Environmental Effect of Quarry Site on the Adjoining Neighborhood in Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the environmental impact of the quarry site on the adjoining neighbourhood in Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, and Oyo State. The healthy city concept provided an anchor for the research. The mixed-methods and cross-sectional survey research design were used. Primary and secondary data sources were used. Using systematic random technique, three hundred and eleven (311) copies of questionnaires were administered to households in the selected houses within 1km of a purposively selected quarry site. The variables that were investigated include the socio-economic characteristics, challenges associated with quarry sites, quarrying activities effect on human properties and psychological health, the coping mechanisms adopted by the people in the neighbourhood. The study revealed that residents of the neighbourhood close to the quarry site were faced with the following prevalent challenges; ground vibration as a result of blasting (FEI 4.81); noise from heavy machines, hauling and processing vehicles, as well as rock blasting (FEI 4.66); quarrying activities producing noise (FEI 4.23). Therefore, there should be more proactive measure in enforcing the environmental protection laws and regulations guiding the location of quarry sites.