Abstract
ANALYSING MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN SELECTED AREAS OF PORT-HARCOURT METROPOLIS
*Dr. Enwin Anthony D., Nze-Dike Chijioke Ukaha and Dr. Nnaemeka Bennet Christian Dillon Okoye
ABSTRACT
The increasing global population in urban areas has greatly enhanced solid waste production. In underdeveloped countries, such as Nigeria, waste mismanagement increases as urbanisation increases. Enormous amounts of public solid waste are generated, and the concern of urban waste management are gaining traction because the uncollected garbage in the streets causes harm, environmental degradation, and public health risk. Port-Harcourt, which was popularly known as Nigeria's "Garden City" because of its neatness and the abundance of vegetation throughout the metropolis, is now known as the "Garbage City" due to poorly managed waste disposal system characterised by indiscriminate dumping that obstruct traffic flow, drainage systems, and cause frequent flooding. This research carefully assesses the present municipal solid waste management system in Port-Harcourt, focusing on Government Residential Area (GRA), Diobu, and Main Township Areas. The results obtained indicate that more nylon and other plastic wastes are generated by the residents of Diobu. G.R.A. ranks highest for nylon, glass, paper and plastics, although glasses and metals are the minor waste type generated in these study areas. Diobu and the old Port Harcourt Township have a central waste collection system. Residents dispose of their waste products on roadside kerbs and sometimes in waste vans parked by the roadside. In contrast, in the GRA, the waste bin system is practised where every household is required to station a standard waste bin in front of their buildings and is carried out by the waste disposal contractors. It is recommended that the city's waste management situation be improved and modernized to cope with the increasing population pressures. Policies should also be implemented diligently to attack the rising menace of indiscriminate waste disposal.
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