CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background to the Study

Environmental sanitation generally includes the provision of facilities and services for the safe

disposal of waste, the maintenance of hygienic conditions and the prevention of diseases (WHO,

2017). So it is a key public health intervention that is essential for social and economic

development especially in developing countries. This leads to the improvement of health, well-

being and economic productivity and benefits the individual, household and community through

the provision and practice of adequate sanitation, good hygiene and the use of safe water (Mara,

Lane, Scott & Trouba; 2010).

Environmental sanitation is one of the widely known tools with significant contributions towards national

development across the globe. It refers to efforts or activities aimed at developing and maintaining a

clean, safe and pleasant physical environment in all human settlements. It includes the control of aspects

of waste that may lead to the transmission of diseases. This encompasses not just excreta disposal and

management, but also solid waste management, drainage and hygiene behaviour within living

environments. Residents in cities with access to proper environmental sanitation have improved living

conditions, enhanced health and well-being and economic productivity (Mmom and Mmom, 201).

The concept of environmental sanitation entails the control of water supplies, excreta disposal, waste

water disposal, refuse disposal, vectors of disease, housing conditions, food supplies and the safety of the

working environment. In a simple parlance, environmental sanitation is the sum total of activities

embarked upon by people to promote healthy living conditions. Mmom and Mmom opined that effective

environmental sanitation in cities is a function of positive environmental behaviour and availability of

facilities and services. This view is complimented by Daramola (2012), Afon and Faniran (2013) that

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availability of adequate environmental sanitation facilities and enabling environmental sanitation policies

positively influence the achievement of a healthy living environment.

It is a known fact that good practices of environmental sanitation positively improve the health

status of the public in most countries of the world (Anyasoro, 2010). Globally about 2.4 billion

people live under highly unsanitary conditions and have poor hygiene behaviours that increase

their exposure to risks of incidence and spread of infectious diseases (WHO 2013). Daramola

and Olowopokoro (2016) states that globally, poor environmental quality is increasingly

recognized as a major threat to social and economic development and even to human survival.

Environmental sanitation has been a major source of concern to many urban centres of

developing counties that are experiencing increasing rate of pollution. Most of these urban

centres also suffer from inefficient management of the environment and poor environmental

planning. A clean environment is an important component of biodiversity that provides human

beings with basic needs necessary for survival. This is because the environment consists of total

set of influences or circumstances that surround and affect an individual or community, which

include physical or natural condition and socioeconomic features (Keller,1972). Maigari (2002)

argued that an environment consists of three basic components, including physical environment,

biological and the social environments. Thus, an environment has to be safeguarded to protect

the health of its residents. It is evidently clear that a strong and healthy workforce build up a

strong and healthy nation, therefore the health condition of any nation determines the progress it

makes. Moreover, an environment that is populated with unhealthy people can be named as an

unhealthy nation, which leads to low productivity and backwardness (Blackburn, et al., 2004;

Woodward, et al., 2005). On the other hand, a clean environment produces a nation of healthy

people who are productive and that can bring speedy development. Environmental sanitation has

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presented a serious challenge to many developing countries, especially in urban centres of

countries like Nigeria. The urban centres have been recording rapid population growth and there

has not been a corresponding increase in the provision of critical urban infrastructure and

services such as water supply, sewage and waste collection and disposal facilities that are

necessary for enhancing good and sustainable environmental sanitation practices. The

Government in Nigeria has recognized that a pleasant environment that is free from all

environmental hazards and that promotes healthy living is a fundamental right of all Nigerians.

This is coupled with the appreciation of the fact that the problems of poor environmental

sanitation can endanger higher productivity and limits national consciousness on the need to

have a judicious and sustainable management of the Nigeria environment. To achieve this, the

resort has notably been to engage in environmental sanitation exercise, its effectiveness is based

on legislation and monitoring compliance and its sustainability is a function of various changes

in policy formulation (Babalola, 2000). On the other hand, sanitation in cities tends to be directed

to the prevention or control of epidemics; for a city a single defect may endanger the health of

thousands of people. In modern cities, serious epidemics such as cholera and typhoid fever,

borne by contaminated drinking water, are things of the past. On the other hand, there are still

centres of population where water-borne epidemics occur, and the World Health Organization

(WHO) has been concerned with these problems. Furthermore, poor environmental sanitation in

different locations is attributed to a number of factors including lack of awareness, improper

planning, poor funding and poor implementation of sanitation programmes by different agencies

and the absence of clear-cut National Policy on sanitation (FMWR, 2004). Environmental

sanitation is one of the activities that ensure clean and safe environment for urban and rural

residents. It is the principle and practice of effecting healthy and hygienic conditions in the

