Constraints to Waste Management in Kano Metropolis

Sani Lawal Malumfashi Ph.D*

Mustapha Muktar Ph.D**

Yusuf M. Adamu Ph.D***

*Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano-Nigeria.

**Department of Economics, Bayero University Kano-Nigeria.

***Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano-Nigeria.

Constraints to Waste Management in Kano Metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Kano State being an urban area is the largest city in Northern Nigeria with a large volume of solid waste being generated without being properly disposed. The collection and disposal is the responsibility of the State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB). However, the board’s activities are handicapped as heaps of refuse are left uncollected. The paper employed the use of questionnaire, focused group discussion and Key informant interview to study 1015 households in the study area. It was discovered that the frequency of waste collection is slow; by and large the rate of generation is faster than that of collection. To sum up, the activities of the agency responsible for waste management are not efficient, and in most cases waste collection and disposal is being done by voluntary organizations at communal levels. One major recommendation is that waste collection and disposal should be privatized especially in high and middle income areas.

Introduction

One of the major problems facing growing cities in the developing world is that of coping with the wastes generated. Cities are very much battling with the increasing challenges of solid wastes in particular and the battle is seemingly not being won.  An estimated 20kg of solid waste for instance is generated per capita per annum in Nigeria; this is equivalent to 2.2 million tones a year (NEST 1991:23). This means that as population continues to grow and urban areas continue to expand it is expected that more waste would be generated in the country over the years. Cities are centers where industrial productions are concentrated. They are also centers of high consumption and consequently waste generation. One of the visible problems facing most cities in Nigeria is disposing of huge quantities of solid waste that accumulate in urban areas as a result of modernization. Oyaigbevwen (1988) observed that, until very recently, Nigerians had not been much sensitive to solid waste disposal; their concern was only limited to physical removal of waste from the streets. It has been and perhaps is still the common practice in the country to dispose of refuse by the most expedient method available. Such method might be by use of an open dump or by open burning. However, with increase in population and rapid urbanization solid wastes are accumulating faster than residents can find easiest place to put them.

Kano, the largest and most populous city in the Sudan belt of West Africa is not an exception regarding waste management. This is not unexpected given its congested nature and its massive socio–economic activities. The dual nature of Kano, partly traditional and partly modern makes it an interesting place. Whereas the traditional city is enclosed by an ancient wall, the township is more recent, growing from the colonial period. Piles of rubbish in every open space, for instance, characterize many areas in Kano metropolis.  Lack of effective and appropriate ways of waste disposal for the residents render the city of Kano littered. Lewcock (1994) has categorized Kano wastes into street refuse, urban livestock manure, and industrial or semi industrial wastewaters. The sources of street refuse in Kano are households, markets, drainage clearance, and street sweeping. This refuse is mostly found at the side of street, and in both formal and informal landfill dumps.

The large numbers of livestock roaming the street of Kano especially in the traditional sections directly contribute to the huge street refuse in the city. Livestock are the main sources of manure in and around Kano, yet the major proportion of livestock manure is nowadays regarded by householders as a waste and thrown out with the rest of other refuse.    Industries in Kano are also the major sources of liquid and gaseous waste. Baita (1998) noted that of the industries in Kano, tanneries generate more waste. According to him tanneries generate about 9450 metric tons per day. In addition, textile industries generate about 57 metric tones per day, Plastic and allied industries release about 5238 tones per day; food and allied industries produce 4680 metric tons per day; chemical and allied industries produce 1680 tons per day; Construction and related industries generate about 1170 tons per day; foam products 1250 tons per day, and cotton ginneries produce about 40 tons per day. Surface water pollution in Kano is directly associated with the discharge of these offal, domestic and industrial wastes into the main drains and streams around the metropolis.

Over the years, the authorities in Kano have had agencies tasked with the management of municipal wastes as shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Waste Management Agencies in Kano State 1960-2008

S/N	Name of Agency	Year
1	Kano Native Authority	1960 -1969
2	Kano Local Government Authority	1969-1971
3	Kano Metropolitan Planning	1971-1973
4	Kano Ministry of Health	1973-1976
5	Kano Municipal Local Government	1976-1982
6	Kano State Ministry of Housing	1982-1983
7	Ministry of Local Government & Community Development	1983-1985
8	Kano Municipal Council	1985-1986
9	Metropolitan Environmental Sanitation Task Force	1986-1990
10	Kano State Environmental  Planning and Protection Agency (KASEPPA)	1990-1994
11	Refuse Disposal Agency (REDA)	1994-1998
12	Waste Disposal Company (WASCO)	1998-1999
13	Kano State Ministry of Environment	1999-2003
14	Refuse Management And Sanitation Board (REMASAB)	2003-DATE

Source: Karry, 2008

Background to the Study Area

Kano, the largest city of the Sudan region is almost over one thousand years old. The city has been remarkably commercial throughout the centuries. Last (1999) explained that the first settlements were cited near Dala hill, the source of iron, which the inhabitants smelted, and fabricated. Early trade relations went as far place as the Mediterranean Coast, exploring such commodities as fabricated leather and metal works, weaving, embroidery and so on.

