Socio-Economic and Health Impact Assessment (Shia) of Municipal Solid Wastes in the Niger Delta: A Case Study of Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State

The problem posed by improper management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) is becoming alarming. The socio-economic and health impact assessment (SHIA) of MSW was carried out using questionnaires and interviews. Emerging results shows that out of 400 questionnaires were dispatched of which only 95.75% (379) were returned. Out of the respondents 42.22% (160) were female, while 57.78% (219) were male, with predominant age bracket in the ranged of 22-45 years. Marital status showed that 41.10% (163) are married, 48.11% are single, while 10.83% (43) are either divorced or separated. Survey of educational status of the respondents indicated 4.99% (17) had no formal education, 7.65% (29) had First School Leaving Certificates, 25.60% (97) had Diploma and NCE, and 19.52% (74) were University Graduates, while 30.61% (116) and 12.14% (46) were postgraduate and Advanced Degrees holders respectively. As at the time of this study US$1=N375, Notwithstanding, 58% of the all respondents are either employed or self-employed. In terms of income earning, 23.93% earn less than N20,000, 29.00% earn between N20,000–N29,999; 21.00% earn between N30,000–N49.999, 15.37% earn between N50,000–N99.999, while 10.83% earn above N100,000. Based on interviews from waste scavenger the most economical viable wastes are scrap metals and plastic/rubber. Unfortunately, there was no reported case of waste segregation, while only 32.75% bag their waste and have proper temporary waste containers, 9.82% throw their waste away, 4.53% bury their waste, 18.40% burn their waste, 34.51% use waste vendors. Predominant vectors associated with the waste are Cockroaches, rats and flies. Based on our finding we therefore urge Government to enact laws that will deter precarious management of waste, encourage waste recycling and segregation as well as provide waste treatment facilities in order to mitigate the adverse impacts posed by MSW streams.