ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This research focuses on community participation in solid waste management in Makurdi, and has been designed to identify a feasible alternative for solid waste management in the areas selected. Makurdi is faced with growing urban environment problems. The research discusses these problems in solid waste management and gives a general description of the community's attempts to establish a partnership approach with local and state government agencies in charge of waste management in Makurdi. The research was largely based on data gathered through field reconnaissance survey, secondary sources and the use of questionnaire that was administered on selected households to ascertain the magnitude of the problem. The research showed that environmental problems were caused by the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste in gutters, streets, open spaces etc and non utilization of specified waste dumps, which makes the environment unhygienic and unhealthy, it also showed a lack of community participation or an unwillingness by the community to participate/contribute to the management of solid waste in the areas. The research recommends that the efforts of government agencies in charge of solid waste should focus on participatory approaches to improve the prevailing conditions and share, decision making and management processes with neighbourhoods, groups and organisations at the grassroots level in Makurdi. Also, private agents/agencies be encouraged to play active roles also in participatory, decision making and management processes. The results of this research will be useful to those concerned with the volume of solid wastes in our cities and the need to involve all stakeholders to finding or identifying practical and realistic approaches to addressing the problem.