From the 11^th century, a city wall was erected by the King of Kano Giji Masu. The wall was expanded three times until 17^th century when the last expansion was made. The city wall marks the traditional city. Prior to the conquest of Kano by the British in 1903, there were few settlements closely located outside the city wall notably Fagge, Gwagwarwa and Bompai. After the colonial conquest, the British established a township outside the city wall making Kano a dual African city where tradition and modernity exist side by side. This gives the city its present image and identity which makes it attract different kinds of people for economic, commercial and industrial activities.

Kano flourished during the colonial period by becoming a major railway town with road networks and an airport. It also becomes a major centre for the trade of agricultural cash crops notably groundnut and cotton. The presence of raw materials, market, transportation networks, capital and labour makes Kano a major industrial centre in Nigeria. All these resulted in a rapid population growth especially through migrations. The city continued to expand and within the last 40 years, Kano has multiplied in population and in size.

Because of their socio-economic relevance, cities particularly in Nigeria became the most attractive centers pulling the poor, the sick, the destitute, and the teeming unemployed rural immigrants.  At the same time, those cities lacked the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the trooping population of rural migrants.  Some poor structures made the garbage generated in the cities more hazardous.  Roadside hawking and trading are very much noticeable in the entire metropolis. In addition, roadside dumping and loitering are very much identical to the culture of the people.

The dump sites are open and uncontrolled and located in the midst of residential areas. In addition, the waste handling behavior of the people itself is risky. They dispose of their waste as cheaply and as quickly as possible without recourse to the hygienic means of doing it.

Methodology

The paper applied survey method to elicit information on the topic. Questionnaires, Key Informant Interview (KII), and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were used as instruments for data collection. The study population included house holds, Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) officials and Environmental Health officers of the Municipal Local Government Area.

Samples were drawn from the high, medium, and low density areas of both the traditional city and township. The population of Kano metropolis according to 2006 census, was 2,163,225. Out of this population, a sample of 1015 adults male (household heads) only was selected. This is by no means discounting the role of women on waste management. Men were however selected because of their culturally ascribed decision power on matters affecting house holdhealth and sanitation. Two hundred and seven (207) from low density and high income Nasarawa G.R.A, Three hundred and seven house hold heads from medium density (Hotoro, Kawaji, and Kabuga) and Five hundreds and one (501) from high population density (Gwagwarwa, Jakara, and Danbazau) areas were sampled. While Director Operation of the State Refuse Management Agency (REMASAB), and six Environmental Health Officers were interviewed, focus Group Discussion was held with house hold heads too

Results and Discussion

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Undoubtedly such demographic variables as age, marital status, and number of children have considerable impact on the life style and perception of self and the environment. Therefore, the size of one’s family could be an interesting variable as regards

Consumption, waste generation and disposal. Table 2, shows the age distribution of the respondents under study.

Table 2: Age Distribution of the Respondents

Age	Frequency	Percentage
25-34 Years	424	41.8
35-44 Years	312	30.7
45-54 Years	146	14.4
55-64 Years	65	6.4
65 and above	68	6.7
Total	1015	100

Source: Field work, 2007.

Table 1 above shows that the respondents are predominantly young. They are largely (41.8%) below 40 years and thus at their prime age of production (agricultural or industrial). They fall within the productive age of the population and are liable to purchase and consume both industrial and agricultural products and consequently generate wastes. It is therefore not unexpected when volumes of wastes are generated by this age group who are typically susceptible to consumerist life style of the urbanites.

Table 3: Marital Status of Respondents

Status	Frequency	Percentage
Single	281	28
Married	734	72
Total	1017	100

            Source: Field Work, 2007.

The fact also that a majority are married as shown in Table 3 above is an indication that the potentials of waste generation is there. Family being a consumption unit in urbanized society is mostly associated with waste production. Already, Lewcock (1994) indicated that house hold is the main source of street refuse in Kano followed by street sweeping, market and drain clearances. Beyond the fact that majority are married, their family size is also of interest to this study because the larger the family size the more likely the waste generated. Table 2 shows the family size of the respondents.

Table 4: Respondents’ Family Size (Number of Children):

Number of Children	Frequency	Percentage
1-4	706	69.6
5-9	190	18.7
9 and above	119	11,7
Total	1015	100

Source: Field Work, 2007.

As shown on table 2 above the respondents largely (69.6%) have 1-4 children. This indicates that their family size is growing. Waste generation at macro level is associated with the size and economic strength of a population while at house hold (micro) level waste generation could be a function of the size of the family. This suggests that because majority of the residents in metropolitan Kano are married and have many children, and (therefore large enough to produce high quantity of waste), the problem of managing Kano waste could be among other things related to dense population of the metropolis.

