Transcript 371. Wachukwu - International Association for Impact Assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FORESHORE PROTECTION IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT #: 371
BY
WACHUKWU, CONFIDENCE KINIKANWO (Ph.D)
E.MAIL: [email protected]
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES, RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NKPOLU-OROWUROKWO, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA.
BEING A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IMPACT
ASSESSMENT (IAIA) CONFERENCE IN SEOUL-KOREA
BETWEEN 3 – 9TH JUNE 2007.
ABSTRACT
Human health has always been dependent on our relationship with our environment.
Every sane human being desires to be healthy but good health can be elusive especially
when we fail to mind our actions on the environment. This is because poor, filthy and
putrid environment can affect the health of the individual and result in subsequent
death. The health implication of communities are constantly ravaged by cholera
outbreaks, malaria and other related diseases. This study focuses on the need for both
Government at all levels and individuals to conduct EIA studies on how to protect the
riverine areas of the Niger Delta. It also highlights the natural disaster that may occur if
the seashores are not protected, such as gully erosion and land degradation.
Constructions of foreshore around the communities’ close the ocean will help protect
them from these natural disasters.
KEYWORDS: Foreshore, Environmental degradation, Health Standards,
Effective Enforcement.
*Author For Correspondence.
INTRODUCTION: (AN OVERVIEW)
There have been various ideological perceptions about the location and ecological trend of
the Niger-Delta area in the trail of environmental issues in Nigeria. The Niger-Delta by its
natural ecological location and geographical ideology lies at the southern segment of the
country. The Nigeria Niger-Delta is that area extending from a northern apex situated at
Aboh that is bound on the East by the Imo River, on the West by the Benin River and on the
South by the Atlantic Ocean. To the Eastern Niger-Delta are such lowlands, comprising the
present day Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo States, while the Western angle comprises
the lowlands that make up the present day central Western Edo, Delta, Ondo and even
Lagos State (Fubara et al., 1988).
As these rivers meander into the Atlantic Ocean, they form two major distributaries at Abos
to make up River forcardos (in the West), and River Nun (in the East). Within the
Forcardos-Nun basin are numerous tributaries, rivers and streams, all with their own
individual flood plains. Many of these flood plains are overlapping. Thus, the Niger-Delta
is that portion of the landmass transversed by River Nun and River Forcardos,
encompassing their tributaries. Coastal ridge barriers, mangroves, fresh water swamp forest
and lowland forest characterize the ecological zones. By scientific inclination and
perception, the core Niger-Delta areas are Rivers State, Delta and Bayelsa States (EdwinNwosu and Elenwo, 2006).
As sea waves break on the shores, the land is eroded and is torn off and washed into the sea.
This creates a kind of gully around the shore, as was the case with KPAKIAMA community
in Delta State of Nigeria. This type of coastal or beach erosion is a major environmental
problem, resulting in land degradation in states or communities bordering the Atlantic
Ocean ( e.g. Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State). The construction of foreshore protection
structure will help to protect the communities close to the coastal region from the onslaught
of water current flow and lessen the impact of soil erosion in those areas (Anijah-obi,
2001).
HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Human health has always been dependent on our relationship with our environment. Every sane
human being desires to be healthy but good health can be elusive, especially when we fail to mind
our actions on the environment. This is because poor, filthy and putrid environment can affect the
health of the individual and result in subsequent death. The health implication of communities with
some of these environmental problems could be quite serious. Communities are constantly ravaged
by cholera outbreaks, malaria and other related diseases (Abam, 2001).
In the area of waste management in communities, improperly managed wastes, especially excreta
and other liquid and solid wastes from households and communities are serious health hazard and
lead to the spread of infectious diseases. Unattended waste lying around attracts flies and other
creatures that in turn spread disease (Lucas and Gilles, 1984).
The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the riverine or coastal communities are discussed under
the following headings. They include:
1.
Disease Prevalence/Statistics
2.
Disease Vectors
3.
Morbidity Rate
4.
Mortality Rate
5.
Nutritional Status
6.
Housing Status
7.
Medical and Health Care Facilities.
1.
