Site Suitability Analysis of Solid Waste Disposal in Aba South L.G.A, Abia State, Nigeria Using Geospatial Technology

Abstract

Solid waste disposal is an important part of waste management system, which requires much attention to avoid environmental pollution and health problems. This study was aimed at carrying out site suitability for solid wastes disposal in Aba South LGA using geospatial techniques with the specific objectives of: identifying the spatial distribution of solid waste bin points in Aba South LGA, investigating the existing methods of solid wastes disposal and performing suitability analysis of solid wastes using the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) 2005 guidelines. To achieve this, the field surveys were carried out to obtain the coordinate points of waste bins in the study area using the Extrex 10 Handheld GPS receiver. Geospatial techniques were used in carrying out site suitability analysis to determine and propose suitable sites for solid waste dumping. The ArcGIS 10.2 was used to carryout suitability analysis using buffer and overlay analysis. Results showed that there about thirty five (35) waste bins distributed within the commercials areas in Aba South LGA. These waste bins are concentrated around Enugu-Port-Harcourt Road and Port-Harcourt Roads. Enugu-Port-Harcourt has about six (6) waste bins while Port-Harcourt has two and Azikiwe Road have three (3) and two (2) waste bins respectively. From the overlay and multi-criteria analysis, a total of four (4) suitable sites were identified in Aba South LGA. Two suitable sites were found along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway with an area of 6.234 and 2.757 Hectares respectively while along Asa-Nnentu Road two (2) suites were equally identified with an area of 6.325 and 1.440 Hectares respectively. This brings to the suitable sites to a total area of 16.756 hectares and a 0.14% of the total landmass of Aba South LGA. This study recommends that: Solid waste bin should be well distributed with Aba South LGA to reduce the menace of improper waste disposal along major roads and streets in the city, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) should ensure timely and regular disposal of solid wastes from waste bin collection points and there should be regular sensitization by the relevant bodies on the environmental and health implications of improper solid waste disposal.