Mechanisms for Solid Waste Management in Kano

Waste management system implies the methods and or mechanisms applied in managing wastes. Cities around the world use various methods for the management of wastes. Some of these methods are incineration, sanitary land fill, grinding, composting, source reduction, recycling, and waste sorting. Like in other cities, residents in Kano use various methods as shown on Table 5.

Table 5: Main Mechanisms for Managing Solid Waste in Kano

Mechanism	Frequency	Percentage
Street Sweeping and land filling	395	38.9
Street Sweeping and Incineration	228	22.5
Source reduction and recycling	66	6.5
Waste sorting and recycling	24	2.4
A to C only	302	29.8
Total	1015	100

Source: Field Work, 2007

Table 5: above shows that street sweeping and land filling are the main mechanisms for managing solid waste in metropolitan Kano as attested by 38.9% of the respondents. This indicates that other advanced mechanisms such as source reduction and recycling, waste sorting and recycling are not commonly practiced. The street sweeping and land filling is itself ineffective. According to the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board’s (REMASAB) official:

The board employs the mechanism of collection and disposal of solid wastes at the following dump sites: Maimalari, Bompai, Hajj Camp, Gyagyadi, Dala, and B.U.K Road but the mechanism is not effective when we consider the amount of solid waste generated in urban Kano. The board itself is not satisfied with the present day situation due to lack of enough funds for personnel and equipments.

The above finding justifies that the Board responsible for the management of waste is unsatisfied with the mechanism employed.

Ordinarily resident use a simple mechanism in managing their wastes, it means that their wastes must be gathered in a central place which would latter be evacuated by the metropolitan authority. The metropolitan waste authority employs two major mechanisms in waste management as revealed in Table 5.

Table 6: Waste Collection System Used by the Authority in the Metropolis

Collection Systems	Frequency	Percentage
House to House Collection	168	16.6
Communal Collection	847	83.4
Total	1015	100

Source: Field Work, 2007

The finding reveals that the common waste collection system is the communal collection. According to the REMASAB’s official:

A total of 2,732 tones of (known) of waste are accumulated daily in metropolitan Kano and the board is able to evacuate 800 tones from the total accumulated on a daily basis at full capacity.

This implies that the amount of waste collected or cleared everyday (800 tones) is less than the amount generated (2,732 tones).The problem of waste collection as indicated above is alarming and therefore, needs an urgent attention. This further explains the ineffectiveness of the collection system. However, some noticeable problems are further compounding the ineffective collection system. For example, most locations in especially the city are inaccessible for waste collection or ambulance services. This means that even when facilities are available they could not be effectively used in that obscure location; and as a result the waste may accumulate for long. Thus, besides ineffectiveness in relation to capacity and shortage of personnel, there is also structural problem as some locations especially in the wall city are difficult to access by waste clearing van.

              Table 7: Frequency of Waste Collection

Frequency of Collection	Frequency	Percentage
Daily	130	12.8
Weekly	400	39.4
Monthly	485	47.8
Total	1015

Source: Field Work 2007

Table 7 above indicate that 47.8% of the respondents are of the view that the communal collection method is on monthly basis. This is not surprising given the limited number of the collectors and insufficient facilities vis-à-vis the size of metropolitan Kano and the volume of waste generated. According to the respondent in REMASAB:

REMASAB has a total of 132 regular staff including the recently posted Environmental Health Officers from the Ministry of Health, and 3508 casual workers (collectors) for the function of the Board

This work force is grossly inadequate for effective collection service. Therefore it is possible for waste to be accumulated in an area for months without being cleared. This of course endangers health. Again, the result of the FGD confirmed this same problem. According to one of the discussants:

They (collectors) have no regular schedule; they only come when contacted by the community. We invite them when ever we had communal work on waste clearance.

This finding is consistent with Muktar (1996) study of Kano waste management. The situation however is not similar with high income residential area. Households in the high income areas that utilizes the service of private collectors. According to one of the residents:

We go for private on virtually everything: private security, private waste collectors, private generator, and private school for our children; just everything .So we get the services efficiently because we pay.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Kano metropolis being an urban centre generates more solid waste than it can dispose. The problems of solid wastes have been so alarming that it sometimes block drainages, roads and causes flooding. It has been observed that the agency responsible for the collection and disposal of the generated waste is not efficient. This is as a result of the constraints of finance and working materials( REMASAB, 2007)  The effort of the agency is however being supplemented by Community Based Organizations (CBOs) at communal level, and where this happens the garbage is at best evacuated from the residential areas and deposited in open landfills, ponds or openly. This implies that there is no effective waste management option in Kano Metropolis.

Based on the findings of the paper it is recommended that there is the need for Kano state government to increase the involvement of private sector in the collection and disposal of waste within the metropolis. The privatization of the waste collection is likely to be more successful in high and middle income areas of the study area since that entails payment of some stipend in return.   The Community Based Organizations should also be supported and encouraged by the State Government. This is because their activities are found to be contributing significantly towards the collection and disposal of waste.

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