CONFLICT RESOLUTION THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL INTEREST GROUPS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION IN APATA

Abstract

A successful self-help programmes in a community depends on the cooperation of its members. Cooperation is absent in a situation where no records of collaborative action and little sign of community organisation. The interaction of African townsmen in transitional communities has been little studied. This study examines the background and inter-action processes in Apata-Ganga, a transitional community in South-West Ward of Ibadan Municipality. As a transitional community, the tradition is fast giving way to new modes of life. Therefore it is faced with some conflicts arising from leadership and power tussle, intra and inter groups rivalry. These cause setbacks to affective members participation and involvement in self-help projects which are of public health significance. The unique nature of the study called for a sampling frame which was constructed by classifying the various community units of identity into three groups viz: The traditional leaders, Landlords Associations, and Ethnic groups' representatives. On the whole, the population involved in the study was 92. Only adults male and female who have lived in the area for five or more years were interviewed. The instruments used consisted of observation schedule and interview guide. With the observation schedule, the social activities carried on in the community and general environmental problems related to refuse disposal were assessed. The interview guides which were prepared in the form of questionnaires included both closed and open ended questions, were used to obtain in depth information about the problem-conflict. The results were analysed using percentages.The respondents were predominantly Yorubas. Although the people engaged in diversified occupations yet, a large number of the people do trading. Discrepancies exist in the social, economic and educational status of the chiefs, the landlords and ethnic groups representatives. The influence, respect or authority which the individual commands in the community is dependent to a large extent on the social, economic and educational status of such individual. On the identification of the sources and types of conflicts which contribute to the poor standard of environmental sanitation in the area , the row over, the table of Baale, and its aftermath was conspicuous. In addition, refusal of landowners to give out land for location of refuse dumps and Ibadan Municipal Government's unwillingness to make its acquired land at Adifase as authorized depot which it used to be were also contributive. These resulted in indiscriminate dumping of refuse and location of unauthorised dumps on people's premises. Based on these findings, a health education strategy- locality development was evolved to deal with the situation. This led to the formation of a Welfare Council in the community. The Council decided to employ a private contractor to collect and dispose of refuse in Apata Communty weekly. The only authorized refuse depot and several other unauthorised dumps were abrogated. So the indiscriminate dumping of refuse near people's houses were checked.