An Assessment of Environmental Sanitation and Solid Waste Management in Ibadan North Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poorly controlled and roadside dumping of wastes not only degrades aesthetic quality and beauty of the environment but also pollute soil and water resources as well as serving as potential health hazards to the populace. This study was therefore carried out to assess the environmental sanitation and solid waste management in Ibadan North Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria. Structural functionalist theory and theory of planned behaviour were used as the theoretical framework. The study employed descriptive survey design. The sample for the study was 416 respondents selected through a combination of cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data collected were analysed at both univariate and bivariate levels while qualitative data were content analysed. Findings from the study revealed that environmental sanitation and solid wastes are managed by a combination of agencies at both state and local government levels as well as private agencies. There was a significant relationship between the awareness of governmental agencies and awareness of public/private partnership (X2=12.887, df=l, p<O.05). Majority of the residents acknowledged the effectiveness of the public/private partnership and there was a positive relationship between the residential wards of respondents and the means of waste disposal employed such as burning (X2=26.081, df=J1, p<O.05) with the exception of community dumpsites which showed a negative relationship (X2=17.788, df=ll, p>O.05). Also, the relationship between residential wards of respondents and the number of times solid wastes are collected was positive (X2=85.810, df=44, p<O.05). The communities with inaccessible roads are hardly visited by the governmental and private agencies to collect solid wastes. The study also showed that residents in Ibadan North LGA have positive attitudes concerning some aspects of environmental sanitation but have negative attitudes towards other aspects of solid waste management. There should be continuous enlightenment of residents, strict enforcement of sanctions and rewards for good waste management practice in order to enhance the effectiveness of solid waste management in Ibadan North LGA.