ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CEMENT EXCAVATION IN KALAMBAINA, SOKOTO-NIGERIA.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CEMENT EXCAVATION

Abstract

Industrialization has generally been regarded as an effective way to provide employment and to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people. However, industrial activities can also bring negative impacts on the lives of the affected population. Such is the case in Kalambaina, Sokoto, Nigeria. The government has given license to a company to excavate limestone to make cement and generate revenue. However, the impacts of the activities have been of great concern to Kalambaina inhabitants, especially regarding the emission of cement dust which causes air, water and land pollution. The cement industrial pollution has affected both the physical environment and the quality of the people’s lives. This research is about the impacts of the cement industry excavation on the physical environment of Kalambaina community. Data was collected using the face-to-face survey method among 377 respondents who were sampled using the multi-stage sampling technique. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the data analysis. To further support the findings, 10 key informants were interviewed. They were the traditional and religious leaders of the four villages chosen for the study and also, the environmental personnel in Kalambaina community. Functionalist and Common Pool Resources theories were applied during the analysis of the findings. The findings revealed that the respondents are aware that the physical environment has been endangered due to deforestation and the troughs created as result of limestone excavation. Their livelihood has dwindled resulting from poor crop yields and reduced number of herds due to loss of grazing lands. These negative impacts have given rise to social problems such as unemployment, and higher crime rates among the youths as well as homelessness. It can generally be concluded that although the government has granted license to operate the cement industry, cement excavation and pollution has impacted the quality of lives of the community.