The Perspective of Stakeholders on Waste Management in Nasarawa, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated local stakeholders' perspectives on waste management in Tammah-Nasarawa, Nigeria. Recognising that the government alone cannot manage waste effectively, the study emphasised the need for people’s active involvement. We employed a mixed research approach to gather information from residents and a focus group. The focus group included community leaders, a student union government representative, and officials from the directorates of works, maintenance, and physical planning at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa (FPN), as well as an official from the State Directorate of Environment and Waste Management (SDEWM). Findings confirmed that most residents are off-campus students, with several houses needing toilets and wastebaskets, leading to indiscriminate waste disposal within the neighbourhood and on Polytechnic land. Additionally, residents were willing to cooperate with the government to address waste management issues. The focus group provided workable strategies for managing waste in the study area, forming the basis for developing local guidelines that outline the responsibilities of all parties in achieving a healthy environment. The findings emphasise the importance of involving local stakeholders in waste management to create a livable milieu in Tammah-Nasarawa, Nigeria.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.08