Assessment of the Compatibility of Abattoir and Residential Land Uses in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assesses the compatibility of abattoir and residential land uses in Jos metropolis, Nigeria by examining the spatial locations of abattoirs, and determining and examining the level of compliance of the abattoirs with the requirements for their establishment. The targeted households considered reside between 1 and 200 meters away from the abattoirs. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select 220 respondents from an estimated 2200 household heads to form the sampled population. The instruments of data collection were questionnaires, satellite images, ArcGIS, physical observation, GPS device and camera. The Data collected were both qualitative and quantitative. Data were analysed using multiple analytical methods and presented in figure and plates. The study revealed that, major abattoirs (Giring and Bukuru) existed on site before residential buildings swamped the areas. Gyel and Yanshanu abattoirs sprang up immediately after the Jos civil unrest in residential areas despite their incompatibility. The results revealed that all the all the Abattoirs did not follow the standard for siting as they were located within residential areas. Twenty-seven (27%) of the houses are (200m) away with 44% of the residents having spent more than 16 years in the neighborhoods; 85% experienced disturbing smell in their environment as the predominant pollution is air pollution, this was attested by 46%. The fact that the abattoirs are located within residential neighborhoods shows clearly their incompatibility. Based on the results obtained, recommendations were made and a framework developed for a specific spatial location and operation of abattoirs within permissible radius to provide information for policy makers, practitioners and the academia.