The rapid population growth, and rise in community living standards has been a major contributor to generation rate of municipal solid waste. Managing it has been a major challenge worldwide. This study examines the waste management activities of Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA). The study utilizes simple descriptive statistics including tables, frequencies and percentages for data analyses. The results indicated that most waste generated is from domestic activities with 69%. Majority of the respondents constituting 45% pointed garbage as the type of waste generated and the results also indicated that majority of the respondents are using plastic containers representing about 43%, while 42% of the respondents disposed waste openly. With respect to the expectation of BOSEPA, 48% admitted that regular collection of refuse is not carried out by BOSEPA as expected. The study concludes that the metropolis is lacking waste collection points, collection containers and the respondents hardly see BOSEPA staff in the available collection points for refuse collection.
2. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
Wunubo et al. 174
Something becomes waste when it is no longer useful to
the owner, or it is so used that it fails to fulfill its purpose.
Under normal conditions, solid waste is generated from
the following main sources, this generation being typically
stable with quantities and composition of waste being
known:
1. Households
2. Construction and demolition site
3. Hospitals with clinical and healthcare waste
4. Industries, for example factories and other
industrial sites
The most important threat to the quality of urban
environment in Nigeria are domestic waste (fuel residues,
wrapping papers, plastic bags, leaves, empty cans and
bottles and other forms of containers) and industrial
waste (metal scraps, saw dust, waste paper, chips and
grits from machine and pieces of glass). (Nest, 1991).
WASTE GENERATION AND DISPOSAL
Municipal solid waste generation in Nigeria ranges from
0.44 kg/capita/day to 0.66 kg/capita/ day, the variation
depending on socio economic variables such as location,
income level, and dietary habits amongst others.(UNDP,
2016).In his own opinion, Al-khatib et al (2010) attributed
the generation rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) to
rapid population, economic growth, and rise in community
living standards, thereby causing its management to be a
major worldwide challenge. Nigeria as a country,
witnessed rapid growth in the nation’s economy
occasioned by mineral resource exploration and
exploitation. As a result, old and new cities that are now
state capitals and local government headquarters expand
in size and population accompanied by a phenomenal
increase in volume and diversity of solid waste generated
daily. Maiduguri is not an exception in terms of expands
in size, population and economy. Population movement
from rural area into the city as a result of insurgency and
in search of jobs resulted in major urban centers
experiencing an increase in total waste generation. In
Borno state, 2,690 tons of municipal solid wastes are
generated daily, with IDP movement contributing to shift
825 tons of daily waste generation to the urban locations
such as Maiduguri. In the state capital alone, daily waste
generation rose from an estimated 390 to 570 tons per
day. (UNDP. 2016).Fellman, H. J., Getis, A & Getis , J.
(1995) claims that growth in population and concentration
in urban areas, growth in purchasing power and in
consumption patterns are attended by growth in the
volume of waste generated. This is result from urban
people buying of packaged foods, preference and
demand for plastic wrapping and containers for bought
items and the desire for wide range manufactured goods
both consumer durables and those to be used and
discarded quickly.
The volume of waste generated in country has
overwhelmed urban administrators’ capacity plan for their
collection and disposal. In some Nigeria cities the
volumes of solid waste have assumed such alarming
proportions that they have constituted blockages across
streets and river channels, rendering them inaccessible
to traffic and water respectively. (Kagu, 1996). Waste
dumping is the common practice of waste disposal in
Nigeria. They are frequently and indiscriminately dumped
on open plots of lands and especially on streets. This
method is based on “throw away culture” in which wastes
are disposed into the nearest open space, on land or
surface water without any thought of environmental
impacts. This is refers to what is known as “Not in my
backyard syndrome” (Okpala, 1997). Oyediran (1997)
has observed that sometimes, the waste are buried or
used in landfills, in the expectation that out of sight is out
of mind.
