Uses of Seas Shells for Civil Construction Works in Coastal Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A Waste Management Perspective

摘要

Shell fish forms a great part of the diet of the coastal communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Owing to the consumption of shell fish and the disposal of the non-edible shells, waste shell abounds in many of the coastal cities of Nigeria. Meanwhile, communities in coastal Bayelsa State are challenged with the problem of erosion, flooding and the lack of civil construction materials particularly granite/chippings/gravels. Some communities in coastal Nigeria have started using the waste shell in civil construction activities. This study was carried out in ten selected coastal communities in Bayelsa State to find out about the various ways to which waste sea shells have been put to use using a combination focus group discussions and walk-through surveys. Result shows that the selected communities use waste sea shells for civil construction including building, pavement, gutters, foundation, filling, septic tank, grave site, shoreline protection etc. The utilization of waste shell that hitherto causes pollution for beneficial use in response to ecological constraints is a major plus for sustainable development.