Disease Prevalence/Statistics
The disease prevalence or statistics of some riverine communities in the Niger Delta areas (e.g
Kpakiama community in Niger Delta State) were based on data obtained from personal interviews
and structured questionnaires administered to both individuals in the community and health
personnel at the maternity centers or cottage hospitals. The survey conducted showed that the adult
population suffered mainly form typhoid fever, cholera, tuberculosis, and dysentery and malaria
fever. Also, there were cases of gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS, though
HIV/AIDS was less prevalent among the adult population, perhaps, they are not fully aware of the
danger and various ways of transmission of HIV/AIDS (Fig. 1)
The adult population also suffered from hypertension, arthritis, diabetes and various forms of
domestic and work related injuries. Disease prevalence among children was caused predominantly
by malaria, diarrhea/dysentery, measles, worm infections, anaemia and skin rashes. Eye and ear
infections were not common in some of these communities.
2.
Disease Vector
Mosquitoes, sandflies and houseflies were identified as the common disease vectors. The vectors
breed in and around the community in nearby bushes and water bodies. Water in littered cans and
empty containers also provided breeding grounds for the disease vectors, small rodents such as rats
were also be identified as disease vectors. The behavioural pattern of the inhabitants encouraged
person-to-person transmission of disease. Diseases are also transmitted by drinking contaminated
water since there is no potable water in some of these communities. Poor environmental cleanness
also encouraged spread of diseases.
3.
Morbidity Rate
The morbidity rates from all causes as determined by the respondents were high, about 100 ill
persons per 1000 individuals among the adult population and 150 persons per 1000 individuals
among the children population. The high morbidity rate could be attributed to the current poor
health facilities, poor environmental sanitation and lack of portable water, as well as severe stress to
provide the nutritional requirements of homes.
4.
Mortality Rate
The mortality rates were determined using the crude death rates, infant mortality rates, under five
and maternal mortality rates. The crude death rate, which was computed as the number of deaths in
a year divided by the mid-year population of the community and multiplied by 1000, showed that
24.3% death occurred per
1000 individuals in the area. The crude death rate indicated the rate at which people were dying,
probably due to poor socio-economic conditions, poor health care delivery and non-availability of
drugs at that health centers.
Also, included is lack of good drinking water (potable water). Some of these rural dwellers drink,
bathe and defecate in the same river, which exposes them to various water born infections. The
leading causes of death among the adults were malaria fever, typhoid, tuberculosis, hypertension and
diabetes. Among the children were malaria fever, measles, cholera, febrile convulsion and anaemia.
5. Nutritional Status
Good nutrition is generally accepted as an important measure in enhancing resistance to infection.
Malnutrition and famine were identified as major problems in the area. About 60% of the
communities are under nourished and most of the food items are very expensive, however, the major
foods in the area are plantain, fish, garri and bread. The health impact of malnutrition ranges from
increased rates of morbidity and mortality reduced productive capacity, diminished mental potential
and higher expenditure on health. In addition to such specific effects, it has been noted that poorly
nourished children are more liable to succumb to gastroenteritis and measles.
6. Housing Status
Most of the rural houses in some communities in Niger Delta are built of mud-concrete or
combination of wood, bamboo and thatched roofs. However, few houses with Zinc roofs were
identified. The houses built with mud and bamboos are ill ventilated and lighted only through the
door opening with a smoky fire place inside and without real furniture. These type of housing does
not meet up with WHO standards for good housing, which states that the home should be designed so
that family can function effectively in terms of cultural background, providing privacy for adults and
a suitable setting for bringing up children.
The health impacts of poor housing include poor ventilation and overcrowding which predispose the
people to the spread of respiratory infections. Also, appropriate safety devices are lacking,
atmospheric pollution from smoky wood fires (indoor air pollution), excessive noise and poor
lighting are some of the physical hazards of poor housing. Improvement in housing in the rural areas
is essential, as it would enable the villagers to lead a clean and healthy life.
7. Medical and Health Care Facilities
The absence of well-equipped health centers or hospitals in communities around the Niger Delta
areas made the people to resort to traditional healing/treatment. About half of the total rural
population have to travel some kilometers to reach a health centre with a qualified doctor. About
60% of the population prefers medical care, while 40% of the rural dwellers still prefer traditional
healing/treatment to medical attention.
The implication is that majority of the rural people carry superstitious notions about health, disease
and their cure. They often try self-medication or seek the cheap services of unqualified and
unregistered health personnel, while provision of sufficient reliable medical facilities to the rural
communities is necessary; it is utterly essential to wipe away superstitions and ignorance from their
minds.
WASTE INVENTORY AND ITS HEALTH IMPACT
Solid waste disposal in the riverine or coastal communities is not properly managed (Table 1).
