EVALUATION OF THE CHALLENGES OF EFFECTIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

David C. Onuoha, Chinomso Ukah, Samuel Oji Iheukwumere

Abstract


Motivated by the dangers of indiscriminate waste dumping and evident poor waste management in Awka which has continually resulted in obvious negative effects on the environment like: outbreak of diseases, environmental pollution, degradation of aesthetic environment, blocking of drainage and urban flooding, proliferation of slums and devaluing of residential houses, among others; this study was conceived with the aim of evaluating the challenges of effective waste management in Awka with a view to recommending more efficient and effective measures. The study adopted survey research method by using a well-structured questionnaire to sample the opinion of 50 professionals purposively determined from departments, parastatals and agencies saddled with the responsibility of waste management using stratified random sampling. It was found that the major challenges to effective and efficient waste management are: insufficient funding, unavailability/inadequate waste management facilities, poor sorting of waste, unsupportive attitude of government/public towards scavengers, absence/poor implementation of policies, use of crude means of solid waste management, inadequate number of private waste contractors, government’s monopolization in waste management, among others. The study therefore recommends adoption of modern waste management techniques, education and awareness/orientation of the masses, enactment and implementation of relevant laws and policies, engagement of private waste management firms and adoption of well-trained personnel for waste management as ways of making waste management more effective in the study area.

Keywords: Challenges, Environmental Pollution, Modern Waste Management, Solid Waste, Waste Management Techniques


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