Health and Environmental Impacts of Industrialization (A case study of Dangote Cement Factory on Obajana Community, Kogi state, Nigeria)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2021|ISSN 2454-6194

Health and Environmental Impacts of Industrialization (A case study of Dangote Cement Factory on Obajana Community, Kogi state, Nigeria)

Emmanuel O. Chukwu ¹, Johnson I. Adaji², Amaka D. Okoro³, Marvellous O. Faluyi^4
1,²Richflood Laboratories Limited, Abuja, Nigeria,
³Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria,
⁴Jawura Environmental Services Limited, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract— The impacts of industrialization on socio-economic development can’t be over emphasized, but so are the negative consequences. This paper examines the health and environmental impacts of Dangote Cement Industry on the physical environment of the encompassing settlement of Obajana, Kogi State. this is often with a view to providing sustainable solution to the negative impact of huge scale industries in an emerging economy like Nigeria. The study involved empirical observation and interview of residents of the world. About 150 questionnaires were administered randomly on workers and residents, out of which 137 were returned. These were analyzed using simple tables. The study confirms extensive incidence of land, air, and sound pollution, asthma, carcinoma and Heart diseases over and above recommended minimum limits. It also discovers lack of considerable compliance with the principle of environmental integrity sustainability and National Environmental Standard Regulation Authority (NESRA) in terms of environmental resource protection. The study recommends that, for Nigeria to maximize benefits of industrialization and minimize its negative effects, a tripartite arrangement that involves the industry, the community and therefore the government must be involved in environmental monitoring and protection.

Keywords— Cement factory, Dangote, Environmental impact, Helth implication, Obajana community, Pollution.

I. INTRODUCTION

One of the usually touted solutions to the issues impeding development within the Third World countries is that the emphasis on industrial enterprises. The intention behind the encouragement of industries, consistent with (Ofori-Cudjoe, 2009), (Endashaw, 2009) and (Boakye, 2010) lies within the development of a diversified economy that would propel the achievement of stable and sustainable societies, since the agricultural sector, the most economic activity in Sub-saharan African countries cannot provide enough employment and income to the growing population. Few years after Nigeria’s Independence; the main policy emanating from the new government was that important substitution (Oyebanji, 1983). The policy emphasized local production of hitherto imported consumers’ goods by importing semi and unfinished goods that are fully processed into the country. Consequently, several large scale industries were built by the varied levels of governments and person who was desirous of quick industrialization. one among such industries is that the Dangote Cement Plant (DCP) in Kogi state. However, industrialization like every phenomenon a bit like it’s benefits it also has negative consequences. In an effort to maximize the advantages and price in terms of environmental crisis and minimize the value, governments everywhere the planet have come up with standards which industrial plants especially pollution intensive ones must suits before such industries are approved and established. the need of Environmental Impact Statement before development under the Federal Environmental Protection Act of 1987 may be a bold attempt at controlling such noxious effects of pollution intensive firms like Cement Plants. However, several years after the

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