material lacking direct value to the user and so must be disposed of. They are

unwanted or discarded products that are solid arising from human and animal activities; which

could be municipal solid wastes, i.e. household and domestic; Industrial solid wastes or

Agricultural solid wastes (Omodehin, 2018), examples of municipal solid wastes includes

product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers,

appliances, paint, and batteries (USEPA, 2016) all of which may be generated in the home, schools

or offices.

Agunwamba, (1998 & 2003); Babayemi and Dauda, (2009) all observed that one of the impacts

of rapidly growing urbanization and economic development in emerging cities is witnessed in

the form of heaps of municipal solid waste at inappropriate locations; which could lead to several

environmental problems. These problems include: air pollution, especially offensive odours

when it rains and when the wastes are burnt uncontrollably; water pollution through runoffs

into streams and rivers or direct dumping of refuse into water bodies and; degradation of the

urban environment. They also constitute health hazards in themselves if they are not timely

disposed as they become breeding places for vermin, worms and insects (Dosunmu & Ajayi,

2002). Safeguard (2001) emphasizes the urgent need for actions to reduce the environmental

impact caused by indiscriminate waste disposal. To achieve this, Beede & Bloom (1995) opines

that waste being a concomitant aspect of living cannot be totally evacuated but can only be

managed.

Solid waste management, as defined by Akinbamijo (2004) includes the collection,

transportation; processing, recycling and/or disposal of solid waste, he further stated that

Governments in sub-Saharan Africa countries have grossly failed to adequately solve the

problems of solid waste management and disposal in the urban areas. Awomeso, et al, (2010),

submits that Solid waste management has gradually become a threat to the living environment

of developing countries as they increasingly move towards industrialization. Management of

solid waste is also a cause for concern in Nigerian cities, as indiscriminate dumping of solid

wastes in drains, on the streets and highways has become the order of the day.

When addressing the problems of solid waste in countries, environmental sustainability becomes

a necessity (Berettta, 2012; Environmental Protection Agency, 1998; Johnson, 2012), to ensure

a healthy and safe environment for future generations. This implies avoiding environmental

degradation, which leads to injustice on future generations. The increasing global concern

demands that waste be properly disposed in the most environmentally friendly and acceptable

way; that is, minimizing and possibly eliminating contact with humans in order to reduce its

potential harm to humans, animal, and natural resources.

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 8, Issue 4, April-2021

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

In a bid to reduce solid waste problems in Nigeria, concerted efforts have been made to solving

the problems created by improper waste management and disposal; such as: the establishment

of different Agencies and waste regulatory bodies who have come up with different waste

management techniques; and the establishment of the monthly environmental sanitation

exercise which is still being observed in some states in the country including Akure. In spite of

this, heaps of refuse still abound in many Nigerian cities, Akure inclusive, posing as serious

threats to the environment. This study is aimed at appraising the citizen’s perception of solid

waste management in Akure with a view to assessing the general performance of the Ondo State

Waste Management Authority (OSWMA); with specific objectives to identify the types of waste

managed by OSWMA; observe describe the resident’s (household) attitude toward solid waste

management; and examine the possible constraints faced by waste management agency in the

discharge of their duties.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Refuse or solid waste as inter changeably used means garbage, and other discharged materials

including solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous materials resulting from various

operations and from various community activities (Avinash et al., 2008). Odochas (1994) defines

it as those materials which are generated as a result of normal operations over which we have

control in terms of their production, disposal or discharge. Gilpin, (1976) describes solid waste

as a material of solid or semi – solid character that is no longer considered of important value to

retain. WHO (2000) describes solid waste as being those useless, unwanted or discarded

materials that arise from man’s activities and are not free flowing. The Federal Ministry of

Environment (2005) reported that SWM remains one of the most daunting environmental

sanitation challenges facing Nigeria today. It has continually remained at its lowest ebb despite

huge investment in the sector (Sha’ato & Ikor, 2003).

Effects of solid waste on the environment

The effect of uncontrolled solid waste in an environmental continent is not limited to human life

but its effect is significantly observed on property value and life span (WHO, 2010). Literature

records that the Federal, State and Local tiers of Governments have roles to play in the process

of environmental quality management (Stuti, 2001). They have to set goals, evolve appropriate

policies, prepare programmes, provide finances, develop strategies and give legal lacking to

mitigate the problems caused by lack of effective solid waste management. Ojo (1980) noted that

the greater the density of human population and its multiplication effects, the more the waste

they will produce, that the effects and consequences of solid wastes in our environment has been

one of the greater concern to the citizen. Acks (1995) reports that environmental contamination

such as solid waste constitutes hazard to human health and can lead to the destruction of natural

(resources reduction of aesthetic, values and pleasures).

Stages in solid waste management

The various stages involved in waste management are:

1) Generation and storage:

The production and storage of waste represents the first points of physical contact and other

routes of exposure between the waste and humans or the environment. The exposure and

potential for adverse human health risks are particular concerns in the case of special or