Location-Efficiency of Waste Collection Points Along The Obio/Akpor Stretch of Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Akpotareno, C. O

Location-Efficiency of Waste Collection Points Along The Obio/Akpor Stretch of Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Keywords : Location-efficiency, Wastes collection, Urbanization, Road Median, Receptacle, Spatial Distribution


Abstract

Rapid urbanization growth rate in cities is usually accompanied by rapid urban expansion, high consumption rate and increase in waste generation. The growth of Port Harcourt over time has been phenomenal due mainly to changes in the migration dynamics that is characteristic of the city. This study examined the locational-efficiency of waste collection points along the Obio/Apor Stretch of Ikwerre Road with a view to x-raying if their location met WHO standards. The study adopted the Mix Method Research approach since both quantitative and qualitative data were used. The sample size consists of 399 respondents residing in the different communities in the study area. Interviews were also ranted to staff of Rivers State waste management Agency (RIWAMA) and refuse contractors while analysis was achieved through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). Findings from the research showed that the location of waste collection points in all the communities sampled are not within the WHO approved distance and this may be responsible for the dumping of refuse at road median in the area. The analysis shows the distance of waste collection points from residential buildings were above the WHO minimum distance of 2.0 – 2.2km. On the average the distance of wastes collection points to areas of residence range from 2.3-2.9 km in all sites examined. Analysis of the distance between one waste collection points to another also showed an interesting revelation as the distance between wastes points are well above WHO approved standard. The distance between wastes collection points in the study area ranges from 1.6-to 3.1 km as against the WHO standard of 1.0-1.5km. The study recommends for conscious efforts at ensuring optimal distribution of waste collection points in the study area in line with WHO minimum standard as this is the only way to stop the dumping of waste at road median and avert the negative effects of indiscriminate dumping of waste on the quality of life of residents in the study area.

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