ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT OF QUARRY SITE WITHIN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD OF ARAB ROAD KUBWA, ABUJA

Abstract

The study take cognizance of the necessary prevailing impact of those activities of the identified industrial company within the study area on buildings and health of residents situated within. The study identified those industries which are quarry sites (ZERBERCED). To carry out the study, a well-structured 300 questionnaires were issued out to the household within the study area, in which 260 was able to be retrieved for the study, and also recognizance survey was conducted with the use of photograph and as well interview, further environmental study variables were obtained through several instruments such as gas meter and water sample test, as well as geospatial study through Geographical Information System (GIS).  In the cause of the study, we discovered that the quarry sites was very close to the residential houses, the distance observed was less than 50meters afar and 1.1km from Kubwa relocation market, the activities of the industries has caused serious damages on the roads, even the structure of many residential houses do experience crack as a result of the blast or explosion, this triggered noise pollution and dust within the neighbourhood 67Decibel (dB), higher than permissible level for residential which is approved to be between 30dB to 50dB for such type of neighbourhood. Ground water testing reveal permissive level of acidic but biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) value and nitrate value are high in the study area (0.08 mg/l and 73mg/1) which are injurious to health. But another finding is that these effect has not really affected the value of the properties negatively within the study location, in which as a result of constant electricity many people prefer to move in to the neighbourhood having high demand within the property market. It is therefore concluded that the structure of the property within the study area is being affected by the activities of the industries but the value is increasing even with the negative effect on the water body and direct impact on health. The study therefore recommend that immediate review of activities of the quarry should be carried out and also the land use of the study area should be review to safeguard the wellbeing of the residential properties and the people.