SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE CONFECTIONERY INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN ADAMAWA STATE-NIGERIA

Stephen Pembi

Abstract

The consequences of confectionery industries’ activities on the environment leave the environment fairlypoor. These events originate by the discharge of waste as well as mining. Environmental degradation has been and continues to be a major factor causing damage to the environment, which affects the environmental productivity. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of the activities of small and medium scale confectionery enterprise on environmental quality in Adamawa state with specific reference to bakeries. The structured questionnaireswas administered on sample of one hundred and fifty (150) members of the public and fifty (50) workers of bakery industries from Mubi and Yola metropolis respectively to obtain data for the study. The data was subjected to percentage (%) analysis and the Z-test to analyse and test the hypotheses respectively. The result signifies that the bakery’s’ operators in Adamawa State are not aware of environmental laws and policies; majority of those who claimed to be aware of such laws and policies do not comply with them. They are more concerned with profit maximization than environmental protection. The study recommends that environmental impacts assessment should be made compulsory for industries whose operations have negative environmental impacts. In addition, training programs such as lectures and seminar on environmental management should be organized for the owners and employees of such industries. Wide public relation/publicity should be given to available environmental laws and policies in the state.