A GIS–AHP-based approach in siting MSW landfills in Lokoja, Nigeria

Abstract

The acute shortage and scarcity of lands for suitable waste disposal is rapidly becoming a critical growing potential problem in most urban cities in developing countries of the world, and several fast-growing cities in Nigeria are not exempted from this menace. In this study, geographic information system (GIS) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are combined to select the most suitable landfill location in Lokoja, Nigeria. The landfill site selection criteria considered include proximity to major road, powerline, water body, landfill areas and built-up area. GIS was used to digitize spatial features related to unsuitable landfill site. A total of 19 candidate landfill sites were identified from GIS analysis. AHP model was developed from the GIS result as multi-criteria decision tool in evaluating each candidate site so as to choose the best appropriate landfill site. AHP model rated candidate site 11 located along Jimgbe road has the most preferable site to locate a landfill in Lokoja with an approximate area of 3.4204 km2; the distance from the minor road, nearest water body, powerline and built-up areas to the location is 210.50 m, 1408.20 m, 1810.80 m and 205.61 m, respectively. Also, the model rated candidate site 16 located along 500 housing units as the least preferable site to locate a landfill in Lokoja. The characteristic features of the site location as obtained from GIS analysis include an approximate area of 2.5680 km2 at an approximate distance of 2430.75 m, 594.04 m, 1980 m and 200.68 m from the major road, water body, powerline and built-up areas, respectively. This result will greatly serve as guide in landfill site selection in major urban states of other developing countries.