Penalty Point System (PePS) Adaptation for Solid Waste Assessment in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste generation in major urban centres in Nigeria appears to be on the increase due to increased consumption occasioned by rapid urbanization. Unfortunately, appreciable efforts are only being made in few urban areas with regards to monitoring this occurrence for the purpose of control and sanitation planning. This paper adapted and applied the novel Penalty Point System (PePS) as a methodology to investigate environmental pollution consequences of solid waste in Nigeria, using Calabar municipality, Cross River State as a case study. The objectives were to demonstrate the use of Penalty Pont System (PePS) as a tool for pollution (solid waste) assessment, unravel the environmental pollution consequences of improper solid waste management in Calabar Municipality, investigate various systems of solid waste disposal and management in Calabar Municipality, determine the relationship that exists between solid waste disposal problem and environmental sanitation and render viable recommendations for the purpose of reduction in the amount of solid waste generated and the need for proper management. Data for the study included a catalogue of the number of waste dumps in drainage systems and uncollected waste sites as well as responses to 200 copies of administered questionnaire. The penalty point system was used to allocate penalties to the defaulting locations for uncollected waste sites and dump-in drainages. It was discovered that Akim and Big Qua earned the highest penalty points of 120 each, amounting to 40 percent of the study area. This attribute clearly qualifies both districts as the poorest with regard to urban environmental sanitation. Further analysis was done using the Chi-squate statistics. Findings show that solid waste management system has a great effect on the quality of the environment that is possible in urban areas. It was therefore recommended that as a long-term measure, the government should enforce, support and sustain environmental education which is needed to promote manufacturing technologies that would enhance the production of consumer goods using low waste-generating practices.. Again, the government should provide access roads that are free from surface damage.