Modeling of experts opinions for efficient management of solid waste in Nigeria

Analytical Hierarchy Process which is a multi-criteria nonlinear structure for carrying out both deductive and inductive thinking was adopted into modeling of experts opinions for the efficient management of solid waste in Nigeria. The sample area with regards to this study was the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Due to the qualitative nature of the study, purposive sampling technique a non-probabilistic sampling technique was employed in data collection from 150 experts within the sample area. For this, study two models (one based on the relative measurement of proposed alternative and the other based on the absolute measurement of proposed alternatives) were designed using systems approach for efficient solid waste management in Nigeria. The result obtained from the data analysis showed that the model based on the absolute measurement of proposed alternative performed better with judgment consistence ranging from 0.01 – 0.06 among the experts (respondents). Also the results obtained from this study showed that efficient solid waste management can be achieved in Nigeria with the joint efforts of the private waste management sector and government waste management agencies (57.66%). The focus to be on the increase in public awareness on the proper waste management practices (33.8%), training of waste mangers both in government and private agencies (31.5%), proper execution and implementation of waste management Acts (79.24%), giving of incentives and tax holidays to waste recyclers/ re-users (60.98%), proper solid waste disposal and treatment process/facilities (74.11%), and reduction in the rate of solid waste generation rate within the Nation (50.96%).