ASSESSMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN DAURA TOWNSHIP, KATSINA STATE

Abstract

Solid waste management in urban centers of developing countries has been a major challenge as a result of increasing population, migration and rising standard of living. This study focuses on Daura Township, Katsina State northern Nigeria. The methodology deployed to achieve the aim is through direct observational technique during two field visits to the town. There is also the administration of questionnaire on respondents that were purposively sampled for the study and interview with the Zonal Officer of the waste management agency in charge of Daura town. The results obtained have shown that the State Government provides 78.12% of the waste disposal facilities while 12.88% of the facilities comprise the use of open spaces and uncompleted buildings. The efficiency of waste collection for disposal by the waste management agency is 55% of the wastes generated with the remaining 45% not collected for proper disposal. The major findings are that 22.82% of the respondents disposed wastes in authorized sites, waste materials are allowed to accumulate before vehicles and equipment are sent to collect the wastes for disposal and some of the residents are not cooperating with the Agency to ensure proper waste management. The challenges associated with waste management include blockage of drainages, air and land pollution, littering of streets and road sides. It is therefore recommended that adequate facilities, machineries and equipment should be provided by the State Government and public enlightenment campaign should be carried out to overcome the challenges of solid waste management in the township.