Assessment of solid waste management in Sokoto metropolis

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the methods of solid waste management in Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto state North-Western Nigeria. The research gathered data from two main sources (Primary and secondary). The primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 120 households, while secondary data were sourced from ministerial documents. Descriptive statistics and chi square test of association were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that domestic source accounts for 55.8% of waste generated in the metropolis, commercial source accounts for 32.5% and agricultural waste accounts for 11.7% of waste generation in the study area. Majority (81.7%) of the respondents are reported using waste bin as the means of waste collection which is usually dumped at the nearby dumpsites or drainages. The relationships between socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and the method of waste disposal were examined using chi-square test of association. Among the variables compared, only educational level showed a significant relationship (X² = 18.446, P<0.05). Based on physical observations, the result revealed that there is high unauthorized waste disposal point in the study areas than authorized, which is an indication that majority of respondents dumped their waste illegally in resident areas, the study concluded that there is lack of waste disposal points in the metropolis and recommended based on findings that government should increase the number of waste collection points, waste collection vehicles and waste management staff.