IMPACT OF QUARRY ACTIVITIES ON RESIDENTS OF AKURE REGION

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the impact of quarry activities on residents of Akure region for sustainable industrial development with a view of ensuring urban land-use control and management. The objectives of the study are to: map out quarry industrial zones in the study area using GIS, identify the hazards associated with quarry activities on the residents, examine the impact of quarry activities on residents in the study area, appraise the efforts of government to curb occurrence of quarry hazards in the study area. Structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-economic characteristics of the residents, community involvement, health effects and impact of quarry activities on the environment among others. Data analytical methods, qualitative research methods, regression analysis was employed. The study also employed ArcGis software to determine the extent of land area that is affected by pollution as a result of the quarry activities in the study area. The research also made use of Google Earth imagery to buffer and extract buildings that are within 3km radius. Results obtained shows that buildings that fall within 1km buffer zone around the quarry site are mostly affected by air pollution, noise pollution and ground vibration. From the information collected and analyzed, it is evident that the quarrying activities in the area cause both negative environmental and socio-economic effects, as a result of the quarrying process which uses some heavy machinery and leaves behind a lot of debris and quarry dust which cause environmental nuisance. Issues of property damage, vegetation damage, air pollution and noise pollution are some of the bio-physical effects that are evident, and have been a nuisance to the surrounding community. Also, health problems suffered by the residents are those that associate with inhalation of dust in the air. In conclusion, this study has highlighted the impact of quarry activities on the environment and health risks of residents living near quarry hazard zones. It also shows that the major adverse effects of quarry activities in the study area are air and noise pollution produced from the quarry sites as a result of blasting of rocks to extract materials for processing.The study recommended Government intervention to ensure that the laws governing the quarrying and mining industries are observed through enhanced surveillance.Compliance monitoring visits to quarry sites should be undertaken routinely so as to minimize the negative effects of quarrying operations on humans and the environment. Further research on more advanced methods that can reduce the effects of the quarrying activity on the environment should be carried out.