Health Impact Assessment of Community-based Solid Waste Management Facilities in Ilorin West Local Government Area,Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adverse inter-relationships between man and his environment has been the main cause of disequilibrium, which usually results in negative effects to man himself, his environment and his survival as epitomized by the current global climate change phenomenon. This study applied the concept of Health Impact Assessment (HIA), an evolution of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to predict the health impact of the proposed community-based solid waste management facility in Ilorin metropolis; which is a part of the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDG) Health and Environmental Sustainability Projects (Goals 4-7). Through systematic sampling methods data was collected from four administrative wards in the metropolis for this work. Using The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners’ (NITP) guidelines on impact assessment, the study was able to discover that there are many benefits derivable from the proposed project, however, there can be negative impacts too even if the Environmental Management Plan and project operational guidelines are strictly adhered to. This gives the need for overall assessment of such projects as against the practice of benefit analysis usually embarked upon by proponents of such investments. The analysis of data was done using simple arithmetic percentages and graphs. The study further suggested different participatory approaches in establishing the sustainability of projects.