ASSESSMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT IN OTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Developing countries such as Nigeria are faced with the challenges associated with municipal solid waste management which of recent has become more pronounced and phenomenon as a result of increase rate urbanization which is not matched with adequate and effective management strategies. This paper assesses the prevailing solid waste management practices in Ota, Ado-Odo Local Government area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected with the aid of questionnaire administration, personal observation, field trips coupled with interviews. Three neighborhoods within the study area were chosen for the purpose of the study and they include Oju-Ore, Iyana-Iyesi and Koro-Otun areas of Ota City. The Estate Surveying and Valuation firms having offices in the town, officials of Ado-Odo Local Government Area, residents were sampled for the study while the major dump sites within the study area were visited for the purpose of collecting first-hand information for the study. The study revealed that solid waste management is mainly being handled by the Local Government, private companies, residents and other informal stakeholders such as scavengers, local collectors, etc. The study further revealed that the mini-landfill sites located at Kurata near State High Premises and Koro-Otun long Itele Road constitute the main means of waste management being used in the study area from where the refuses and wastes are subsequently burnt openly. The study suggests introduction of better method of waste management to the current method of solid waste managements in the city which are considered to be outdated