Impacts of Industrial Set-Up on the Environment (A Case Study of the Agbara Industrial Estate in Ogun State)
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research is to examine the impact of industries set up on the environment in Agbara industrial estate, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study specifically aims to ascertain the following;
i. To identify the environmental parameters affected by the industrial set up.
ii. To examine the extent of the effect of industrial activities on environment.
iii. To Develop an environmental plan and monitoring and auditing frameworks.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Review of Literature
Industrial Land Use
Land is fundamental to all economic activities. The supply and employment of land is central to the pattern and process of economic regeneration and restructuring (Adams et al., 1994). Traditionally, the land used by man was mainly for agriculture (Asaju, 1996). In recent years, non – agricultural land use has increased due to the increase in population and the growth of industrial economy. Manufacturing industry, which differs fundamentally from other land uses, is an urban magnet and indeed a major feature, which brings about changes in the state and position of cities in terms of their economic and socio-cultural structures (Bashorun, 2003). Industrialization on its own part is a government development policy rooted in both national and regional development plans.
Hall (1988) grouped industrial land use types under eight headings as offices and commercial buildings; factories in urban situations; factories in rural situations; warehousing; transportation; extractive industries; special types of industries e.g power stations, water reservoirs; and ancillary land uses such as cooling ponds, storage land and recreation. Obateru (2002) however classified industrial land use into four, namely, crafts making which include cloth (spinning, weaving dyeing), leather crafts, wood and sundry carvings, drums and musical instruments; light (non-manufacturing) industries comprising of printing, publishing, electrical/ auto-servicing and repair; general (manufacturing) industries to include textile mill, paper and beverage industries; and noxious (special) industries consisting of chemical, pharmaceutical and allied products, petroleum refining and kindred industries.
A cursory look at the classification of the industrial concerns would show that some groups such as offices, commercial building and ware housing may have ‘pull’ effects on the population due to their relative environmental friendliness. This situation which attracts more people to the neighbourhood is expected to raise the property values of such neighbourhood. On the other hand are other groupings such as paper mills, chemical, pharmaceutical and allied products which may have ‘push’ effects thereby reducing the population of the neighbourhood and hence property values. The veracity of these scenarios is addressed in this paper.
Allocation of Industrial Land
One of the objectives of land allocation is the creation of a balanced land use system, that is, the provision of adequate land for the various land uses consistent with the creation of a fundamentally efficient physical environment (Obateru, 1996). Allocation of industrial land in Nigeria is the prerogative of the government (State and Federal) which planned and approved industrial layouts in both the urban and regional areas of the country. According to Obateru (1996), the minimum land required for modern industrial estates is about 20 hectares, of this 30-40% should be for roads and vehicular parking, 10% to recreation and public utilities while not more than 50-60% of the entire layout should be committed to actual industrial use.
A greater proportion of Nigeria’s industrial plants in the early stages however, were undoubtedly located for reasons of relative geographical advantages. Once an industrial centre is firmly established, its growth process becomes cumulative with increased urban concentration around it. This serves as incentives for establishing further secondary and ancillary industries, while the industrial reasons for locating the earlier plants in the centre may become submerged in or indeed irrelevant to the new complex of decision involved and locational pull associated with large industrial conurbations (Teriba & Kayode, 1997).
CHAPTER THREE
Methodology
Introduction
This chapter deals with the methodologies adopted in the study. The study adopted the basic guidance given in the national EIA guidelines in 1993. As per the guidelines, the basic processes are: scoping for EIA, identification of environmental impacts, assessment of mitigation and monitoring measures with the environmental auditing framework, etc. The following steps were carried out while adopting the processes mentioned above.
Data Collection and Preparation of Maps
Primary data or information on the public’s attitude and experiences regarding the impacts of industrial expansion on bio-physical and socio economic features etc., was collected from the field by using some key research tools such as focus group discussions, transect walks with relevant stakeholders, key informant interviews, field observations and survey questionnaires. Likewise soil and water samples were also taken for analysis.
