ASSESSMENT OF INCOME GENERATION BY SCAVENGERS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA, NIGERIA
Ogah, T. A., Adana, M.Y., Magaji, J.I. & Ayuba, H.K.
Department of Geography,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
Email: tankogah@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study
assessment of the income generation by scavengers in Abuja Municipal area
council was aimed at assessing the level of livelihood sustained by scavenging
in the area. The methodology adopted was such that data were generated from
questionnaires, interview, and observation methods. 120 copies of the
questionnaires were administered to the respondents. The sample size was taken
systematically from the four clusters of dumpsite in Karmo, Kuchingoro, Lugbe
Federal Housing and Gosa according to the population encountered at each
location at various points. Finally the results revealed that 33 percent of the
respondents earned between N 4,000 and N14, 000 monthly, 17 percent earned
between N15, 000 and N25, 000 monthly, 8 percent earned between
N26, 000 and N36, 000 monthly, 3 percent of them earned N37, 000 and above monthly, while 39 percent of the respondents
could not recall how much they earned monthly. Therefore, the study concludes
that the reluctance of Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the government
of Abuja Municipal Area Council to fashion out concrete ways of integrating and
assisting the scavengers to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently
are antithetical to sound waste management in AMAC. This is because, for
scavengers to effectively participate in waste management and earn better
income in AMAC, the government must give them encouragement. It is finally
recommendation the government should subsidise the costs of Personal Protective
Equipments (PPEs) and educate the scavengers on why they should protect
themselves to avoid health and environmental hazards arising from dumpsites
environment; and this will go a long way in helping scavengers save more money.
Keywords: Subsidize, Personal Protective Equipments, Earned, Money.