Assessment of Waste Management Practices and Challenges in Sokoto Metropolis in Relation to the Integral Part of SDG Indicator 6.2.1 (A) “Sanitation Services”

This study assessed solid waste management practices and challenges in Sokoto Metropolis with a view to promoting sustainable sanitation and attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2 (6.2.1 [a]). Primary data were collected through questionnaires, field observations, and interviews with residents and relevant waste management stakeholders. The findings revealed that the existing waste management system is inadequate to cope with the increasing volume of waste generated by the rapidly growing urban population. Waste collection and disposal services provided by the Sokoto Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and BIOFIL Technologies Nigeria Limited are constrained by insufficient refuse collection facilities, limited authorized dumpsites, and irregular waste evacuation. As a result, open dumping and open burning remain the predominant waste disposal practices, leading to the proliferation of unauthorized dumpsites in residential areas, drainage channels, roadsides, and vacant lands. These practices contribute to blockage of drainage systems, flooding, offensive odour. The study further established that organized recycling activities and sanitary landfill facilities are virtually absent, with material recovery occurring mainly through informal scavenging. To determine whether waste management practices differ across residential areas, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted between the Inner City and Government Residential Areas (GRA). The analysis produced an F-statistic of 0.76 and a p-value of 0.6866, indicating no statistically significant difference in waste management practices between the two areas. It concludes that the existing waste management system in Sokoto Metropolis is inadequate and incapable of effectively addressing the increasing volume of solid waste generated by the growing urban population. The study recommends the provision of additional waste collection facilities, establishment of more transfer stations and improvement in waste collection frequency, and development of recycling centres to enhance sustainable waste management and support the attainment of SDG 6.2 (6.2.1 [a]) in Sokoto Metropolis

Solid waste management, waste disposal, sanitation, recycling, SDG 6.2, Sokoto Metropolis, environmental sustainability

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