METHOD OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL IN MAKURDI BENUE STATE AND IT'S IMPLICATION

ON VULTURE FOOD POISONING

BY

AUGUSTINE SAMUEL OWOICHO

19/50317/UE

BEING A POST FIELD PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND RANGE

MANAGEMENT, COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND FISHERIES, JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA
UNIVERSITY MAKURDI, BENUE STATE NIGERIA

NOVEMBER, 2024
 INTRODUCTION
Solid waste means unwanted materials or substances that are left or discarded
after use, also included are by-products of process lines or materials that may be
required by law to be disposed of (Afangideh et al., 2019).

The problem of waste management is a primordial and poses threats in

developing countries in Africa, particularly Nigeria. Municipal waste-
management problems in Nigeria cut across concerns for human health, air,
water, and land pollution among others.

This means that ingesting such harmful substances as lead, pesticides and
bacteria from dirty waste can result in widespread damage of vultures and thus
disrupt the ecological balance which could also be a health hazard for the
human beings (Kumar et al., 2017).
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The specific objectives of the study are
To identify the types of Municipal solid waste available in Makurdi

To identify potential food poisoning substance on solid waste dump sites in
Makurdi town base on information from literature.

To describe the method of solid waste disposal in Makurdi metropolis.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS
STUDY AREA

Figure 1 : Map of Makurdi showing the Study area

Source : Benue State Ministry for Lands and Survey
DATA COLLECTION
Field observational survey was conducted at three randomly selected disposal
sites in Makurdi Wurukum, Wadata, and Airforce Base to systematically
document the types of municipal solid waste present and to assess the presence
of substances potentially hazardous to vulture populations.

Waste at each site was categorized by composition, including organic materials,

plastics, metals, hazardous materials, and other miscellaneous items.

Special attention was given to identifying food poisoning risks to scavenging

species, specifically vultures, based on literature-reported hazards. The survey
also recorded the prevailing methods of solid waste disposal in Makurdi
metropolis.
 DATA ANALYSIS
The analysis was conducted through a combination of field data categorization,
and risk assessment.
 RESULTS
Table 1 : Showing the Types of Municipal solid waste available at Wurukum Site
Disposal Site Waste Category Types of Waste
- Food Waste (fruit/vegetable peelings, meat scraps)
Wurukum Organic Waste - Yard Waste (leaves, grass clippings)
- Paper Waste (newspapers, cardboard,books)
- Single-Use Bags and Wrappers
- PET Bottles and Containers
Plastics
- Styrofoam Packaging
- Household Plastics (buckets)
- Aluminum and Steel Cans
Metals
- Scrap Metal ( wires, nails)
- E-Waste (batteries, appliance parts)
Hazardous Materials
- Household Chemicals (pesticides, solvents)
- Glass (bottles, jars)
Other Waste - Automibile waste
- Textiles (clothing, rags)
Table 2 : Showing the Types of Municipal solid waste available at Wadata Site
Disposal Site Waste Category Types of Waste
- Food Residuals ( market waste)
- Yard Waste
Wadata Organic Waste
- Paper Waste
- Wood Scraps
- Plastic Bags and Wrappers
Plastics - PET Bottles
- High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE)Containers
- Aluminum Cans
Metals - Scrap Metal
- E-Waste Components
Hazardous - Medical Waste (syringes, pill bottles)
Materials - Industrial By-Products (oil containers)
- Glass Fragments
Other Waste
- Rubber and Leather (old shoes, bags)
Table 3 : Showing the Types of Municipal solid waste available at Airforce Base Site

Disposal Site Waste Category Types of Waste

- Food Waste
Airforce Base Organic Waste - Yard Waste (grass clippings)
- Paper Waste
- Plastic Films and Containers
Plastics - Styrofoam
- Household Plastics ( utensils)
- Cans
Metals
- Scrap Metal (small parts, wiring)
- E-Waste (Torch batteries, electronics
Hazardous
gadgets)
Materials
- Paint Cans and Solvents
- Glass and Ceramics (jars, bottle pieces)
Other Waste
- Textiles (fabrics, rags)
Table 4 : Showing Potential Food Poisoning Substances on Solid Waste Dump Sites in Makurdi

