Environmental Federalism and the Role of Local Government In Controlling Industrial Pollution: the Case of Sebeta City Administration, Oromia National Regional State
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University,
Abstract
Despite various environmental problems in our country, this study focused on the industrial
pollution of HAFDE tannery and Balezaf Alcohol located in Sebeta city administration. The city
is characterised by large number of manufacturing industries. The communities in the city are
living side by side with more of these industries. This lack of appropriate industrial zone,
inefficient waste desposal method and lack of effective implementation of EIA law in regulatory
body are causing various health problems on the communities as they are highly exposed to
industrial pollution. Local government is the closest regulatory body in controlling industrial
pollution.
The objective of this paper is to analyze the perceived and actual health problems of industrial
pollution, waste management practice of the two industries, the legal framework for intervention
mechanisms and the role of local government in controlling industrial pollution, The study
employed case study design and used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data
collection. In order to achieve the objective of the study, literatures were reviewed, and
questionnaire, key informant interview and Observation were used as main research
instruments. The result has indicated that the industries are not properly managing their wastes
and dispose them to nearby environment without any treatment. As a result the different types of
wastes from the two industries in the area are affecting the health of the communities. Cough,
sinus, bronchitis, asthma, skin and eye problems are the commonly experienced problems by the
communities of the area of the two industries. Most of the residents are perceived that these
health problems are attributed to industrial pollution. The result has also indicated that, the
local government bodies have not been taken satisfactory measures to solve the problem due to
internal and external problems. Thus, giving awareness to factory owners about the critical
problem of industrial pollution, encouraging the industries to treat their wastes and use best
available technologies, regular monitoring and inspection of industries, improving the
institutional capacity of environmental protection organs and strengthening the coordination
between relevant institutions are recommended to solve the problem.
Description
Keywords
Environmental Federalism, Local government, Industrial pollution