Open Access Journal of Waste Management & Xenobiotics
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Open Access Journal of Waste Management & Xenobiotics ISSN: 2640-2718 MEDWIN PUBLISHERS Committed to Create Value for Researchers An Appraisal of the Waste Crisis, Urban Floods and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria Ogbonna DN1* and Udotong IR2 1Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, Nigeria Research Article 2Institute for Health, Safety, Security & Environment Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria Volume 4 Issue 1 Received Date: January 11, 2021 *Corresponding author: David N Ogbonna, Department of Microbiology; Rivers State Published Date: March 16, 2021 University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt Nigeria, Email: ogbonna.david@ DOI: 10.23880/oajwx-16000156 ust.edu.ng Abstract Solid Waste Management (SWM) system has become one of the contemporary issues of the 21st century at all levels. SWM of waste that is generated should be minimized, storage containers should be adequate and suitable, collection should be value chain from generation, storage, collection, transportation to disposal requires proper and efficient control. The volume frequent, transportation vehicles should be appropriate for the purpose and disposal of wastes should be at dumpsites. Municipal Solid Waste management for that matter has become problematic with Port Harcourt as the city is being inundated with so much filth which has proven to be very difficult and seemingly impossible for the municipal authorities to tackle. Efficient MSWM systems require professional management, supported by an informed population and appropriate legislation and policies. This narrative deals to review different waste fractions showing how several sources of pollution are affecting the comprehensive impacts and plan for integrated solid waste collection, disposal and treatment systems, to improve the environment, population health, and sustainable development. This calls for scholars and stakeholders to quantify environmental sustainability at all levels. Keywords: Municipal Solid Wastes; Environmental Contamination; Public Health; Waste Generation, Solid Waste Management; Urban Flooding, Environmental Sustainability Introduction generated in all sorts of ways and its composition and volume largely depend on consumption patterns and on industrial Background of the Study and economic structures [3]. It is estimated that 2000 tonnes of domestic waste is generated daily from the entire Port One major problem of urbanization is solid waste Harcourt city, of which 15% ends up in waste dumpsites, generation. Because of the increasing population and open spaces, market places and street corners (Igoni and the increasing waste generation rates due to increased consumption of a range of products and its associated of storm water drains, surface and groundwater pollution packaging, heaps of MSW along major roads, stream channels, resultingHarry, 2017). to Thisenvironmental uncontrolled degradation, dumping has leddestruction to blockages of riverbanks and in open spaces are very common in Nigeria the ecosystem and poses great risks to public health thus especially in Port Harcourt metropolis [1,2]. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) in Port Harcourt is stream is mixed with high organic content in addition to characterized by indiscriminate dumping of wastes. Waste is brokendefacing glasses, the aesthetics aluminium, of the paper, garden wood, city plastics, status. grease,The waste oil, An Appraisal of the Waste Crisis, Urban Floods and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Port J Waste Manage Xenobio Harcourt City, Nigeria 2 Open Access Journal of Waste Management & Xenobiotics scrap materials, industrial wastes, medical wastes, polythene including household, industries, business centres, hospitals, clinics,bags etc. markets, These abattoirs,wastes originate etc. from a range of sources Statement of the Problem Urbanization and industrial development is seen as an economic transformation, a breakthrough to poverty narrow the gap between nations or individuals [4], but it Figure 2: Wastes clogging stream channels at Ntawogba alleviation and inflation reduction, it is also expected to help creek along Ikoku/Olu-Obasanjo Road. management due to volume and variety of wastes generated has been identified as playing a negative role in solid waste lifestyle and consumption pattern [5-8]. Such development inresulting most cases from increasedalters the flowssubsisting of goods equilibrium and services, leading changing to a be due to lack of waste management methods and ideologies bysituation statutory that authorities negatively and impact stakeholders. human existence. This may In recognition of the monumental challenges of MSW management, Governments in Nigeria