Waste Type Potential Food Poisoning Substances Possible Effects on Vultures

- Food Waste Contaminants: Bacterial pathogens (e.g.,
Botulism and Salmonellosis: Can cause severe food
Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum) from decomposing
poisoning in vultures, leading to paralysis, respiratory
Organic Waste meat and animal products.
distress, or death.
- Mold Toxins: Mycotoxins from moldy bread or
Mycotoxicosis: Can damage liver and kidneys.
grains.
- Heavy Metals: Lead, cadmium, and mercury, often Heavy Metal Poisoning: Leads to neurological and
Hazardous found in e-waste and industrial residues. organ damage; severe exposure can be fatal.
Materials - Pesticide Residues: Organophosphates and Pesticide Poisoning: Causes respiratory failure,
carbamates in disposed pesticide containers. paralysis, and death.
- Plasticizers and Additives: Chemicals like phthalates Toxicity and Obstruction: Ingestion of plastics can
Plastics and bisphenol A (BPA) that leach from degraded cause physical blockage in the digestive tract; chemical
plastics. leachates may disrupt endocrine function.
Internal Injuries: Sharp fragments can perforate the
- Sharp Metal Fragments: Small metallic waste can be
Metals digestive tract, leading to internal bleeding and
ingested accidentally.
infection.
Drug Toxicity: Residual drugs can cause toxicity,
- Pharmaceutical Residues: Antibiotics, analgesics, and
Medical Waste affecting the liver and kidneys of vultures, leading to
other drug residues in syringes and pill bottles.
immune suppression and organ failure.
Other Waste Physical Hazard: Can cause internal injuries and
(Glass)
- Glass Shards: Broken glass bottles and jars.
lacerations if ingested, leading to infection or death.
Table 5 : Showing Method of solid waste disposal in Makurdi Metropolis
Primary Waste Disposal
Disposal Site Additional Observations
Method
Regular burning of waste
Wurukum Open dumping and burning
releases toxins into the air.

Waste is minimally sorted,

Open dumping, with minimal
Wadata attracting scavenging birds and
segregation
wildlife

Military and industrial waste

Partially controlled dumping
Airforce Base was observed, with vultures
and burning
scavenging
 DISCUSSION
Waste Composition and Site-Specific Risks
Wurukum: High in organic waste (food scraps, yard waste), plastics, and hazardous materials
like e-waste; poses contamination risks to vultures.
Wadata: Dominated by market waste, plastics (HDPE), and medical waste; risk of
pathogenic exposure due to minimal segregation.
Airforce Base: Contains military and household waste, including unique hazards (solvents,
electronics); attracts vultures, increasing exposure to contaminants.

Organic waste introduces pathogens (Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum) leading to

botulism and salmonellosis. Hazardous materials (heavy metals, pesticides) cause organ
damage, respiratory failure, and reproductive issues. Plastics and medical waste release
endocrine disruptors and residues, causing immune suppression and physical harm.

Open dumping, burning, and lack of waste segregation contribute to air, soil, and water
contamination.Attracted wildlife, especially vultures, face increased exposure to toxins,
disrupting their ecological role in disease control.
 CONCLUSION
Ineffective municipal solid waste management in Makurdi, particularly at
Wurukum, Wadata, and Airforce Base, contributes unique contaminants due to a
lack of segregation and unsustainable disposal practices such as open dumping
and burning.

These disposal practices introduce pathogens, heavy metals, and toxic

chemicals that accumulate in vulture food sources, posing severe health risks,
including organ failure, immune suppression, and increased mortality.
RECOMMENDATION
Implement Waste Segregation at Source
Develop and Enforce Safe Disposal Practices
Increase Public Awareness and Education
 THANK
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