EFFECTS OF SOLID WASTE ON URBAND
ENVIRONMENT
There are a lot of health hazards and other negative
consequences on the people and the environment as a
result of improper disposal of solid waste. The breeding
grounds for mosquitoes, flies, rats and other disease
vectors in most urban areas is as a result of open waste
dumps. (Kagu, 1996).According to (Kagu, 1996, NEST,
1991 and Oyediran, 1997,) identified the followings as
some of the major effects of solid waste, they are:
Environmental degradation, insects, odour, rats and
atmospheric pollution. Indiscriminate depositing of
polythene bags, plastics and other non-biodegradable
materials also deface the natural beauty of urban
landscape in Nigeria.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal
of waste including the after care of the disposal site is
refer to as waste management. (Oyediran, 1997). It also
comprises the complete range of administrative, financial,
legal, and planning functions, as well as the physical
aspects of solid waste handling. It is known from the
definition that solid waste management is only one
aspect of waste management. Thus the developments of
efficient waste management strategy consist of all
management elements and not just the narrow disposal
perception held by many. Therefore, a good
understanding of waste generation processes and
adequate characterization of wastes leads to appropriate
waste management.
Madu (2001) sees solid waste management as an
important public health challenge and problem and a
basic factor impacting the quality of the environment. The
author further suggested the need for proper solid waste
management and should include:
a. To ensure favorable living and working conditions
for people and preserve the aesthetic beauty of the
3. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 175
environment.
b. To try to reduce the incidence of epidemics of
avoidable diseases which often results from failure or
delay in disposing wastes.
c. To avoid pollution by not directly or indirectly
altering the physical, biological and thermal properties of
any part of the excessive or dangerous amount or to
create a condition this is hazardous to public health and
safety or welfare to animals and plants.
Solid waste management is an aspect of environmental
management which is seen as a conscious and
systematic effort by one or more persons acting in
concert to produce an aesthetically pleasing,
economically viable and physically healthy environment.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION DAY MODEL
An environmental sanitation edict was established in
1972-73 by Federal Government of Nigeria with the aim
of generating awareness and enhances enthusiasm
among the citizens’ particularly the youth. (Napoleon S.M,
Kingsley D.& Joan, 2011).One day (last Saturday of
every month) was dedicated as a civil responsibility
toward the cleaning and beautification of the environment
by all citizen of Nigeria between 7.00am-10.00am in
observation of National Environmental Sanitation Day.
Residence are to clean roads and streets, neighborhood
surroundings, drainage channels, market centre, public
buildings, etc. domestic solid waste such as kitchen
waste, commercial and industrial wastes, outdoor wastes
were also gathered and disposed accordingly. Except on
emergency cases movement is not allowed.
Despite the one-day-a month national sanitation day /
exercise, some people will generate wastes and do not
know where to dump them. And there are some who may
know where the sites are located but find them too far
away or do not have the means or the alternative method
of disposal. They, therefore, indulge in indiscriminate
dumping of non hazardous solid wastes at night and in
isolated spots in Cities without deterrence.
According to the authors Unclear refuse heaps still
inundate our activity nuclei, viz. markets, shopping
centers, civic centers, public fields, residential
neighborhood set as a result of non-conformance and
non compliance to existing laws and poorly coordinated
municipal solid wastes clearance scheme. Even then, the
monthly one day Saturday weekend is too minimal and
insufficient to combat the rate of the wastes build up so
that the uncollected garbage from residential units and
drainage channels return to existing status or form. The
markets for example, remain filthy because of unclear
solid wastes. Therefore, the chain or cycles of event will
not have any meaningful impact is due to its distant and
disconnection. It is also noteworthy that there are often
no credible designated sanitary landfill sites.
BORNO STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY(BOSEPA)
The Borno State Environmental Protection Agency
(BOSEPA) was established in 1995 by the then
government, (News diary Online, 2014).In Borno,
BOSEPA is in charge of waste collection and
management of dumpsites, healthcare waste is managed
by hospitals under Ministry of Health for public structures,
but there is currently no system in place for treatment and
disposal of healthcare waste from private facilities such
as health clinics, pharmacies and veterinary clinics.
BOSEPA is also in charge of transfer of waste from IDP
camps to disposal sites. It provides 60 1.1 m3 dustbins
(collector bins) in the streets as communal storage
containers, however the number of containers is
insufficient and their state is often poor, reason for which
they must be emptied manually into compactor trucks.
Additionally, in Maiduguri there are 4,500 plastic bins of
various shape and capacity: 120L capacity wheelie bins,
round 200L round plastic bins, and 60L plastic bins.21.
