Institutional Arrangements for Environmental Sanitation Practices in Major Markets of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental sanitation and effective waste management remain critical challenges in public markets across many developing countries due to rapid urbanization, increasing commercial activities, and weak institutional coordination. This study examined the institutional arrangements for environmental sanitation and waste management in major markets of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, while also assessing the spatial distribution of the markets using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A descriptive survey research design incorporating quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 396 market users, field observations, Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys, and key informant interviews with relevant government agencies and market officials. Secondary data were obtained from policy documents, government reports, maps, and published literature. Descriptive statistics, GIS-based spatial analysis, and content analysis were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the selected markets were strategically distributed across the three senatorial districts and exhibited varying waste generation patterns associated with urban, semi-urban, and coastal economic activities. Although 70.5% of respondents acknowledged the existence of formal sanitation policies, inadequate funding (69.2%), limited trader participation in sanitation decision-making (55.8%), insufficient sanitation infrastructure, and weak private-sector involvement constrained effective waste management. Nevertheless, market users demonstrated relatively high participation in routine sanitation activities, including regular market clean-up exercises and payment of sanitation fees. The study concludes that strengthening institutional collaboration, improving financial support, expanding sanitation infrastructure, promoting stakeholder participation, and integrating GIS into environmental planning are essential for achieving sustainable market sanitation and waste management. The study provides empirical evidence to support policy reforms aimed at improving environmental governance and public health in market environments across Akwa Ibom State and comparable urban centres in sub-Saharan Africa.