Paragraph 1 <Introduction>

There has been increasing urbanization tendency in most part of the world in the recent times.
This aligns with the postulation that the World urbanization is growing faster than the total world
population (United nation, 2004). It has been estimated that by 2050, the world’s urban
population is expected to almost double from 3.4 billion to 6.3 billion (United Nations, 2009).
Nigeria is located in West Africa between longitude 30 to 140 East and latitude 40 to 140 North
having area of 923,768 sq km (Figure 1). It is the most populated country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It is bounded in the West by the Republic of Benin, South by the Bight of Benin, and East by the
Republic of Chad and Cameroon and to the North by Niger Republic. Nigeria has a continuous
growing population that is tending towards 190 million people in the recent time. The current
United Nation’s Data gave its population as 186,988,000 people (UNData, 2016).

Figure 1: Political Map of Nigeria (Source: www.mapsworld.com assessed 17the September,

2016)

Apart from the continuous growing population being witnessed by Nigeria, its urban
communities are growing rapidly since the 1950’s. This continuous drift of people from the rural
communities to the urban societies might have been due to the neglect of the rural communities
from the developmental indices such as potable water, electricity, educational institutions and
provisions of jobs. The trend continues unabated thereby resulting in the continuous growth of
Nigeria urban societies.

Sub-paragraph 1 < Solid Waste in Nigeria Urban>

There is correlation in Nigeria between population, urbanization and solid waste generation. The
national population growth rate for some time now has been lower than the urban growth rate.
Table 1 below depicts the National population growth rate and urban population growth rate
from 1985 to 2004. The table 1 shows that in 1985 in Nigeria, the urban population as percentage
of the total population was 31%, while that of 1990 was 35%, 1995 was 40%, 2000 was 44%,
2002 was 46% and 2004 was 49%.

Table 1: National and Urban Trend for Nigeria 1985-2004

Source: World Bank (various years) in Port Harcourt (2010)

The continuous increase in the population of urban areas such as Awka and Port Harcourt
correspondingly increases the volume of solid waste being generated (Taiwo, 2009, Kofoworola,
2009). Nigeria generates about 3.2 million tons of solid waste annually out of which about 20-
30% is collected while solid waste many at times block sewers and drainage networks and
chokes water bodies. Most of the waste Nigeria generates is from the urban settings whose
population continues to grow since it attracts migrant that rushes into them for jobs and socio-
economic facilities which are absent in the rural areas.
Amber, Kuller and Gukop (2012) in a study on Solid Waste management in Nigeria found that
the average percentage composition of various waste stream from 19 notable urban centers in
Nigeria (they are Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Markurdi, Onitsha, Nsukka,
Abuja, Abeokuta, Ado-Ekiti, Awka, Ibadan, Ilorin, Aba, Uyo, Maiduguri and Warri) shows 43%
organic component, 8% paper/cardboard/plastics and rubber, 26% glass, 3% metals and can, 2%
textiles materials and 2% residue. The authors further reiterated that Nigeria generates 0.44-0.66
kg/capita/day of MSW resulting in a waste density of 200-400 kg/m3 characterised by organic
and inorganic sources.

Sub-paragraph 2 <Analysis of Household waste>

Households are considered major sources of solid waste in comparison to other sources of
generation such as educational and commercial institutions or the municipal (from cleaning of
public places such as streets). In addition to generating a large part of the organic waste
component especially food, households also generate waste such as plastic, glass, metal, paper
and rags, and others which are harmful such as batteries, vehicular parts, , etc. (Magutu &
Onsongo, 2011). Port Harcourt and Awka are one of the most populous states in Nigeria and will
be the focus upon in this study. Waste management in this states, has been problematic and
inefficient due to factors such as inadequate planning, poor legislative policies and funding
issues. About 9000 metric tons of waste is generated per day in the state (Kofoworola, 2007)

Paragraph 2 < Ecological sustainability and Solid Waste Management in Nigeria Urban>

There is need to encourage sustainable solid waste management in Nigeria urban for human
dignity and safety. This could only be done when ecological security is maintained. Ecological
security is averse to diminishing or affecting nature given stock. Hence, the total environmental
components may need to be examined in view of solid waste management process in Port
Harcourt and Awka being the focus.
Sub-Paragraph 1 <existing techniques in waste management in urban parts of Nigeria>

Part 1: Open dump

For many people, the way to dispose of waste is to simply drop it someplace. Open, unregulated
dumps are still the predominant method of waste disposal in most part of Nigeria. The giant
Third World mega cities have enormous garbage problems. Until recently, most of this torrent of
waste was left in giant pits, exposed to the wind and rain, as well as rats, flies and other vermins.
Most developed countries forbid open dumping, at least in metropolitan areas, but illegal
dumping is still a problem (Adindu, 1978). Better enforcement of anti-littering laws as well as a
change in human attitudes and behaviour is necessary for effective waste disposal.

Part 2: Ocean dumping

The oceans are vast but not so large that humans can continue to treat them as carelessly as has
been human habit. Every year, some 25,000 metric tonnes (55 million pounds, lbs) of packaging
and plastic containers are dumped in the sea beaches specifically in the shores of Port Harcourt
and Akwa Ibom. Even remote regions are littered with the non-degradable flotsam and jets of
industrial society.

Part 3: Landfills

Over the past 50 years, most American and European cities have recognized the health and
environmental hazards of open dumps. Increasingly, cities have turned to sanitary landfills,
where solid waste disposal is regulated and controlled. To decrease smells and litter and to
discourage insect and rodent populations, landfill operators are required to compact the refuse
and cover it every day with a layer of dirt. This method helps control rodent population, but the
dirt fill also takes up as much as 20 percent of landfill space. Since 1994, all operating landfills
in Nigeria have been required to control such hazardous substances as oil, chemical compounds,
toxic metals, and contaminated rainwater that seep through piles of waste.

An impermeable clay and/or plastic lining underlies and encloses the liner to catch drainage and
to help monitor chemicals that may be leaking. More careful attention is now paid to the sitting
of new landfills. Sites located on highly permeable or faltered rock formations are passed over in
favour of sites with less leaky geologic foundations. Landfills are being built away from rivers,
lakes, floodplains, and aquifer recharge zones, rather than near them, as was often done in the
past. More care is being given to landfills long-term effects so that costly clean ups and
rehabilitation can be avoided. Historically, landfills have been a convenient and relatively
inexpensive waste disposal option in most places, but this situation is changing rapidly. Rising
land prices and shipping costs as well as increasingly demanding landfill construction and
maintenance requirements are making this a more expensive disposal method (Imam, 2008).
Suitable places for waste disposal are becoming scarce in many areas. Citizens have become
more concerned and vocal about health hazards, as well as aesthetics.

Paragraph 3 < The existing legislation and its compliance >

Paragraph 4 <Research method>

Sub-paragraph 1 < Description of Study Area >

Sub-paragraph 2 < Methodological Framework>

Sub-paragraph 3 < Data Collection and Approach >

Sub-paragraph 4 < Stakeholder Interviews>

Sub-paragraph 5 < Field Observation>

Sub-paragraph 6 < Analysis of data>

Paragraph 5 <Result and findings>

Paragraph 6 <Analysis and Recommendation>

Paragraph 7 <Conclusion>

Paragraph 8 <References>

Paragraph 9 <Appendixes>