Environmental Safety and Sustainability: A Panacea for Healthy National Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The role of legislation in inducing responsible attitudes and behaviours towards the environment cannot be overlooked. Legislation serves as an effective instrument for environmental protection, planning, pollution, prevention and control. The following provides a summary of Nigerian legislation on the environment. This paper attempts to discuss environmental problems in Nigeria, characteristic disposal of waste, the consequences of inappropriate disposal, environmental safety as well as its sustainability and protection. Recommendations were also given. One of such recommendations is that environmental protection techniques need to be cultured, home-grown and the framework should begin from “Bottom to Top” and should be community based. The framework should be organized at the village or community level. A numbered of community should be grouped together at the (political) ward level and from ward level to Local Government Level to oversee this function. Environmental protection agents at the local government level should be empowered to punish every offender in form of tax or penalty. Environmental awareness education should be included and enforced in the primary and post primary school curricula. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n13p77