Journal Article

Assessment of Human Activities on Sawmill Environments in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the environmental impacts of sawmills in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the research. Random sampling technique was used to select 8 out of the 24 sawmills in Minna, Niger State. Systematic random sampling was used to select seventy-four households together in each of the identified sawmills which are surrounded by residential buildings for the administration of the questionnaire, house count was conducted within 150m radius from each of the three large sawmills and 50m from each of the five (5) small facilities. Semi structured questionnaires, individual interviews and personal observations were used to generate data from respondents, while field notes guide was used to record data in respect of participant. Data collected from the sawmills and their host communities / households were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using tables and pictorial illustrations and the Leopold matrix. The study revealed that there is only one (1) sawmill which is Niger State Development Company (NSDC) and twenty-five timber sheds out of which two were large timber sheds (soma timber shed and rock foundation timber shed) in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Furthermore, waste generated by timber sheds and sawmill in Minna Niger State. included sawdust, wood slabs/pieces, plane shavings, release of dust and smoke into the atmosphere, waste water from log and lumber yards and spent oil from machinery and vehicles; while only the NSDC sawmill generate bark strips because it is the only facility where logs are brought for conversion. The study also revealed that methods adopted for disposal of waste were purchase / packing by households surrounding all the eight industries studied, packing for use by poultry owners and packing for landfill to check erosion in the nearby residences, respectively. On the other hand, open burning was admitted to be in practice in only the Soma timber sheds. The operational processes and waste disposal methods of timber sheds and sawmill insignificantly impacted air, water and soil quality, flora & fauna; and socio-economic aspects of community health and noise negatively. The industries however averagely touched the lives of people positively through direct and indirect employment, income generation and indeed improvement in the standard of living of host communities. In view of the findings, it is recommended that burning of waste as was being practiced by Soma timber shed, should be stopped completely and such wastes can be put into beneficial uses as reported by most of the industries studied. There is need to relocate all the wood-based industries that are currently scattered in Minna to an industrial zone where they are remote from sensitive receptors such as residential premises so as to ensure that the separation distance is adequate enough to eliminate or reduce the nuisance from noise, dust or odour.

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