(UNDP, 2016).
In Maiduguri the study area, there are communal storage
locations in the form of concrete enclosures, which
seems there, are not being used, while other enclosure
where originally dedicated for bus stops and are currently
used as temporary dumps sites. As the number of bins
proves insufficient, coverage is limited to main streets
and some public places. Open dumping and burning is
widespread across the city of Maiduguri: open spaces
and unused plots of land are used as dumping grounds
for household and construction waste. The topology of
the state capital makes natural water bodies and
drainage ditches the second destination for dumping
household and commercial waste.
METHODS OF URBAN WASTE DISPOSAL
There are various methods of waste disposal which
include:
I.Incineration
II.Compositing
III.Open dumping
IV.Sanitary land filling
V.Recycling
VI.Onsite disposal
METHODS OF URBAN WASTE DISPOSAL USED BY
BOSEPA
To address the rise in generated waste, estimated to be
equivalent to 45% increase from the pre-crisis level,
BOSEPA has adopted the following waste disposal
methods.
4. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
Wunubo et al. 176
Figure 1. Showing the study area
Source: (Abba Kagu, 2013).
Recycling
BOSEPA is currently piloting a recycling project to make
interlocking paving blocks out of plastic bags. The
process is labour intensive and on a small scales due to
its reliance on manual tools. The informal sector
dominates the recycling activities in Borno. Waste pickers
collect metallic waste and PET bottles from dumpsites
and sell them to scrapyards and junkshops, who also
collect metal scrap from mechanical workshops. . In turn,
scrap yard and junkshop owners sell recovered materials
to companies from Abuja, Kano and Lagos, ultimately
leading to either recycling in country or export. There is
currently no glass or paper and cardboard recycling,
while there is some level of recovery for rubber; women
also pick yard or green waste, namely tree branches and
other wood waste for firewood.
Open dumping
There are 4 dumpsites in Maiduguri designated by
BOSEPA as official disposal sites. These are excavation
pits from road and construction works located in the city
outskirts, which are managed under a semi controlled
dumping regime. Refuse is dumped on a daily basis,
before being it partially compacted, sanitized and capped
with a laterite layer. Once a section is brought to the level
of the road, construction ensues on the reclaimed patch
of land.
STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY
Study Area
Maiduguri urban, with a land mass of 137.356 Sq km
(NPC, 2010), is located between latitude N 11°46'18" to
N11°53'21" and longitude E 13°03'23" to E 13°14'19"
(Google Earth, 2012, in Kagu, 2013). The area lies within
the lake Chad Basin formation, which is an area formed
as a result of down-warping during the Pleistocene period
(Waziri,2007 in Kagu, 2013).
Methodology
This study is limited to Maiduguri Metropolitan Council
(MMC). MMC comprises fifteen wards (15) out of which
5. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 177
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents in Maiduguri Metropolis
S / N V A R I A B L E C L A S S S C O R E PERCENTAGE (%)
1 G e n d e r M a l e
F e m a l e
2 3 5
6 5
7 8
2 2
2 A g e 2 0 - 3 5
3 6 - 4 5
4 6 - 5 5
5 6 - 6 5
9 6
1 3 6
3 9
2 9
3 2
4 5
1 3
1 0
3 E d u c a t i o n a l L e v e l N o f o r m a l
P r i m a r y
S e c o n d a r y
T e r t i a r y
8 3
9 1
1 1 5
1 1
2 8
3 0
3 8
0 4
4 M a r i t a l s t a t u s S i n g l e
M a r r i e d
D i v o r c e d
W i d o w
8 5
1 8 4
1 1
2 0
2 8
6 1
0 4
0 7
5 O c c u p a t i o n C i v i l s e r v a n t
T r a d i n g
F a r m i n g
S t u d e n t
4 5
1 0 8
8 0
6 7
1 5
3 6
2 7
2 2
Authors’ field work (2017)
three (3) were selected (Gwenge ward, Hausari ward and
GRA ward)to ensure spatial coverage of the study area.
Furthermore, structured questionnaire was used in data
collection. This questionnaire contained 18 items divided
into the sections A and B. Section A conveyed the
demographics of the respondent while the second section
of the questionnaire waste generation and assessed the
sanitary activity of BOSEPA in the study area. A total of
three hundred (300) questionnaire were administered that
is, one hundred per ward.
