Comprehension: Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution is a worldwide problem. With the exception of natural catastrophes, all environmental problems are man-induced.

                   Pollution from household solid waste appears to be the most physical manifestation of poor environmental control in Nigeria. A survey of major cities in Nigeria shows that most municipal authorities have little or no answer to the management of solid waste. The result is that cities are littered with bags or heaps of refuse. Retention of water on the soil surface after rainfall is a major threat to lives and property. Flood is a direct consequence of a lack of well-designed drainage systems or blockage of existing ones. Cities, towns and villages are often submerged in flood water leading to loss of lives and property. The poor drainage system in our cities is a sharp indication of the major defects in our urban planning system.

                   Desert encroachment to a certain extent is a natural phenomenon. However, the use of firewood by the rural populace is known to be a major factor in desertification. This means that any plan to conserve the natural forest must offer the rural populace an alternative source of fuel.

                   Production of oil and gas is usually accompanied by substantial discharge of wastewater. Oil spillage is a result of leakage of hydrocarbons from the pipes. To a large extent, poor maintenance of oil pipelines and poor monitoring of pressure regimes of the fluids with respect to the strength of the pipes lead to oil spills.

(Krist. A. Offiong: Newsline at Green Africa, September 2010)