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environment to promote public health and welfare, improve quality of life, and ensure a

sustainable environment (Alabi, 2010; Nabegu, 2010, Abdu, et al., 2017). Improvement of the

quality of environment through effective sanitation is important for the quality of life and

wellbeing of urban residents in Nigeria. Kano is one of the urban centres in the country that

needs effective environmental sanitation because an estimated 325,319 Kg of wastes are

generated on daily basis by residential areas in the metropolis (Maigari, 2014). Olaniyi and

Ayomaya (2014) asserts that Poor environmental sanitation practices exhibited in the disposal of

solid waste, wastewater and excreta, cleaning of drainage including personal, household and

community hygiene significantly contribute to infant and child mortality. It has been documented

that about 24% of global diseases with high mortality ratio are caused by environmental

exposures which can be averted (Daramola & Olowoporoko, 2016). Kano metropolis like similar

cities in developing countries is expanding rapidly due to urbanization leading to increased solid

waste generation and is also, characterized by lack of infrastructure, which in turn has caused

increased problems concerning the management of solid waste (Nabegu, 2008). Environmental

sanitation could be seen as the efforts or activities aimed at maintaining a clean, safe and

pleasant physical environment through water supply, excreta and wastewater disposal, solid

waste disposal, and ensuring the safety of the environment in all human settlements towards the

promotion of social, economic and physical well-being of all sections of the population (WHO,

2015).

Deposition of faecal matter near homes, contamination of sources of drinking water, poorly

designed sewage system, dumping of refuse and sweeping into the gutters, defecating and

disposing of faeces by the street corners and waterways as well as selling of food stuffs and

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cooked food by the road side are all harmful practices that pose potential risk to the development

of diseases (Mohammed, 2018).

Huge amount of waste are generated on daily basis from domestic and commercial activities in

Kano metropolis. The system of collecting, transporting and disposing of these wastes are not

effective this lead to the proliferation of diseases, rats and other rodents are also found. Refuse

Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) is the body saddled with responsibility of

refuse collection and disposal but several locations in Kano metropolis are not accessible

because of the nature of building and narrow streets and some places are not served with refuse

collection containers, and people reckless attitudes toward environmental sanitation. As a result

of this people are disposing their waste indiscriminately. This make Kano metropolis to look

somehow unattractive and unpleasant. The metropolis have open drainage system, narrow and

shallow trenches which can be block easily, thereby producing unpleasant odour, pothole in the

street, pools of the stagnant water, and waste gushing from bathroom and kitchen give way for

breeding of malarial mosquitoes and other related diseases which affect the health and wellbeing

of the residents (Geoffrey, 2005).

In Kano metropolis, as it is in most cities in the developing world, several tons of municipal

solid waste is left uncollected on the streets on daily basis , blocking drains, creating favourable

feeding ground for pests that spread disease and creating a myriad of related health and

infrastructural problems. A substantial part of the urban residents in the old city and suburban

informal settlements of Kano metropolis also have little or no access to solid waste collection

services. This is due to lack of proper land use planning which resulted in the creation of

informal settlements with narrow streets that make it difficult for collection trucks to reach many

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areas. The result is that a large portion of the population is left without access to solid waste

management making them particularly vulnerable (Nabegu, 2008).

The quality of environment is essential for health of both adults and children. WHO (2013) affirmed that

more than 2.4 billion people in the world currently lack access to adequate environmental sanitation and

are forced to dispose their excreta in unimproved and unsanitary conditions. Majority of these people are

found in Africa and other developing countries of the world. Ekong (2015) opined that environmental

sanitation problems are responsible for about 30% of the burden of diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Environmental sanitation problems are behavioural man-made environmental hazards which emanates

from living environment. Disaster from environmental sanitation problems affects resident’s health,

structure, environmental resources and national and household economic assets. These problems are made

more acute in these parts of the world as a result of rapid urbanization and uncontrolled population

growth, without commensurate expansion in sanitary facilities.

According to Abdu, Bichi, Umar and Ado (2019) Environmental conditions are appalling in many

Nigerian cities, the deplorable and dehumanizing conditions of physical environment calls for sober

reflections from all stakeholders. The impacts of poor environmental sanitation situations are severe on

Nigeria thus hindering and undermining its development. In Nigeria, adequate environmental sanitation

has not been strictly adhered to. Its practices in the country are characterized by lack of basic amenities

and poor sanitation behaviour thus having serious consequences for health on citizens. The living

environment in the country is well polluted owing to social misdemeanour of citizens. These scenarios

have in turn become a recipe for disaster in urban centres.

