Original Research
Strategies and perceptions towards flood control and waste management in Limbe city, Cameroon
Submitted: 03 September 2022 | Published: 20 November 2023
About the author(s)
Mabel N. Wantim, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; and Disaster Risk Management Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, CameroonAsong F. Zisuh, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; and Disaster Risk Management Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ngankam S. Tendong, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Roy L. Mbua, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Emilien N. Findi, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Samuel N. Ayonghe, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; and Disaster Risk Management Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Abstract
Limbe city in Cameroon is prone to annual flood disasters. The Limbe City Council (LCC) has been making efforts to address the problem of floods and municipal solid waste management (MSWM). This article presents an: (1) assessment of the different strategies by the council towards MSWM and floods; (2) evaluation of public perception on waste disposal practices and (3) examination of the nexus between waste disposal and flooding. The methods employed included qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews with the aid of questionnaires (open- and closed-ended questions) field observations and interview; and the use of the Benefit Value Tree method (BVT) to analyse sustainability strategies by LCC. The BVT method provided, the following scores for the four strategies used: sustainable basin management against floods and/or landslides = 7; mechanical dredging of river beds = 4; Keep Limbe Clean = 3; manual dredging and cleaning of rivers, gutters, culverts and bridges = 1. An evaluation of the municipal solid waste collection system revealed that (1) over 85% of plastic bins do not meet standard physical conditions; (2) bins at all collection points are insufficient for waste at such points and (3) residents engage in wanton disposal practices because of insufficient service coverage of residential areas. Field observations and interview with authorities established a clear connection between floods and poor waste management. In addition to existing efforts by LCC, it needs to upgrade and expand waste collection services through provision of numerous suitable bins and community awareness raising on the nexus between floods and waste disposal.
Contribution: This is a transdisciplinary research which presents the constraints and challenges in waste generation and collection, its relationship with recurrent floods in Limbe city, and presents a way forward to improve on the situation using the BVT method.
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Crossref Citations
1. A system archetype approach to identify behavioural patterns in flood risk management: Case study of Cameroon
Lum Sonita Awah, Yong Sebastian Nyam, Johanes Amate Belle, Israel Ropo Orimoloye
Environmental Development vol: 51 first page: 101026 year: 2024
doi: 10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101026