Strategies for the management of environmental hazards: implications for sustainable healthy living in Calabar Urban, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was designed to asses the strategies adopted in the management of environmental hazards in Calabar urban. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the strategies adopted by the government to promote environmental management consciousness and prevention of environmental hazards as well as the role of the residents on environmental hazards prevention. Calabar urban comprises of two local government areas which include; Calabar municipality and Calabar south. A total of one hundred and twenty respondents were randomly selected from the study area. Also interview were conducted on staff of the ministry of environment, Calabar Urban Development Agency (CUDA) and Cross River Waste Management Agency (CRWMA). A structured questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used to collect data for the study. Data for the study were analyzed using simple statistical tools such as frequency distribution tables and percentages. The results revealed that certain strategies were adopted by both government and agencies in reaching people with information on environmental issues. Some of the strategies include distribution of waste disposal materials (75%), use of radio, television jingles (60%), provision of designated dumping sites, daily sweeping and excavating of waste were identified as the most important strategies for prevention and management of environmental hazards. The study therefore recommended that government should extend its environmental management programmes beyond certain areas in Calabar urban to other remote streets in Calabar urban through the provision of accessible roads and good drainage channels to ensure effective environmental hazards prevention. Also that awareness campaigns should be increased to enlighten the public of their role in the prevention of environmental hazards, and environmental education be included in the curriculum of secondary schools to inculcate good environmental management attitude among young people. Keywords: Environmental hazards and sustainable healthy living