ABSTRACT

The industrial sector is one of the main drivers of economic growth and development but it also have significant environmental implications. This study aims to examine implications of industrial set-up on the environment, in Douala-Bonaberi, specifically in Ekomite-bonaberi, Ndobo, Terrain Terrencia, and Bojongo, the Littoral Region of Cameroon. The study specifically aims to ascertain the following; To identify the causes of industrial set up, To examine the  problems faced by the environment related to industrial set up, To assess the possible solutions in order to prevent impact of industrial set up on the environment.Concerning methodology for this study, the instrument used for the collection of data for the purpose of this research was questionnaire. The five point Likert scale was used in structuring the questionnaire.The target population for this study consists of people in Douala-Bonaberi around Ekomite-bonaberi, Ndobo, Terrain Terrencia, and Bojongo in CameroonRandom sampling technique was used in this study. The sample size determined for this study was sixty (60) people selected in Douala-Bonaberi. The statistical analysis adopted was correlation. All computations requiring the use of data analysis technique were accessed by a computer statistical software package called SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).The study has the following findings; Impact of industry set-up on an environment has been identified to be an important area that requires much concentration as industries has adverse effect on the environment where they are situated. More so, for effective realization of a good value for money and industry buildings that are cost effective, viable and feasible enough, various construction management techniques needed to be employed as evident from the result of the study carried out to various professionals in the construction field. Also, the use of industry management techniques is vital as it improves the environment and the industry especially in the study area.This study reveals the negative impact of the industrial setup on environment where  Douala-Bonaberi industrial area is taken as  reference. This study sort to identify the impacts of industrial set up and how these impacts can be reduced or eliminated completely.The study provides insight policy makers, industrialists, and other relevant stakeholders to design strategies that promote sustainable industrial development and minimize environmental degradation.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0. Introduction

This chapter compromises of the background of study, the statement of the research problem which explains the main issue at stake as concerning ” Impact of industrial set-up on the environment”.  It will also consist of the research questions, objectives, hypothesis, and the significance of the study, the scope of the study, the study area, the operational definition of terms and chapter layout.

1.1 Background of the study

Industrialization is the process that takes an agricultural economy and transforms it into a manufacturing one. The process has historically led to urbanization by creating economic growth and job opportunities that draw people to cities. Development of industries is the utmost important to man in modern world. In fact, their development is considered to be and index of country’s economic prosperity and strength. But to set up an industry is not as simple and easy as it seem. A number of factors are used to locate and industrial setup. Tikla-Bali-Sekhon (1993) in his book mentioned some of the factors which determine the location of industries. According to him the location of manufacturing industries depends upon a number of geographical and economic factors. These factors are known as factors of localization of industries or agglomeration of industries. The most important factors are:Raw material, source of power, means of transportation and market.

Other factors like climate, government policies, capital, water, land etc. from the preceded statement we can visualize that to establish an industry have to pass through all those factors. The prominent urban and peri-urban land uses are residential, commercial, industrial and transportation, and it has been argued that residential takes the largest percentage of about 60% of any urban land use, industrial use has been assigned 10 percent of the city land use (Herbert/Thomas, 1982, oduwaiye, 2001, obateru, 2004). The percentage of industrial land use in any area might look small relatively to other land uses; it’s impact on the socio-economic milieu of the neighborhood is very enormous. The percentage of industrial land use in any urban area might look small relatively to other land uses; its impact on the socio-economic milieu of the neighborhood is very enormous. Industrialization brought with it economic expansion-expansion of local employment, expansion of service industries and the local market. Areas where industries are located also experience provision of infrastructure for the population such as roads, health and education services. The cumulative effect of these innovations is the transformation of the established structure of the immediate society. The purpose of industrial development of any region though is to provide opportunities of better living and employment to the people, the possibilities of adverse effects on the environment also increased if their adverse effects are not properly contained or reduced to minimum. Thus, there occurs a situation in which the material goods increase but the quality of life deteriorates. Several studies have been conducted within and outside Nigeria on the impact of industrial wastes and chemical contaminants on soil, air and water pollutions and their attendant health hazards (Ogoke, 1980; Tripathi et al., 1990; Lahiry, 1996; Ana et al., 2005; Udia, 2005). However, not much has been done on the impact of industrialization or i nondustrial land use on neighborhood property values. The few literature on the subject matter include Bello and Bello (2005a) on the valuation of environmental contaminated properties, Bello (2005b) on environmental contamination and urban property values, and Ogendengbe and Oyedele (2006) on effect of waste management on property values in Ibadan. It is therefore expedient to do a critical examination on the effects of industrial land use on the neighborhood property values. Knowledge of this study would help in understanding how an increased effort on industrial development would affect the existing pattern of land use.

