AN ASSESSMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN LOKOJA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Increasing population poses serious challenges in municipal waste management especially in the developing metropolitan cities of Nigeria. This study seeks to assess the management system of solid waste in Lokoja metropolis to profound measures for adequate management. Systematic sampling was adopted in sampling five areas in Lokoja town and structured interview was conducted on the operational heads of Kogi State Sanitation and Waste management Board (KSWMB). Information on adequate working equipment, staff and solid waste handling concept were acquired, while data on the monthly volume of waste generated and collected from 2013 to 2018 were obtained and analysed. It was revealed that open dumping is the predominant method and practice of disposing solid waste; there are no landfill sites and incinerators in Lokoja, Kogi State. The results revealed that the highest volume of waste was recorded in July and August being the period of harvesting of some farm produce. The statistics showed that there is no significant difference in the level of waste generated and collected between each consecutive year at 95% significant level. Meanwhile, the minimum and maximum waste collected yearly stand at a constant value of 2240 and 2576 tonnes respectively. The difference in yearly waste collection from 2013 to 2018 was assessed from the pattern of change in the value of percentage waste collected which fell significantly from about 80% in 2013 to about 68% in 2018. Inadequate manpower and equipment were found to be the greatest challenges militating against the Board and inefficient method in treating solid waste in the metropolis. Conclusively, the amount of waste collected is perpetually behind that generated and that the management concept has no program for recycling of recyclable wastes. There is need to involve an approach that will allow for implementation of waste management hierarchy with less cost and maximum benefits to the State, by designation of sanitary landfill so that state government will allow for proper waste management in the municipal area. They should also involve the methods of converting waste to wealth in making bricks for building and waste dugs to fertilizers for crops cultivations. They should allow private sector to participate in waste management as well.