EIA for Foreshore Protection in Niger Delta, Nigeria

1. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FORESHORE PROTECTION IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA ABSTRACT #: 371 BY WACHUKWU, CONFIDENCE KINIKANWO (Ph.D) E.MAIL: conkiwa@yahoo.com  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.

2. 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.

3. 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 (Edwin-Nwosu 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).

4. 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

5. 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. 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. 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. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Type of Waste Sources Of Waste Around Project Site Ultimate Destination of Waste Local Waste Recycling Method Quantity Health Impact/Risk A. Biodegradable Waste • Human/Animal faeces, • Bird dropping Human beings, Animals, Birds etc. River/Stream, surrounding bush, River bank Nil 10-20g Human faeces per person per day Outbreak/spread of infectious diseases e.g. cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever etc. 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. Open Landfills, Surrounding bushes, open river/stream, Bank of river 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. 3. Domestic Waste (Sewage) Residential homes, hospital/health center/maternity homes, restaurants. Etc. River/Stream Nil 10,000-20,000 milliliter per household/day. Spread of water-borne infections, contamination of ground water sources. 4. Health care wastes (discarded syringe needles, bandages, swabs, etc) Health care centre maternity/patent stores. Surrounding lands/bushes, Riverbanks. Nil 2kg per centre/month Spread of infectious disease (e.g. Hepatitis B & C, tetanus), injuries on rag pickers. 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. River banks, surrounding bushes/lands, open river/stream Nil 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. Table 1: WASTE INVENTORY OF COMMUNITIES IN NIGER DELTA