Assessment of the Implementation of Environmental Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Policy In the Federal Capital Territory

ABSTRACT

Waste generation and management in Nigeria have become one of the difficult environmental problems to handle. Ahuja the Federal Capital Territory to not left out of the scenario and this could be attributed to low or inadequate provision of effective facilities for sanitation and solid waste management services. The study focuses on assessing the Environmental Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Policy in the FCT-Abuja. Data were collected from the households, scavengers, dumpsite attendants, relevant government agency and solid waste management firms. Findings shows that factors such as lack of awareness on the need and benefit of proper solid waste management, irregular solid waste co flection by the agency concerned, inadequate designated temporary and permanent dumpsites, and lack of considering sorting of solid waste as major responsibility of the waste collection agency are responsible for poor sanitation and solid waste management in the FCT-Abuja. The study concludes with recommendation that Ahuja Environmental Protection Board and the Private Environmental Protection Agency must show sincere commitment to effective environmental sanitation and solid waste management, intensify public enlightenment campaign and more effort be made to sensitize and aid the entire communities and households in the Federal Capital Territory in proper waste disposal, sorting, collection, reusing and recycling obligation. Collected solid wastes should be regularly evacuated, and improved temporary dumpsite located where people are able to use easily, at least with considerable maximum walking distance.