Based on the above, the Kano State government declared the last Saturday of every month as

Environmental Sanitation Day in 2011and the exercise starts from 6:00am to 10:00am. It further

made it compulsory for everybody to remain at home and clean his/her residence and

surroundings. The policy is being monitored and enforced by the officials of the Ministry of

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Environment and defaulters are usually prosecuted and fined by a Mobile Court constituted for

that purposes. However, since the declaration of the Environmental Sanitation exercise, there has

been little or no appreciable result on the sanitation situation in the metropolis. Consequently,

many questions were raised on why the policy has not achieved the desired impact. There have

been different views expressed by urban residents speculating reasons for this, some of the views

point out the approach adopted by the government as compelling and therefore restricting

peoples’ movement while others view it from the negative perception of the policy by urban

residents. Therefore, it is against background the study will attempt to assess resident compliance

and challenges of month’s end environmental sanitation in Kano Metropolis ( Abdu, Bichi, Umar

and Ado 2019).

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Improvement of the quality of environment through effective sanitation is important for the

quality of life and wellbeing of residents in Nigeria. Kano is one of the urban centres in the

country that needs effective environmental sanitation because an estimated 325,319 Kg of wastes

are generated on daily basis by residential areas in the metropolis (Maigari, 2014). The failure of

the numerous efforts to address the problem of environmental sanitation has been attributed to various

factors. Prominent among these are: unhealthy socio-cultural practices; poor Environmental Sanitation

education and awareness; low literacy level; bad governance over the years; disregard for the rule of law

and other forms of indiscipline (Agagu, 2009).

Waste management is at the lowest ebb in most towns and communities. Most parts of the city centres do

not benefit from public waste disposal services and therefore, have to bury or burn their waste or dispose

it haphazardly. In most cities like Kano and other urban centres, refuse heaps are left unattended and

where the Government Authorities do the collection, it is often irregular and sporadic. The recycling of

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waste is negligible while methods of storage, collection, transportation, compaction and final disposal are

very unsatisfactory (Ladan, 2015).

The alarming rate at which heaps of solid waste continue to occupy our cities, coupled with the fact that

87% of Nigerians use disposal methods adjudged as insanitary, has not only constituted visual blight and

odour nuisance, but also encouraged the breeding of rodents, mosquitoes and other pests of public health

importance, with attendant disease outbreaks (Oyekan & Sulyman, 2015).

Furthermore, some of the waste materials are toxic; others are either non-biodegradable or not readily

degradable such as “pure water” sachets and polythene shopping bags (Akinro, 2012, et al,). Also

included are various types of industrial/chemical waste that can contaminate soil and ground water

sources if not properly disposed. Other major concern is the generation of waste from health care

institutions/facilities, which contain infectious/hazardous materials that pose potential hazards to human

and environmental health when improperly disposed. The improper handling and disposal of medical

waste is a major threat to refuse collectors and scavengers and can result in infections such as HIV/AIDS,

hepatitis, tetanus, excetera (WHO, 2017).

Based on the above, the Kano State government declared the last Saturday of every month as

Environmental Sanitation Day in 2011and the exercise starts from 7:00am to 10:00am. It further

made it compulsory for everybody to remain at home and clean his/her residence and

surroundings. The policy is being monitored and enforced by the officials of the Ministry of

Environment and defaulters are usually prosecuted and fined by a Mobile Court constituted for

that purposes. However, since the declaration of the Environmental Sanitation exercise, there

seems to be little or no appreciable result on the sanitation situation in the metropolis.

Consequently, many questions were raised on why the policy has not achieved the desired

impact. There have been different views expressed by residents speculating reasons for this,

some of the views point out the approach adopted by the government as compelling and

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therefore restricting peoples’ movement while others view it from the non-compliance of

residents toward months end environmental sanitation.

Based on the observation of the researcher, residents’ seems not to comply with the movement

restriction during the months end environmental sanitation. The researcher also observed that

most communities in Kano metropolis are littered with domestic wastes, solid waste, animal and

human excreta etc. while sewage flows directly into open streets and nearby water bodies thus

fouling the environment and attracting disease vectors, deposition of faecal matter near homes,

poorly designed sewage system, dumping of refuse and sweeping into gutters, defecating and

disposing of faeces by street corners and water ways which are harmful practices that pose

potential risk to the development of diseases . The ineffectiveness of this legislation/agency to

ensure a healthy environment in Kano State could be traced to the laxity of the government and

lack of political will. Others include overlapping of functions, inadequate funding and

inadequacies of environmental sanitation facilities, services and personnel. Despite the efforts of

government in the provision of this facilities and services, the level of environmental sanitation

in Kano metropolis seems to be worrisome. This inspired the researcher to investigate on the

residence compliance and challenges of month end environmental sanitation in Kano Metropolis.

