AN APPRAISAL OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanization and development in Ekiti State, solid waste management has become a significant challenge that has affected deformed the aesthetic value and affected the healthiness of the inhabitants of the state. The study is a descriptive analysis of the policy framework of solid waste management practice and its implications for human security in Ekiti State. However, there has been a series of inclusive frameworks aimed at curtailing waste disposal. The policies have backslide with a lack of enforceable capability and inadequate physical and technological infrastructure to propel necessary changes to waste reuse in the country. The study adopted a survey design by the administration of one thousand respondents from Ado Ekiti residents. Ado Ekiti has one Local Government Area and three Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Respondents were selected purposively based on the four stratifications of Ado Ekiti. Two hundred and fifty copies of the questionnaire were administered in each of the four strata with a total of one thousand copies of the questionnaire retrieved for analysis. This study underpinned infrastructure, poverty, adherent to pit dumping and ignorance as challenges of waste disposal in the state. The findings revealed the poor policy on polluter day principle, biodegrade products and the need to build synergy between waste management and friendly environment. This study recommends among other, the need to integrate waste as a succour emergency to prevent epidemics.