Intergovernmental Relations and Solid Waste Management in Enugu Metropolis

Solid waste management in Nigerian urban centres remains a persistent public health and environmental governance challenge, often complicated by fragmented responsibilities across federal, state, and local government tiers. This study examines how intergovernmental relations shape solid waste management outcomes in Enugu Metropolis, assessing coordination mechanisms between the Enugu State Government and Enugu South, Enugu East, and Enugu North Local Government Areas. The study is anchored on the Cooperative Federalism Theory, which advocates collaborative relationships among government tiers for the resolution of cross-cutting public policy problems. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population included officials of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority, local government environmental officers, and residents of the three LGAs, from which 270 respondents were sampled using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings reveal that jurisdictional ambiguity, inconsistent funding from state to local governments, and inadequate equipment contribute to poor waste collection efficiency. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with collection frequency and dump site management. The study concludes that effective solid waste management in Enugu Metropolis requires a clearly delineated intergovernmental framework supported by consistent financial and technical cooperation. It is recommended that the Enugu State Government establish a formal intergovernmental waste management committee with defined roles, budgetary allocations, and performance benchmarks for all participating tiers.

Keywords: Intergovernmental Relations, Solid Waste Management, Cooperative Federalism, Urban Governance, Enugu