Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the current solid waste management practices in Damaturu town and provides a brief discussion on the future challenges. Damaturu town became a state capital in August 1991. Since then the population has been on a steady increase mainly due to influx of people and its strategic location along axial route to major cities in the northeast region. Wastes are being generated mainly from residential, commercial and institutional land uses. Waste collection bins are placed at strategic locations identified by the agency and termed as high waste generating points with wheeled plastic waste bins, metal waste bins and constructed waste bunkers. The contents of these bins are finally disposed of at a location 6 kilometers away from the generating points. Spatial data on waste distribution was collected using a global positioning system (GPS). The data was manipulated and processed using Geographic information system (GIS) to produce the waste distribution map. Findings revealed that the existing solid waste management system is inefficient as the present practice rely on monthly collection and disposal of waste using an open dump site.
Highlights
Solid waste management has become a global problem especially in the developing countries of the world
Statistics show that the population growth rate of Nigeria as at 1991 was 3.0% and an urban growth rate of about 5.5% per annum, while the average waste generation rate is put at 0.49 kg per day [2]
Urban centers in Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in waste generation due to urbanization and increase in population, for instance Abuja the nation’s capital generates between tons [4] while Minna the Niger state capital generates about 90 tons of solid waste per day [5] among others
Summary
Solid waste management has become a global problem especially in the developing countries of the world. The situation appears to continue unabated due largely to the factors of urbanization, population growth, improved life style and insufficient funds to properly manage solid waste [1]. Statistics show that the population growth rate of Nigeria as at 1991 was 3.0% and an urban growth rate of about 5.5% per annum, while the average waste generation rate is put at 0.49 kg per day [2]. Urban centers in Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in waste generation due to urbanization and increase in population, for instance Abuja the nation’s capital generates between. The loss of urban green and other vacant plots does threaten the urban climate and ecosystems, but it may affect a city’s image and the residential satisfaction in general
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