ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (1-3), Month: April - June 2022, Available at: www.paperpublications.org
Evaluation of Health Effects of Poor Waste
Management System in the Lives of the
Residents of Enugu Metropolis
Nnaji, Gabriel Onyebuchi.
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, UNIZIK Awka, Anambra State Nigeria.
Abstract: The generation of waste is inevitable and the collection, processing, transporting, and disposal of wastes
and the process of waste management are important for public health and safety and the aesthetics of the
environment. However, waste management in Enugu metropolis has become rapidly disturbing and retrogressive
as residents often dump refuse indiscriminately, thereby exposing others to dangerous health hazards due to the
menace resulting from poor management of wastes. This study was conducted using area sampling and random
sampling method for the proposed study area Enugu North Local Government Area. Structured questionnaires
and interviews were issued to respondents and the data used was obtained from both primary and secondary
sources. From a population of 244,852 people, a sample size of 204 was obtained using the Yaro Yamina, formulae
and simple percentage evaluations. 80.3% of the respondents expressed utter dissatisfaction with the waste
management authority, 74.0% believes more work needs to be done by the government to effectively achieve waste
control, 79.9% still expressed their concern over open garbage dump sites in the metropolis while 21.6% admits
they dispose refuse into floods when it rains. All 100% believes strongly that poor waste management poses
harmful effects to the health of the residents with 100% expressing concern over malaria cases, 57.8% to
cholera/dysentery, 45.1% concurred to onchocerciacis, 45.5% agreed to respiratory disorders while 52.9% believes
that skin infections could also be suffered as a result of poor waste management.
Keywords: Environment, garbage, sanitation, population, hazard, safety, sampling, waste, refuse.
1. INTRODUCTION
Waste can be defined as any substance produced in our daily activities which are unwanted and no longer useful to man
(Federal Ministry of Housing and Environment Nigeria Monograph series No. 2). These unwanted substances must be
handled and disposed of with care, so that they do not constitute nuisance or danger to public health. Waste however,
could be said to be relative, especially in the manufacturing sector, this is because what is regarded as waste to a certain
group of people, may be regarded as raw materials to another group. The system of waste salvaging, reclaiming or
recycling though objectionable and often economically unsound is fast growing and gaining ground in most industrialized
cities today (Bisong and Ajake, 2001).
Waste can also be classified according to their origin and source, chemical composition, appearance, texture or location.
Conventionally however, waste can be grouped into two major categories namely; solid and liquid wastes (Osinem,
2005). For the purpose of this study, we regard solid wastes as useless, unwanted or discarded materials that arises from
man’s activities which are not free flowing to nature. Environmental sanitation is perhaps the most obvious element in
environmental management but is certainly not the most important. Its significance lies in its effectiveness in raising the
level of consciousness to the importance of creating and maintaining an environment that is healthy and hygienic for the
needs and standards of the people (Balogun, 2001).
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Paper Publications
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (1-3), Month: April - June 2022, Available at: www.paperpublications.org
2. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Sampling:
The researcher used both primary and secondary sources of data, however, reliance was placed more on the primary
sources because of its relative factual nature.
Primary sources:
This source of data consists of questionnaires, and direct interviews, and these were designed such that the opinion of
respondents who are also residents could be captured and collected in this project.
Secondary sources:
The researcher in the course of this study used secondary sources of data such as journals, newspapers, magazines,
internet, lesson notes and textbooks.
Sampling procedure:
The researcher used two sampling methods namely; area sampling method and random sampling method. This is because
of the vast populace of residents living in Enugu metropolis. However through the use of random sampling method the
researcher chose Enugu North L.G.A. to represent the whole of Enugu metropolis.
Instrument for data collection;
Questionnaires were my main instrument for data collection. The consent of my respondents was sought before the
issuance of the questionnaires to them. I also explained to them the purpose of the study, the content and requirements of
the issued questionnaires.
Data analysis and presentation;
Data was analyzed both manually and electronically and presented in the form of tables and charts and 95% confidence
limit were applied in all statistical tests. The researcher also used simple percentage representations for result tables.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1. Total Questionnaires Distributed in Enugu Metropolis.
S/No Total number issued 204 questionnaires
1. Total number used 204
2. Total number returned 204
3. Response rate 100%
Table 2. Questionnaire on waste disposal practices in Enugu metropolis.
Variables YES NO (%) YES/NO.
Waste management effectively achieved 30 174 15.0/74.0
Are the authorities solely responsible for it 42 162 11.0/89.0
Are you satisfied with the situation so far? 41 163 20.0/80.0
Are garbage containers enough? 25 179 12.3/87.7
More garbage containers needed? 179 25 87.7/12.3
Existence of open dump sites 32 172 15.7/79.9
Poor facility reason for poor waste mgt. 187 17 91.7/8.3
Poor road network 32 172 15.7/84.3
Negligence of residents 196 8 96.1/3.9
Poor performance of the mgt. authority 174 30 85.3/14.7
Some areas not covered by the authority 152 52 74.5/21.1
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Paper Publications
ISSN 2349-7823
International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)
Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (1-3), Month: April - June 2022, Available at: www.paperpublications.org
Table 2 indicates that majority (150%) of the residents actually believes more effort needs to be put to achieve an
effective waste management system, 182% believes it’s everyone’s responsibility, however 80% of the residents are not
exactly satisfied with the performance of the waste management authority because of the existence of open garbage dump
sites as 79.9% expressed, and insufficient garbage containers and spill overs are still experienced by 87.7%. On the other
hand, to contribute more to the problem of waste management only 46.6% comply with waste evacuation services offered
by the waste agency, while 18.6% incinerate their waste, 13.2% use land fill sites, while 21.6% block gutters and drainage
systems with their indiscriminate waste, especially when it rains.
4. CONCLUSION
We can see from the logical analysis, test of data sequentially presented, that poor waste management not only
deteriorates the aesthetics of the environment but also adversely affects the lives and health of Enugu residents, the waste
management authority should be supported by the residents themselves since they equally play a key role in waste
disposal and management as seen from the study. This means that the attitude of the people towards waste management
will play an important role towards achieving a better and healthier environment for everyone. More so awareness should
be created by the government through the mass media on the benefits of good environmental hygiene and the hazards
associated with poor waste management practices. Having in mind that a "healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation", the lesser
the Waste, the Healthier the Residents.
REFERENCES
[1] Agu (1999). Indiscriminate waste pollution in Enugu and the environment.
[2] Agunwamba J.C, Egbuninew N., Ogwueleka J.C. (2003). Least cost management of solid waste collection-
Journal of solid waste technology and management vol.29.
[3] Balogun O. (2001). The federal capital territory of Nigeria- geography of its development, University press
publishing house, Ibadan.
[4] Bison E.F and Ajake (2001). Solid waste management for sustainable rural development in Bisong, Natural
resources use and conservation for sustainable rural development, Lagos; BAAS International Company.
[5] Eze D.M. (2001). Workshop on the ill health effects of poor waste management towards an improved environmental
sanitation in Enugu metropolis.
[6] Federal ministry of housing and environment (1983). The state of environment in Nigeria, Monograph s-N: 2
[7] Osinem (2005). Environmental education in agriculture; Cheston agency limited Enugu.
[8] Yamina Yaro (1973). Statistics; An introduction analysis, third edition. New York harper and row publisher Inc.
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