Therefore this study will attempt to answer the following research questions:

1. Do residents of Kano metropolis comply with month’s end environmental sanitation?

2. What are the challenges facing month’s end environmental sanitation in Kano metropolis?

3. What are the attitudes of residence towards month’s end environmental sanitation in Kano

Metropolis?

4. What are the activities undertaken by residence during month’s end environmental sanitation

in Kano Metropolis?

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5. What are the reasons for non-participation in month’s end environmental sanitation among

residents of Kano Metropolis?

6. What is the effectiveness of month’s end environmental sanitation among residents of Kano

Metropolis?

7. What are the factors influencing level of compliance of month’s end environmental sanitation

among residents of Kano Metropolis?

8. What are the measures needed to enhance compliance of month’s end environmental

sanitation among residents of Kano Metropolis?

1.2 Hypotheses

The following hypotheses are formulated to guide the conduct of the study;

Major Hypothesis:

1. There is no significant compliance of month’s end environmental sanitation among residents

of Kano Metropolis.

2. There are no significant challenges facing month’s end environmental sanitation among

residents of Kano Metropolis.

Sub – Hypothesis

1. There are no significant attitudes towards month’s end environmental sanitation among

residents of Kano Metropolis.

2. There are no significant activities undertaken during month’s end environmental sanitation

among residents of Kano Metropolis.

3. There are no significant reasons for non-participation in month’s end environmental

sanitation among residents of Kano Metropolis.

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4. There is no significant effectiveness in month’s end environmental sanitation among

residents of Kano Metropolis.

5. There are no significant factors influencing level of compliance of month’s end

environmental sanitation among residents of Kano Metropolis.

6. There are no significant measures to enhance compliance of month’s end environmental

sanitation among residents of Kano Metropolis.

7. There are no significant differences on compliance of month’s end environmental sanitation

among residents of Kano Metropolis base on educational level.

8. There are no significant differences on compliance of month’s end environmental sanitation

among residents of Kano Metropolis base on gender.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate resident compliance and challenges of month’s end

environmental sanitation in Kano Metropolis with a view to encourage residents to be

participating promptly in the month’s end environmental sanitation in Kano metropolis.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will be of benefit in the following ways;

1. The study will explore appropriate strategies and recommendations to residents in order to

facilitate good compliance to month’s end environmental sanitation in Kano metropolis by

providing information on the benefits of months end environmental sanitation to their health.

2. This study will serve as a reference point to the Kano State Refuse Management and

Sanitation Board (REMASAB) and other concerned bodies for sustainable development of

month’s end environmental sanitation program in Kano metropolis by providing information

on how they have performed so that possible modifications can be made where necessary.

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 The study will not only provide information on the challenges hindering the effective

discharge of their functions, but it will also suggest ways these challenges can be minimized

for effective implementation to be achieved.

3. The community leaders will also benefit from this study since they are part of the driving

force in developmental programmes. The study will give them information to know what

they are expected to do in monitoring and supervising various components of the community

to ensure their compliance to environmental policies in order to help REMASAB function

better.

4. The research findings will also serve as reference materials to the intended researchers who

wish to carry out further research on the topic by providing literature. Aspects of this study

can be adopted by researchers to generate new ideas or review existing data on month’s end

environmental sanitation, making it more relevant and current.

1.6 Delimitation of the Study

This study will be delimited to residents’ compliance and challenges of months end

environmental sanitation in Kano Metropolis. It will also be delimited to the residents of Kano

metropolis and some selected local government areas within Kano State Metropolis. The study

will further be delimited to compliance and challenges to month’s end environmental sanitation

in Kano Metropolis with respect to attitudes, activities undertaken, reasons for non-participation,

effectiveness and factors influencing level of compliance as well as measures to enhance

compliance of month’s end environmental sanitation among residents of Kano Metropolis.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

It will be stated after conducting the study.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

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The following terms will be operationally defined as used in this study:

Compliance to Month’s End Environmental Sanitation: refers to the ability of the residents in

Kano metropolis to partake in the month’s end environmental sanitation exercise.

Challenges Of month’s End Environmental Sanitation: refers to the constraints, obstacles or

problems that make to month’s end environmental sanitation difficult to residents of Kano

Metropolis on months end environmental sanitation.

Month’s End Environmental Sanitation: is the restriction of resident’s movement in Kano

metropolis from 07:00am to 10:00am on the last Saturdays of every month for the purpose of

observing environmental sanitation.

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