particularly in Rivers State have attempted to tackle waste management issues Figure 3: Flooding of some parts of Port Harcourt: (a) Evo Crescent, GRA Phase 11 (JULY 2017); (b) Omoku Street/ (i) Designation of solid waste collection centres on major Olu Obasanjo Road. roadsthrough and the public “task markets; force” approach. and This involves: (ii) Use of local contractors/agencies to evacuate the wastes generated. This is because wastes are dumped into drainages and the communities(Figures 1 & 2)are that adversely block the affected. free flow Some of runoff people water dump and theirthis practice wastes ongives the rise road to sideflooding (Figure (Figures 5), thereby 3 & 4) reducing the width of the road and aesthetics of the cities especially the nooks and crannies of most cities in Nigeria; where you in developing countries. This is evident as you walk across parks, gardens, commercial centres and other areas [2,9-12]. Figure 4: Winners Chapel along Airport/Ikwerre Road in find heaps of refuse littering the entire landscape, roadsides, Port Harcourt. Figure 1: Wastes clogging stream channels at Ntawogba creek along Ikoku/Olu-Obasanjo Road. Figure 5: Wastes heaps dumped on major streets in Port Harcourt around Rumuola axis. Fe H, et al. An Appraisal of the Waste Crisis, Urban Floods and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Copyright© Fe H, et al. Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. J Waste Manage Xenobio 2020, 3(4): 000156. 3 Open Access Journal of Waste Management & Xenobiotics Aims and Objectives of this Review lube oil, paper printer cartridges, food and refuse wastes, batteries, tyres, associated gas, scrap metal, produced water etc. Port Harcourt at its establishment in 1912, was 30,000 acres (315km2) but since has expanded due to rapid growth asThe well overall as Waste aim of Management this review isoptions to collate in Port into Harcourtone readable city. in population, uncontrolled development which began to document the current status of waste crisis, urban flooding take place as many native villages gradually develop into 1. Analyse current practices of waste management and suburban residential areas. At present, Port Harcourt is Somewaste specific disposal objectives patterns of this in thereview Port are Harcourt to: metropolis characterized by rapid population (with over 2 million environment; people) and good roads network. 2. Highlight problems faced by poor practices of waste handling and disposal in Port Harcourt metropolis; Four streams drain into the Port Harcourt metropolis 3. Identify the impacts of waste mismanagement particularly focusing on environmental contamination, main stream channels include Ntawogba creek, Woji creek, social issues and associated health risks; Elekahia/Nwajaconnecting to several creek, creeksRumuebekwe/Elelenwo that leads to the creek sea. Theetc. 4. Analyse the environmental impacts due to unsustainable management of municipal solid wastes in Port Harcourt water draining the Ora-Azi forest and meanders through metropolis; and theThe Ntanwogbadensely Port creek Harcourt is a black city water into streamthe Bonny with Estuary.its head 5. Proffer views for improvement of waste management system in Port Harcourt metropolis. through areas including the Sanni Abacha (GRA phase The creek flows in a South Easterly direction and it runs Study Area runs through Aba Express road by the Federal Road Safety building3), Olu-Obasanjo, and Amassoma Okija andStreet Afam in the streets. old GRA The area creek of Portalso Harcourt. It is exposed to increasing amount of urban metropolis (Figure 6). Port Harcourt is situated within the NigerThe Delta study region area atfor the this southernmost review article part is the of PortNigeria. Harcourt domestic discharges, wastes from markets and construction siteswaste [13]. as it Woji flows creek seaward, is located which in theare Westernmainly from parts garages, of Port likeHarcourt Rumuokoro, city. This Eliozu, is a long Port and Harcourt-Aba narrow shaped Expressway catchment. by The creek flows towards the South East draining areas passes through Abuloma and eventually discharging into the BonnyGenesis River. Hotel, Elekahia/Nwaja Rumuobiakani creekand Trans is located Woji bridgein the westernareas, it thepart major of the Port city Harcourtof Port Harcourt –Aba express in Rivers road State. near theThe Rivers creek drains towards the southeastern direction. The creek drains police barrack (Mopol 19), Rumukalagbo town, Nwaja bridge State Independent Electoral Commission office, the Mobile directionand Nkpogu and sanddrains fill Rumuokrushi, emptying into Elelenwo, the Bonny Rumuebekwe river. The Rumuebekwe/Elelenwo creek flows in the South Eastern same characteristic with Woji creek. Figure 6: Map showing the study location. and Trans Woji road emptying into the Bonny River. It shares