A Survey of the Public Awareness on Environmental and Public Health Laws in Ebonyi State Nigeria

Abstract

The level of environmental degradation caused by human activities can no longer be absorbed by the environment. This has weighed negatively on the environment of which man is part of. For over decades[1], there has been some unfolding scenario of national efforts at industrialization, increase in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry and problems associated with consumption pattern of the populace in their overall interactions with matters of public health and environmental laws[2]. In an effort to checkmate the excesses of man that degrades the environment and encourage those aspects of man’s life that promotes a healthy environment and prevents diseases, environmental and public health laws were enacted. Regrettably, none of these laws have properly addressed environmental abuse and its related problems. This research therefore aimed at identifying the level of awareness on the existing environmental and public health laws in Nigeria particularly in Ebonyi State. To achieve this, a survey research method was adopted for this study. A total of 800 respondents comprising 500 stakeholders in the environmental and public health sectors, 200 employees of environmental and public health workers and 100 law enforcement agents were randomly selected from different geo-political zones that make up the state. Data collection was done using a self structured questionnaire titled Environmental and Public Health Laws Awareness Questionnaire (EPHLAQ) comprised of 15 question items. Data collected was analyzed using a four-scaled likert with criterion acceptance mean of 2.0. Findings revealed that the level of awareness on the existing environmental and public health laws in Nigeria particularly in Ebonyi state is very low and sanctions imposed on the defaulters of the environmental and public health laws were inadequate. Moreover, there is lack of resource to adequately address awareness need by the environmental and public health workers, health information technicians and the law enforcement agencies. It is therefore recommended among others, a heightened awareness on the existing environmental and public health laws in every sector of the economy, particularly in Ebonyi State, increase in human and material resources to adequately address awareness need in Nigeria and in particular, Ebonyi State and stiffer penalties imposed on offenders to deter intending defaulters.

Keywords: Survey, Public Awareness, Environmental and Public Health Laws.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/110-06

Publication date:June 30^th 2021

[1] Since the Nigerian Civil War which ended in 1970, Oil activities have increased in Nigeria and these activities has    led to Pollution, depleted the Ozone layer, and ultimately global warming.

[2] Bola Ajibola, “The Protection of the Nigerian Environment through Law” in F. Shyllon (ed).the Law and Environment in Nigeria (Ibadan Vantage) Publisher 1989 P.7