ASSESSMENT OF ABATTOIR WASTE MANAGEMENT IN HADEJIA METROPOLIS, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria, as a developing nation, has been characterised by inadequate waste disposal, treatment, and management technologies, leading to pollution. The high production of meat and meat products for human consumption has led to high waste generation from abattoirs. Hence, the study was conducted to assess the abattoir waste management in Hadejia Metropolis, Jigawa State. A structured questionnaire, personal observation, and one-on-one interviews were used to gather data for the study. Data on the number of animals (cattle, goats, and sheep) slaughtered daily was collected from records on abattoir operations. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that waste generated includes blood, dung, rumen fluid, carcasses, and bones. It is also revealed that the animals slaughtered in the abattoir range between 26 – 33 cows and 80-100 goats/sheep daily, which lead to the generation of about 0.34 tons of blood, 0.2 tons of gut contents, 0.14 tons of waste tissues, and 0.3 tons of bone. These translate into an annual total of 141.255 tons of blood, 77.562 tons of gut contents, and 78.48 tons of waste tissues discharged directly into the environment. Furthermore, the study revealed there is no proper strategy put in place for the management and treatment of abattoir waste within the study area, and the recycling potential of the waste products is not explored. The current disposal method utilised in the abattoir was unsatisfactory, not hygienic, contributed to global warming, and does not meet global standards. The study, therefore, recommends that Stakeholders, individuals, and government agencies need to explore the recycling potentials of animal waste for the production of valuable products, job creation, sustainable environment, wealth creation, a reduced waste product, and economic growth.