Abstract

Solid waste management is a social, economic and environmental problem facing all traditional African cities. Over the years, there have been concerted efforts made towards adequately solving the problems created by improper waste management and disposal in traditional African cities like Conakry, Ouagadougou, Cairo, Nairobi, Kumasi, Asmara, Kampala, Monrovia, Kigali, Harare, Abidjan, Bamako, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Lagos, and Benin City. This study’ appraises the activity of Edo State Waste Management with particular focus on Benin City being the state capital of Edo State, Nigeria. The objective(s) of this study is to identify types of wastes managed by the authority, describe the attitude and role of residents (household) toward solid waste management, and examine the possible constraints faced by EWMB Benin City in the discharge of their duties. The samples for the study were drawn from the total number of EWMB staff and clients served by the authority. Data were collected from a total of 324 randomly selected households (clients), through a self-administered survey from a frame of 32400, representing 1% of the clients in the study areas. 15% (70) of the staff sampled were drawn from a frame of 610 using SPSS version 21. Results reveal that, majority of the respondents (63.6%) who are staff of the board opined that, the authority lacks inadequate finance, while the majority of the clients (81.4%) expressed willingness to pay for service rendered by the authority, thereby promoting sustainable mitigation and adaptation measures region-wide. The study recommends that, there is the need for proper funding, provision of equipment and facilities for smooth running of the agency, to ensure effective collection and management of waste, diverting waste away from dumpsites and landfills towards reuse, recycling, and recovery, thus improve the livelihoods of thousands of informal waste declaimers, while also creating new jobs and business opportunities for citizens. 

Key Words: Solid waste, Sustainability, Cities, Edo State Waste Management Board, Benin City