The data obtained from the field was analyzed using
simple descriptive; the simple descriptive includes
frequency and percentages.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1 shows the result of analysis of respondents’
socio-demographic characteristics. Table 1 result shows
that men constituted 235 (78%) which shows there were
more male respondents compare to female respondents.
The table also shows that the age grade (36-45) have the
highest representation with 136 (45%) followed by age
grade (20-35) with 32%. while the age grade (46-55
years) seems to constitute the lowest group of
respondents with about 13%. This low percentage
response from the strong and virile working class may be
attributable to the fact that this age grade may likely be at
their work places, at the time of questionnaire
administration. This finding agree with the similar
research works carried out by Ngwuluka et al (2009) in
Lagos which found out that the lowest class of
respondents in most waste management related research
usually are the strong and virile.
Analysis of educational level of respondents’ shows that
the Non formal constitute (28%), primary with (30%),
secondary (38) and tertiary (04) respectively. This result
shows that majority of the respondents are secondary
leavers constituting the traders and farmers in the study
area. On the issue of marital status, table 1 shows that
184 respondents from all the three wards constituting
about 61% of respondents were married couples, while
the lowest group (04%) is made up of divorced
respondents.
In the same vein, the result of analysis of occupational
status of the respondents’ as presented in table 1 shows
that traders (36%) are the majority of them. farmers
(27%), students (22%) and civil servants (15%) are the
other occupation observed in the study area and their
percentage representation.
The figure in table 2 indicate that the research was
carried out mostly in a residential houses constituting
about 176 (59%) of the respondents while for commercial
purposes is comprises of about (34%). The analysis
further confirmed that some respondents lived there for
about 1-5 years constituting (20%). While 6-10years
(58%), 11-15years (14%), and 16 years and above,
(08%).
On the issue of type of waste generated, table 2 shows
that (07%) respondents confirmed Ashes as the type of
waste generated. While the majority of the respondents
constituting (45%) pointed garbage as the type of waste
generated. This could be attributable to the fact that most
wastes are not burnt. Rubbish (33%) and others such as
glass and wood (15%). In terms of waste containers,
table shows that majority of the respondents are using
plastic containers representing about (43%). 25% of
6. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
Wunubo et al. 178
Table 2: Waste generation Information for Maiduguri Metropolis
S / N V A R I A B L E C L A S S S C O R E P E R C E N T A G E ( % )
6 T y p e o f l a n d u s e R e s i d e n t i a l
C o m m e r c i a l
I n d u s t r i a l
I n s t i t u t i o n a l
1 7 6
1 0 3
0 0
2 1
5 9
3 4
0 0
0 7
7 L i v i n g d u r a t i o n 1 - 5 y e a r s
6 - 1 0 y e a r s
1 1 - 1 5 y e a r s
1 6 a n d a b o v e
6 0
1 7 4
4 2
2 4
2 0
5 8
1 4
0 8
8 T y p e o f w a s t e g e n e r a t e d A s h e s
G a r b a g e
R u b b i s h
G l a s s e s a n d w o o d
2 1
1 3 5
9 8
4 6
0 7
4 5
3 3
1 5
9 K i n d o f w a s t e c o n t a i n e r s M e t a l
B u c k e t
P l a s t i c c o n t a i n e r s
C a r t o n s
O p e n d u m p s
7 5
6 0
1 3 0
0 0
3 5
2 5
2 0
4 3
0 0
1 2
1 0 S o u r c e o f w a st e g e n e r at i o n F a r m p r o d u c t s
D o m e s t i c a c t i v i t y
I n d u s t r i a l
6 2
2 0 8
3 0
2 1
6 9
1 0
1 1 R e f u s e d i s p o s a l O p e n s p a c e
B a c k y a r d
D r a i n a g e
l a n d f i l l
1 2 6
7 4
3 0
7 0
4 2
2 5
1 0
2 3
Authors’ field work (2017)
Table 3: Assessment of BOSEPA
S / N V A R I A B L E C L A S S S C O R E P E R C E N T A G E ( % )
1 2 Are you aware of the activi ti es of BOSEP A Y e s
N o
1 7 0
1 3 0
5 7
4 3
1 3 Are disposed refuse ever collected by the agenc y Y e s
N o
1 5 5
1 4 5
5 2
4 8
1 4 Collection points provided by the agenc y Y e s
N o
1 2 4
1 7 6
4 1
5 9
1 5 Nu m b er o f co ll ec ti o n po in ts r ec or d e d 5 p o i n t s
1 0 p o i n t s
1 5 p o i n t s
2 0 p o i n t s
N o n e
7 0
3 6