The peculiarities of human existence and economic activity have been a source of environmental variability from all over the world. The industrial Revolution, which began in 1750, is considered the introduction of climate change. Carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions are significantly lower than before the inauguration of industrialization. Green House Gas (G H G) concentration are significantly higher than they were at the beginning of the industrial era, meaning atmospheric Co2 concentrations have reached 409.8ppm (part per million) in 2019, higher than at any point in at least the past 800,000years (Lindsey 2020). The Co2 concentration was 280ppm before the industrial Revolution and it has fluctuated between 180 and 280ppm over the last few centuries. It has been seen that in the period of 1950s His figure was higher by about 0.7ppm per year, and over the post 10years. It has increased even more to 2.1ppm per year (NOAA,2013). In the past few years, developing countries have stepped up their efforts to achieve approval of industrial sector reform and very rapid growth in energy consumption for the production of goods and services (Nazlioglu et al. 2011, Solarinet al.2017).

 The preservation and conservation of the environment is an initiative to emphasize because due to industrial revolution, man’s aggression against nature has become very significant. In developing countries, the environmental problem is more accurate in terms of the imbalance between natural resources (water, soil, sub soil etc.) and population growth. The situation is accentuated by the degradation of the environment physically or biochemically. However, some industries have opted for products that are environmentally friendly.

The city of Douala, considered the economic capital, converges almost all the national industrial production system. The industries in and around city have become veritable environmental vandals that discharge their effluent (solid or liquid) directly into nature without prior treatment or precaution. Indeed very few industrial units are equipped with treatment.

Plants, although law N0.96-12 of 05 August 1996 on environmental management in Cameroon stipulates in it’s article 42 section F of chapter B that : “Waste must be treated in an environmentally sound manner in order to eliminate or reduce it’s adverse effects on human health, natural resources. Fauna and flora and on the quality of environment in general.

It is now indisputable that the industrialization of Africa, particularly Cameroon, must proceed rapidly in order to satisfy the basic needs of it’s inhabitants. Nevertheless, this industrialization ought to be carefully planned to avoid serious environmental problems. The AZUR-Yassa, industrial zone of Bonaberi and the Abattoir of Bonendavie are among the polluted sites of the city of Douala. Industries seen in these sites do not possess waste treatment plants and discharge their effluents directly into the environment without prior treatment.

1.2 Problem of statement

Manufacturing industries has a potential to bring the advantages to human life, but it can cause the draw bases to environment such as air, water and land pollution. Despite the growing public concern and increasing political rhetoric most actions have been relatively ineffective in dealing with the problem. According to Asangwe (2006) who focused on environmental pollution of Douala Lagoon due to handling of significant amount of oil. He suggested that “the Bonaberi industrial zone complex has encroached into the Lagoon itself. It becomes clearly evident that this situation most likely provoked increase discharge of effluent into the Bonaberi district in the Douala metropolis in terms of population density and spatial extent the consequences becomes of disaster magnitude.

In brief, the activity of manufacturing industry contributed a lot of pollution to the enlargement. Industries operating in Douala discharge untreated and toxic effluents directly on open residential land and into canals, streams, and rivers which leads to deterioration in water quality and the health of the ecosystem. According to Rinkesh (2016), it should stop happening from now because it’s one of the biggest killers.

Thus, the significance of this study that can give the information to environment agency on how to reduce the pollution to zero effect and also improve the ecology to our environment.Therefore, the objective of study which required identifying the impact of industrial setup on the environment in Douala-Bonaberi and how to solve the industrial pollution problem.

1.3  Research Questions

1.3.1  Main Question

What are the implications of industrial set up on the environment in Doual-Bonaberi?

1.3.2  Specific Questions

• What are the causes of Industrial set up in Douala-bonaberi?
• What are the problems faced by the environment related to industrial setup in Douala Bonaberi?
• What are the possible solutions in order to prevent implication of industrial set-up in Douala-Bonaberi?

1.4  Objectives of the Study

1.4.2  Main Objectives

 To assess the implication of industrial set-up on the environment in Douala-Bonaberi

1.4.3  Specific Objectives

• To identify the causes of Industrial set up in Douala-Bonaberi.
• To examine the problems faced by the environment related to industrial set-up in Douala-Bonaberi.
• To assess the possible solution in order to prevent impact of industrial set up to the environment in Douala-Bonaberi.

1.5  Research Hypothesis

H0: Industrial set-up have no significant implication on the environment.

H1: Industrial set-up have significant implication on the environment.

1.6  Scope of study

This research work is on the implication on industrial setup on the environment. It is carried out in Douala the Littoral Region of Cameroon using Bonaberi industrial zone specifically around Ekomite-bonaberi, Ndobo, Terrain Terrencia, and Bojongo to other industries.  This is because of the representative nature of the industries in this area and proximity to the researcher. Industries where established between 1977-1987 which brought about environmental impact.