Rivers generally have been source of livelihood for several persons in both developed and developing countries, and the rivers have been exploited without recourse to the consequences of this action by those involved. The aim of this research is to assess the social and economic consequences of sand mining on communities along the Victory River. The objectives are to: examine residents' perception, identify the impacts of sand mining in their domain and propose mitigation measures for moderate and major negative impacts and enhancement measures for positive impacts of sand mining. Hazards and effects management process (HEMP) was used identify the impacts of sand mining on the communities and propose mitigation measures for moderate and major negative impacts and enhancement measures for positive ones. The study adopted multistage sampling technique by identifying all the communities along the Victory River and purposively four (4) communities were selected for the study. Mixed methods were used to collect data with one-hundred and twenty-three (123) structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The study found that continuous river sand mining had altered the river courses and increased the width and depth of the Victory River. Livelihood chain of the people have been distorted leading to diminished purchasing power, increased poverty level and other associated Original Research Article
The housing stock in Port Harcourt municipality has over the years experienced incremental deterioration from neglect to change of use, paucity of funds and sometimes misappropriation of resources. The study assessed existing housing stock within Port Harcourt municipality with the objective to ascertain the physical condition of the housing stock in some planned and unplanned neighbourhoods in Orije layout-Orominike (D/Line), Port Harcourt Township and Diobu (Mile1 and Mile 2) and some waterfront settlements. Twenty-five (25) communities were identified from the entire study area. Some indicators such as habitable space, physical condition, availability of basic social infrastructure and services and environmental quality of the housing unit were measured. The sample was drawn purposively as 4 distinct neighbourhoods were studied. A multi-stage sampling technique was deployed, Taro Yamane formula was applied to determine the sample size of 156, as the number of questionnaires to be administered and stratified simple random sampling technique was employed to select respondents with household 5 persons per household of which 148 questionnaires were retrieved. Data from the field were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), aimed at comparing the nature of substandard housing found across the neighbourhoods studied. The result indicates that the housing stock in the indigenous enclaves within the Diobu neighbourhood has a high occupancy ratio and lacked basic public utilities and services in addition to houses being constructed with substandard materials. Residents often experience periodic flooding after rainfalls. The study recommends that to further improve the standard of housing conditions in line with the global UN standards, the provision of basic social infrastructural services alongside periodic and consistent urban renewal processes should be constantly carried out to reduce the housing deficit within the municipality.
Community participation has been identified as effective driver of rural development in emerging economies while community development committees (CDCs) are key players in implementing rural development programmes in communities. The study aims at assessing the level of participation of communities and community development committees in the provision of public infrastructure in selected communities of Abua/Odual Local Government Area in Rivers. The objectives are to: identify existing mechanism for public participation in rural development process; ascertain the nature and extent of participation in rural development, ascertain the participation level of Community Development Committee (CDC) in implementation of development projects. A cross-sectional study that engaged multistage sampling technique was adopted. Primary and secondary data were collected, analysed and represented with charts, percentages and tables. One hundred (100) respondents were purposively drawn from Otari, Odaga and Omalem communities and stratified sampling was applied to administer questionnaire, only heads of households and members of community development committees formed the respondents. The
Water is a basic and necessary requirement for the existence of animals and plants, yet it is limited in supply in several parts of the world. Surges in human population and demand for water for different purposes such as agricultural, domestic and industrial usages are the major factors leading to water scarcity. Nigeria and the study area are blessed with abundant water resources including surface and groundwater, yet there is a palpable lack of adequate and safe potable water. Consequently, the populace resorts to private sources of water supply which has its negative externalities even though the effort seems laudable. Based on the above, the study examined the proliferation of private water supply, its challenges and socio-economic implications in Obio /Akpor local government area. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey, and data were collected with the use of both closed and open-ended questionnaire. It also involved the collection of the private borehole points with the use of a handheld global positioning system (GPS). Data were analyzed using the descriptive method of analysis and data presented in charts and tables. The result of the study showed that there were no specific distances maintained between borehole points, a good number of borehole locations were clustered in some parts of the study area. Also, distances between soakaway pits and borehole points were inadequate in some communities. Based on the prevalent minimum wage in the study area, both households that operate boreholes and those that buy water spent more. Some of the socio-economic implications of private provision of water supply include too much spending on water, creation of livelihoods for water vendors and vulnerability to waterborne disease such as typhoid since there is no minimum standard for borehole drilling and distance in the study area. The study recommended that the government should develop a private borehole drilling standard that would include the minimum distance that must be maintained between two boreholes on vertical and horizontal lines. Also, the activities of the private water vendors should be regulated, and operating license obtained before operating commercial boreholes. The study concluded thus, there should be a synergy between the private and public sector to ensure safe and affordable water supply since their activities cannot be undermined.
Garbage management is an organised and systematic channelling of garbage through the pathway to ensure that they are disposed of with good public health and environmental safety. The study aimed to critically evaluate the garbage collection and disposal in Port Harcourt Municipality to achieve urban sustainability and management. The objectives are to identify the methods of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, evaluate the efficiency of the method of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, identify the challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal in the study area, and identify sustainable physical planning measures for the collection and disposal of garbage in the study area. The study employed a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach and sequential explanatory design. The study employed stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study identified 25 neighbourhoods in the study area and was grouped into three strata using a stratified sampling technique (high, medium, and low densities). 1 neighbourhood in each stratum (density) was selected randomly for sampling, including Diobu, D/Line and Old GRA, respectively. Taro Yamane’s formula was applied, and 100 respondents were selected for sampling using a simple random sampling technique. The study found that most garbage generated in the study area was plastic, metal/can, and paper/cartons stored in plastic bags, containers, and metals. The study revealed that garbage is collected by truck pushers/scavengers and government agencies and disposed of in designated authorised dumping sites, bush and burning. The study found that the strategies employed for garbage collection and disposal are efficient. The challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal from the study include indiscriminate dumping of garbage at unauthorised sites, non-compliance to schedule time for garbage disposal, lack of finance, inadequate human resources, and lack of an operational vehicle. Accordingly, the study recommends that; the waste management agency carry out a periodic survey of garbage collected and disposed of in their area of operation. The government should abolish the open dumpsite method of garbage disposal by households and eliminate indiscriminate dumping of garbage along streets. The waste management agency should ultimately adopt a house-to-house garbage collection in the neighbourhoods to achieve resource recovery and recycling and monitoring team that will ensure strict adherence to garbage collection and disposal regulations.
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