A STUDY OF PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ABUSE IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined people’s knowledge and practices resulting in environmental abuse in Ibadan metropolis. The population of Ibadan according to 1991 census was one million seven hundred and sixty-six thousand three hundred and ninety one people. Fifty people were interviewed from each of the five major local government in the city using the quota sampling. The study reveals that the knowledge level of most of the respondents as regard the environmental, water and air pollution is high but their environmental practices are unhealthy. The study also shows that poor environmental practices are prevalent amongst the aged (over 55 years) compared with respondents from ages 10-55. In addition, the study reveals a kind of lackadaisical attitude on the part of some local government officials, towards the cleanliness of their local government. In view of the findings the following recommendations are made, amongst other things: enlightenment programmes should be organized to encourage sorting of solid waste at source; both Eleyele, and Asejire, dams should be channeled and widened in such a way that the dams would supply enough water to the people of the city throughout the year; and incriminate burning of refuse in different part of the metropolis should be banned. Rather, people should be encouraged to empty their refuse into refuse thanks.