THE IMPACT OF URBAN MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON THE ECONOMY OF ENUGU METROPOLITAN AREA, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of municipal waste management strategies on the economy of Enugu Metropolis, South-East Nigeria. The research was motivated by the growing challenges of rapid urbanization, population expansion, and inadequate waste management infrastructure that have contributed to environmental degradation and reduced economic opportunities in the city. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting a population of 913 staff of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA). Using Freund and William’s formula, a sample size of 271 respondents was selected, and data were obtained through structured questionnaires. Instrument validity was established through expert review, while reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.91. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Z-tests at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that recycling has a significant positive relationship with wealth creation in Enugu Metropolis, providing employment opportunities, reducing disposal costs, generating revenue from recyclables, and attracting green investments (Z = 11.200, p < 0.05). Similarly, regulation enforcement was found to significantly improve the standard of living, enhancing environmental quality, social cohesion, business fairness, and public health (Z = 10.259, p < 0.05). However, the study also identified key socioeconomic and institutional challenges that hinder effective waste management, including inadequate funding, weak enforcement, poor recycling facilities, low public awareness, and policy inconsistencies. The study concludes that waste management in Enugu Metropolis is both an environmental necessity and a potential economic driver. It recommends the establishment of modern recycling facilities, provision of tax incentives for recycling businesses, increased government and private sector funding, stricter regulation enforcement with stronger monitoring mechanisms, and the formalization of the informal recycling sector. Collectively, these strategies would reposition waste management as a tool for sustainable economic growth, employment creation, and improved quality of life in Enugu Metropolis