Assessment Of Perception On The Socio-Economic And Biophysical Impacts Of Dangote Cement Factory, Adea Berga District, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Environment is a major issue that confronts industry and business in the world today on a daily basis. Different industrial activities pollute various environmental components such as water, air, soil, and vegetation. The cement factory is one of the polluting industries in Ethiopia and particularly in the study area that pose a threat to the biotic environment, affecting vegetation, human health, animal health, and the ecosystem. This study aims to assessment on perception of socio-economic and biophysical of Dangote cement factory in the Adea Berga District. The study utilized a descriptive and explanatory data analysis method, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. The study involved 371 survey respondents in two-stage sample methods. The study used various methods including semi structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with triangulations to improve the data collected. The data has been analyzed through descriptive statistics and multi-criteria decisions model. The descriptive statistics found that the level of income, animal species living in the area, the quality of agricultural land, human health and immunity, culture or ideology change, loss of natural resources, beautiful landscape, land loss, accidents in the infrastructure of the respondents, air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, noise pollution, the flora of the area were used to analyze the data. The results of the multi-criteria decision model also showed that air quality (84.5%), economic issue (84.1%), social issue (74%), underground water (67%), surface water (64%), human health and humanity (63.9%), ecology (59.49%), land scape (58.3%), soil quality (56.6%) and surface construction (56%) were affecting cement factory. The study concluded that some environmental impacts were effective in the management of the Dangote cement factory in the study area, as well as the stockholder's declaration of accepted practice and policy. The study recommends the need for establish in sustainable management, land use plans, and conservation, as well as the avoidance of information. Moreover, some respondents reported that policies are in place to ensure economic sustainability. The participation of informal actors in the factory has significantly impacted socio-economic and biophysical factors. Therefore, the Environment Protection Authority, community, Agricultural Office and other concerned bodies should consider these influential factors to reduce of introduced impacted socioeconomic and biophysical factors and environmental quality