ANALYSIS CORRELATION OF POPULATION GROWTH AND SOLID WASTE GENERATION IN PORT HARCOURT REGION OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyzed correlation of population growth and solid waste generation in the Port Harcourt region of Rivers State, Nigeria. The cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The primary data was on issues relating to population growth, economic activities and solid waste generation. Out of the eight local government areas that make up the Port Harcourt region, two local government areas namely; Port Harcourt, and Obio/Akpor local government areas were purposively chosen for the study. The Taro Yaneni’s formula was used to determine the sample size and sample frame from the 2020 projected population of 3,019,981 and 596,359 regular household population. Hence, 400 persons were selected from each of Obalga and Phalga given a total sample size of 800 persons. The instrumentation and method of data collection was through copies of structured questionnaire administered to 800 household heads in the region. The method of data analysis was done using descriptive statistics while the hypothesis was analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and tested at 0.05 significant level. Findings of the study showed that Port Harcourt region is growing very fast and that there is significant correlation between rise in population and increase in the volume of solid waste generated. That is, rise in population cause increase in the volume of solid waste generated in the region. The study therefore recommended that: the government should enforce physical planning and development control laws; the government should encourage rural development through the provision of basic social amenities/infrastructures, and support small scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) for the rural regions.