Sustainable Waste Management and Service Quality Delivery in Nigeria

Abstract

Waste disposal, collection and treatment is an indispensable facet in the developmental phases of rural and urban cities across the globe. The accumulation, disposal and treatment of waste in urban centers have become a predicament to both private and public stakeholders in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine sustainable waste management and service quality delivery in Nigeria. The issues to be addressed by this study include; attitude of residents towards waste disposal, non-conformity with modern waste collection/treatment processes, and the waste management infrastructural gaps. The study adopted the 9 Development Band global theory of waste and development - using Integrated Sustainable Waste Management – ISWM approaches, with a model elucidating the effects of waste management on environmental footprint. Descriptive survey technique was adopted in which, questionnaire was administered to 384 respondents in the metropolis, as well as the conduct of in-depth interview to obtain additional information on issues that were not clarified in the structured questionnaire. Data collected from the field were collated and analyzed using Pearson Correlations Analysis Technique, to ascertain the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The findings of the study revealed unwholesome and unsustainable approaches in waste disposal/management, and suggest effective service delivery approaches in line with the 9DB model ISWM. The study recommends that residents should dispose waste in line with established waste disposal procedures, waste management authorities should adopt efficient and sustainable waste collection and treatment approaches. If these suggestions are implemented; it could reduce the metropolis environmental footprint, mitigate on the current global climate change challenges, and promote the UN-SDG - 11 which anchors on the need for sustainable cities and communities.