AN INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SELECTED RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF AKURE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research is a comparison of solid waste management in selected residential areas of Akure. n intra-urban approach to the analysis of urban residential areas solid waste management was adopted as distinct from several previous studies that focused on the city as a homogenous entity. Apart from the issues common to solid waste management, this study identified the lack of purpose - allocated and purpose - designed spaces and enclosures in residential layouts and sites as issues that requires research focus. Three residential neighbourhoods namely: Ijapo-Estate, Isolo and Obanla were selected, using the stratified sampling technique, to represent the planned, quasi-planned and unplanned residential areas of Akure respectively. The study further utilised the stratified sampling technique to select the houses surveyed. In the process, 50, 75 and 100 houses were surveyed in Ijapo Estate, Isolo and Obanla areas of Akure respectively. Findings reveal that the major solid waste components are: food waste, fruit peels and leaves, paper, plastics, animal dung, tin cans and glass. Areas of similarities in waste deposit and collection among the residential areas are that: plastic containers is the most utilised for waste holding, Ondo State Waste Management Authority [OSWMA] is the dominant agent responsible for waste evacuation, and weekly refuse collection is the prevalent frequency in all the three residential areas. The absence of purpose designed spaces or enclosures for waste storage were also a feature common to all the three residential areas. The supply of standard waste bins to all the residential areas by OSWMA is largely inadequate. Nonetheless, Ijapo-Estate and Obanla enjoy a relatively better supply of waste holding bins than Isolo. Areas of dissimilarity include the disparities in the waste evacuation services by OSWMA. Ijapo-Estate and Obanla receives better waste evacuation services by OSWMA while Isolo suffers the largest neglect. The motive for waste sorting is similar in Isolo and Obanla but differs for Ijapo Estate residents. However, the attitudinal postures of residents of Isolo and Obanla towards waste holding and are quite similar and distinct from those of Ijapo Estate. This is because residents’ educational and enlightenment levels are higher at Ijapo than Isolo and Obanla. Solid waste induced environmental problems are most pronounced at Isolo and least felt at Ijapo Estate. Intra-urban similarities and dissimilarities therefore exist between the residential areas. The study concludes with some recommendations that would go a long way in facilitating effective solid waste management in the residential areas of Akure.