Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practice in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The city of Port Harcourt, an emerging mega city in the Niger Delta, is grappling with                             solid waste management as seen by mountains of refuse in some parts of the city. This study examined solid waste management practice in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study assessed the solid waste management practices in the city through questionnaire administered to households of sampled areas which were Borokiri, Elekahia and Ogbumnuabali. The data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistical tables and multiple bar charts. Most residents dump their refuse by the road side, at common communal storage or via collection vehicles daily or at most once in two weeks. Waste management agency and contractors operate in the city but open dumping and dumping in water ways still persist. The grading of waste disposal system was considered very bad and unsafe. This study identified poor implementation, enforcement and lack of awareness of the waste management policy as the major problems confronting waste management in Port Harcourt. To attain a desired level of waste management in Port Harcourt, the right steps must be taken to create environmental awareness and implement waste management policies.