The secondary data was collected through literature reviews. Information about industrial profiles, socio economic status of the study area and archaeological values. This information was obtained from different literary sources such as UNESCO, IUCN, the Industrial estate in ogun Development Trust (LDT), the Department of Industry (DOI), the Department of Small Industry and Cottage (DoSIC), the Industrial estate in ogun Institution, the Department of Survey (DoS) and the Department of Archaeology, etc. Steps and tools used for the data collection are described below.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISUSSION
Introduction
The Environmental Impact Assessment investigates the possible impacts, both adverse as well as beneficial, from the activities of factories operational in the study area. This chapter deals with the effects of these industries and deals with the primary impacts of industrial activities on air quality, water sources and soil quality in the location. The sectoral impacts, including socio-economic, cultural, health, physical and biological environments, are presented in this chapter. The impacts assessment was carried out by reviewing documentation, testing samples in the laboratory (soil and water) and analyzing qualitative information experienced by local communities.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
The Industrial estate in ogun is a destination for both pilgrims and visitors from Nigeria and the rest of the world. The fertile farmland around the is a good habitat of abundant flora and fauna but this scenario changes rapidly as we enter the industrial zone. The 15-km area in terms of aerial distance (the landscape is termed as the Industrial estate) and south up to the border. The rapid and uncontrolled growth of carbon emission industries within the industrial estate is threatening the master plan area of 5ml x 5ml, including the Industrial estate in ogun. A rapid development of industrial activities in the estate threatens archaeological values, the local community’s health, socio-cultural beliefs and the ecological habitat.
The economically positive impact from industrial operations varies from Nepalese Rupees (NRs) 8,000-12,000 /month for about 80-100 families. The cost of land near the industrial area has increased in the last 10 years as industrial activity and the related transportation sector have increased their activities quite substantially.
There has been clear violation of laws by industrial operators and this breach of legislation has had significant adverse consequences on the bio-diversity, water resources, air quality, land use and condition of the environment and the health of the local people. Air pollution levels are higher near the industrial area due to a lack of mitigation measures to control fugitive emissions produced by cement industries.
The growth of total colifom was observed in the samples of both surface and ground water. The local community expressed the view that the water table has decreased around the industrial areas because of excessive extraction of ground water for the operation of industrial activities. The soil around the industries is alkaline and the organic matters content in the soil was recorded as lower than standard acceptable levels. The soil pollution assessment showed that soil around the industrial area was contaminated by fugitive effluent due to cement production. As a result of the accumulation of dust in the local environment, crop cultivation near the industrial areas decreased in comparison to the pre-industry era in the region. Heavy truck traffic (about 100 trucks per day servicing the industrial site) has caused excessive noise pollution and vibration in these industrial areas.
Furthermore, water pollution in the river adversely impacts the cultural, spiritual and religious practices of local communities and pilgrims. Eye irritation due to clinker dust and dry cement powder has been experienced by the local communities. Likewise, dry skin, discomfort, irritation and severe burns have caused skin problems in the region. Economic activities and associated financial returns for a small number people has increased in this area in recent years but this has been at a cost to the health of many and precious natural resources. The health impact due to industrial activities needs to be examined for further clarification about the industrial impacts on the local environment.
Recommendations
The study tried to cover different aspects of environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues associated with the industrial set up. Some of the issues in the report could not be verified by data due to insufficient field study feedback/investigation and some technical limitations. Therefore, a further comprehensive study on the different aspects of the environment in this area is strongly recommended to assess the actual impacts in and around the industrial estate. This additional study should also focus on visitors to the (both local and international) and the consequences of industrial activities on this aspect. Such a study should also suggest a sustainable solution to the current environmental problems being experienced at the industrial sites and the surrounding vicinity.
Based on the results obtained from the analysis and assessment, the region has been classified into different zones. The guidelines for the sustainable development of the classified zones are given in the study. Based on the preliminary study and proposed guidelines, the following recommendations are made for further evaluation of the local environmental condition and finalization of the guidelines to make it more practical and useful for the protection of the and the sustainable development of the region.
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