Indiscriminate release of wastes (degradable and non-degradable) into the environment occurs on
regular basis. The sources of these wastes are mainly from residential homes, public eating homes
and drinking center, health care centers as well as patent/traditional healers. The common wastes
identified include faecal matter, domestic refuse, food remains, cassava peels and health care wastes
(e.g. discarded syringe, needles, bandages, plastics, swabs) etc.
The dumpsites of wastes in these communities are the surrounding environments, which ranged from
open lands, surrounding bushes, open rivers or streams or riverbanks.
There are no local waste recycling methods, wastes are dumped indiscriminately and left to natural
degradation. The health impacts of wastes on the communities are enormous.
It encourages the spread of waterborne diseases (typhoid, cholera etc), fouling of environment,
release of offensive odour and reduced water quality. Health care wastes (e.g. discarded syringe,
needles), bottles and glasses can cause injuries or abrasion to people or waste scavengers. Water
collected in cans, broken machineries and garbage serves as breeding grounds for disease vectors,
while some constitute a nuisance in the environment.
CONCLUSION
From the foregoing, it could be deduced that most riverine communities in the Niger Delta are
suffering from total neglect and under-development. Adequate and well-equipped medical facilities
are lacking including potable water and housing. It is therefore, imperative to develop the Niger
Delta areas, since they produce 80% of the oil that sustains the Country’s revenue.
REFERENCE
1. Abam, O. T. 2001. The Socio-economic Implications of Environmental Degradation in
Nigeria, a paper presented at the training workshop on environmental reporting for
correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria, University of Calabar.
2. Anijah-Obi, F. N. 2001. Fundamental of Environmental Education and Management.
University of Calabar Press.
3. Edwin-Nwosu, N. L and Elenwo, E. N. 2006. Crude Oil Exploration, an Environmental
Double- Edge Sword in Nigeria. The Niger Delta Experience. Journal of Nigerian
Environmental Society (JNES) 3:268-279.
4. Fubara, D. M. J., Teme, S. C., Mgbeke, T., Gobo, A. E. T and Abam, T. K. S. 1988.
Master Plan Design of Flood and Erosion Control Measures in the Niger-Delta.
IFERT Technical Report. No. 1.
5. Lucas, A. O. and Gilles, H. M. 1973. A Short Textbook of Preventive Medicine for the
Tropics London. Hodder and Stoughton.
Table 1: WASTE INVENTORY OF COMMUNITIES IN NIGER DELTA
Type of Waste
Sources Of Waste Around
Project Site
Ultimate Destination of
Waste
Human beings, Animals, Birds
etc.
River/Stream,
surrounding bush, River
bank
Local Waste
Recycling Method
Quantity
Health Impact/Risk
Nil
10-20g Human
faeces per person per
day
Outbreak/spread of infectious diseases
e.g. cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever
etc.
Nil
120kg per
household/day
Breeding ground for disease vectors
(flies, rats etc), environment fouling,
offensive odour, reduced water quality;
fermented organic waste creates
favourable conditions for growth of
microbial pathogens, injury &
infection.
Nil
10,000-20,000
milliliter per
household/day.
Spread of water-borne infections,
contamination of ground water sources.
2kg per centre/month
Spread of infectious disease (e.g.
Hepatitis B & C, tetanus), injuries on
rag pickers.
10-15kg per
household per week.
Creating nuisance, land occupation,
impacting injuries and other hazards,
coloured plastics release heavy metals
(harmful) that are highly toxic, food
chain accumulation of toxic substances.
A. Biodegradable Waste
1. Human/Animal faeces,
Bird dropping
2. Domestic Waste (Solid)
e.g Food remains, cassava
peels, yam peels, plantain
peels, vegetable leaves,
orange peels etc.
Residential/eating homes,
health care centres. Etc.
3. Domestic Waste
(Sewage)
Residential homes,
hospital/health
center/maternity homes,
restaurants. Etc.
River/Stream
4. Health care wastes
(discarded syringe needles,
bandages, swabs, etc)
Health care centre
maternity/patent stores.
Surrounding
lands/bushes,
Riverbanks.
5. Non-degradable
Wastes (Plastics
and
polythene, oysters shells,
cans & basins, Cigarette
packets, broken down
machineries etc.
Residential homes, restaurants,
patent stores,
supermarkets/petty stores,
health care centers, boat
companies/private boat users
etc.
Open Landfills,
Surrounding bushes,
open river/stream, Bank
of river
River banks, surrounding
bushes/lands, open
river/stream
Nil
Nil