CHALLENGES OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Solid waste is regarded as unwanted material produced by individuals from various sources including
homes, offices, markets among others which the producer has no use for it and wishes to dispose such
material. The management of solid waste is an important aspect of our lives which when not properly
handled can lead to various health effects and can also lead to a public nuisance or deter the aesthetic of
the environment. The study specifically tried to find out what the problems pertaining to the
transportation and disposal of solid wastes are in Kwara State. A descriptive research design of the
survey type was adopted for the study. Four hundred social workers were systematically selected for this
study. A researcher designed questionnaire was used for data collected and was tested for validity and
reliability. Frequency counts, percentages and bar charts were used in the presentation of the findings.
The study revealed that waste management facilities and equipments that are currently used in managing
solid waste are insufficient (96.3%). It was also revealed that dumpsites are poorly managed (94.3%).
The study concluded that challenges of solid waste management in Kwara State includes insufficient
social workers attached to trucks for collection of waste; waste collection trucks are inadequate and most
of the ones available are below standard and faulty most of the time; dumpsites are poorly coordinated
and some truck drivers are contributing to the problem on ground. It was therefore recommended that
more social workers should be employed; the Government should endeavour to purchase more standard
waste collection trucks, dumpsites should be properly monitored and coordinated and truck drivers
should be educated and properly directed in the disposal of solid waste at dumpsites.