Appraisal of the Level of Coordination among Solid Waste Management Agencies in Zaria Urban Area, Kaduna–Nigeria

Abstract

The paper is aimed at determining the level of coordination that exists among the different agencies that are involved in solid waste management in Zaria Urban area. Structured questionnaire and literature review were used to obtain data and information on the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in solid waste management as well as the nature of inter-agency relationship in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 13 representatives of the Solid Waste Management agencies. Methods of data analysis employed for the research were the descriptive statistics (frequency analysis, percentage distribution, mean scores, grand mean scores and content analysis) for both government agencies and formal private waste collectors. The two points ordinal scale 1 representing yes and 2 representing no was employed for obtaining information on inter-agency relationships while the multiple options likert scale format was used for obtaining information on the level of coordination that exists among the different agencies, using such indicators as collaboration, consultation and information exchange. The multiple options likert scale questions type was also used to obtain information on effects of absence of a well-coordinated solid waste management system within the study area. The results of the analysis of the indicators of coordination using the two points ordinal scale on inter-agency relationship and other indicators, that is collaboration, consultation and information exchange also signified inefficient coordination among the agencies. The paper recommended among others that, there is need to prepare a well-coordinated and common solid waste management plan for common implementation by all stakeholders, which will guide policy formulation and coordinate all urban solid waste management issues within the urban area and also information exchange should be improved by providing effective means of communication among the institutions in the areas of public awareness campaigns, regularity of accessibility of the institutions to up to date information from other institutions