Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Solid waste management is a critical issue facing many developing countries, including Nigeria. The increasing population growth and urbanization have led to a significant rise in the amount of solid waste generated in the country. This has consequently resulted in a growing number of landfills being established to handle the disposal of this waste. However, the impact of these landfills on the environment, public health, and socio-economic well-being of the communities living in proximity to these sites is a cause for concern. This research project aims to assess the impact of solid waste landfills in Nigeria. The study will focus on both the environmental and public health implications of these landfills. Environmental impacts such as soil and water contamination, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions will be evaluated through field studies and laboratory analyses. The potential health risks to nearby communities, including respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and other diseases related to exposure to landfill leachate and emissions, will also be investigated. Furthermore, the socio-economic consequences of solid waste landfills will be examined. This will involve assessing the impact of landfills on property values, local businesses, and overall community well-being. The study will also explore the effectiveness of current waste management practices and policies in mitigating these impacts and propose recommendations for improvement. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews and surveys. Data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on solid waste management in Nigeria and provide valuable insights for policymakers, environmental agencies, and local communities. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to raise awareness about the negative consequences of solid waste landfills and advocate for more sustainable waste management practices in Nigeria. By highlighting the environmental, public health, and socio-economic impacts of landfills, this study aims to facilitate informed decision-making and promote the implementation of effective waste management strategies to protect the environment and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Solid wastes comprise all the wastes arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid, discarded as useless or unwanted. Also included are by- products of process lines or materials that may be required by law to be disposed of (Okecha 2000). Solid waste can be classified in a number of ways, on the basis of sources, environmental risks, utility and physical property.

On the basis of source, solid wastes are again classified as: Municipal Solid Wastes, Industrial Solid Wastes and Agricultural Solid Wastes. Nigeria’s major urban centres are today fighting to clear mounting heaps of solid waste from their environments.

These strategic centres of beauty, peace and security are being overtaken by the messy nature of over flowing dumps unattended heaps of solid wastes emanating from household or domestic or kitchen sources, markets, shopping and business centres. Solid Waste Landfills.

City officials appear unable to combat unlawful and haphazard dumping of hazardous commercial and industrial wastes which are a clear violation of the clean Air and Health Edicts in our environmental sanitation laws, rules and regulation. Refuse generation and its likely effects on the health, quality of environment and the urban landscape have become burning national issues in Nigeria today. All stakeholders concern with the safety and the beautification of our environment have come to realise the negative consequences of uncleared solid human wastes found in residential neighbourhoods, markets, schools, and central business districts in our cities.

These solid wastes have become recurring features in our urban environment. It is no longer in doubt that our cities are inundated with the challenges of uncleared solid wastes. As a result, urban residents are often confronted with the hazardous impact to their collective health and safety. The hue and cry over the health consequences of exposed and fermenting rubbish have not been quantified, although their impact is noticeable, especially in times of epidemic in congested activity nucleicivic centres, CBDS, neigbhourhoods, etc.

A United Nations Report (August 2004) noted with regret that while developing countries are improving access to clean drinking water they are falling behind on sanitation goals. At one of its summit in 2000 (Uwaegbelun 2004) revealed that The World Health Organization- (WHO 2004) and United Nations International Children Education Fund- (UNICEF 2004) joint report in August 2004 that: “about 2.4 billion people will likely face the risk of needless disease and death by the target of 2015 because of bad sanitation”.

The report also noted that bad sanitation – decaying or non-existent sewage system and toilets- fuels the spread of diseases like cholera and basic illness like diarrhea, which kills a child every 21 seconds. The hardest hit by bad sanitation is rural poor and residents of slum areas in fast-growing cities, mostly in Africa and Asia . Solid Waste Landfills.