3 0
2 0
1 4 4
2 3
1 2
1 0
0 7
4 8
1 6 V i s i t s r e c o r d e d b y B O S E P A W e e k l y
M o n t h l y
Y e a r l y
N e v e r
1 5
4 5
7 8
1 6 2
0 5
1 5
2 6
5 4
1 7 A s s e s s m e n t o f B O S E P A a c t i v i t i e s 2 0 %
4 0 %
6 0 %
8 0 %
1 0 0 %
1 7 9
5 4
4 2
2 1
0 4
6 0
1 8
1 4
0 7
0 1
Authors’ field work (2017)
respondents are using metal waste containers. The table
further shows that most waste generated are from
domestic activities with (69%). This high percentage
further agrees with the findings that most areas are for
residential purposes. The farm products represented
(21%) and 10% is from industrial source. In the same
vein the table shows that most respondents constituting
(42%) disposed waste openly, followed by (25%) of
respondents disposed waste at the backyards. Drainage
(10%) and landfill (23%). This indiscriminate dumping of
refuse seems to agree with the study by UNDP (2016) in
Maiduguri which stated that the number of containers is
insufficient and their state is often poor. Coverage is
limited to main streets and some public places.
Table 3 shows the result of assessment of the Borno
State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).
7. An assessment of waste management activities of Borno State environmental protection agency (BOSEPA)
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 179
Result from the table indicated that 57%) of respondents
are aware of BOSEPA activities. While (43%)
respondents’ dispute it. This implies that the impacts of
BOSEPA activities are not felt evenly. The table also
shows that (48%) admitted that regular collection of
refuse is not carried out by BOSEPA as expected. This is
why heaps of waste can be sighted in some parts of
MMC. The research further shows that there are grossly
inadequate collection points as admitted by (59%)
respondents. This is why open spaces and unused plots
of land are used as dumping grounds for household and
construction waste in the city of Maiduguri.
Irregular visit was also noticed from the study. The table
revealed that (54%) of the respondents admitted that
refuse are not cleared completely by the agency. Weekly
collection of refuse was admitted by only (5%) of the
respondents. No wonder Al-Khatib and Arafat, (2010)
showed that waste collections are irregular and is only
restricted to the major cities.
CHALLENGES
Effective and timely collection and environmentally sound
disposal of waste has been a challenge faced by
BOSEPA. The capacity of the agency is limited due to
lack of vehicle, vehicle spare parts, lack of know-how and
human capital pertaining use of ICT equipment, finance
and management, technical knowledge of waste
management standards and best practices by staff of
agency. (UNDP, 2016).
CONCLUSION
The rapid population, economic growth, and rise in
community living standards has been a major contributor
to generation rate of municipal solid waste, managing it
has been a major challenge worldwide. Despite the
existence of Borno State environmental Protection
Agency (BOSEPA), collection, transport, storage,
treatment and disposal of waste within the Metropolis is
still facing pre-mature operation. The study has found
that, the Metropolis is lacking waste collection points,
collection containers and the respondents hardly see
BOSEPA staff in the available collection points for refuse
collection. There should be proper environmental
sanitation enlightenment to educate the populace on
negative impacts of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and
effective penalties must be invoked and culprits
punished, so that the enforcement of proper practices are
not left to area wide waste management authorities
alone. BOSEPA should keep to an effective chain in the
cycle of timely clearance to designated landfills, dump
sites, for incineration and compacting and composting
should be integrated into energy and the land reclamation
schemes envisioned in the future. Government should
invest massively in the affairs of environmental waste
management through sufficient support of agency
charged with the responsibility of waste management by
way of adequate funding and circulatory infrastructural
improvements to enable the agency perform successfully
if the current situations need to be reversed.
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