ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION AT THE DESTINATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fuelled by rapid population growth as a result of rural-urban drift, urbanization in Nigeria is characterized by city slums with serious environmental consequences. The problem has been described as acute and exemplifies the inability of development measures to keep pace with the rate of population growth. The problem of the disposal of sewage and refuse in particular, has been shown by this research to be quite serious because of the rapid rate of generation of non biodegradable materials, such as plastics. Nigeria and the study area in particular are currently experiencing a significant amount of urban growth. In addition Environmental conditions in the urban areas have greatly deteriorated due to the rural-urban drift and the attendant of social services and infrastructures to keep pace with the rate of growth. Environmental problems associated with the increasing growth of urban slums have also been studied and they include overcrowding in squalid housing conditions, poor quality or unavailability of basic infrastructures and social services, such as water and sewage facilities. The dominance of primitive and out dated sewage disposal facilities in the study area help to illustrate this point. VI