Evaluation of Factors Influencing Environmental Quality of Slum Settlements in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study aimed at evaluating the factors influences environmental quality of slum settlement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The main objective of this study is to make necessary recommendations to the government and relevant stake holders on important factors that can enhance the environmental quality of slum settlements in Port Harcourt. This research employed collecting and observing samples from populations in order to examine the incidence, distribution or effect of a phenomena without manipulating variable, a purpose sampling design was adopted in selecting the respondents in the chosen study areas which were Diobu (Elechi beach), Marine Base and Eagle Island. In this study, a total of 400 well-structured questionnaires, 133 for each study area, containing both open and closed ended questions were used to elicit information on the identification of the key factors that enhance environmental quality of standard slums and compare with present realities of slum settlements in Port-Harcourt. During the study, the sample size of the population was determined using the Z Score sampling method for unknown population. Descriptive statistics was adopted in the study involving percentages, bar chats, tables and mean to analyse all the data, observations and information collected. Results showed that except in Marine Base, majority of the slum dwellers disposed wastes into the surrounding rivers. Findings showed that that majority disagreed with the assertion of availability of proper drainage in the slums systems especially in Eagle Island and Diobu (Elechi Beach). Furthermore, majority in the study locations responded that kitchens are not available in the buildings. The study concluded that the toilets shared by people, availability of proper drainage systems, waste disposal/ storage methods and availability and quality of kitchens are the major factors influencing the environmental quality of slum settlements in Port Harcourt and these have indeed affected the lifestyle of residents of those areas. It is therefore recommended that stakeholders and residents should provide good and quality water systems in the apartments of the slum areas; the dwellers should reduce environmental pollution that exacerbate public health menaces in the area; and health organizations should educate the residents on the consequences of a poor environmental quality and the benefits that would suffice in a healthy environment.