Performance of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Improving Quality of Urban Environment
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The aim of the paper was to assess performance of CBOs in improving Quality of urban environment in Mabwepande neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam. The paper utilizes data of the study which was carried out in Mabwepande neighbourhood. The study gathered data on socio-economic characteristics of respondents, collection of solid wastes from houses to the transfer collection point, quantity of solid wastes generated and disposed per day, quality of environment, Community Based Organisation’s operation costs, revenue collection, and constraints hindering effective collection of solid wastes. The paper discusses the performance of CBOs in improving quality of urban environment in Mabwepande neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam following floods occurred in 2011 along Msimbazi valley. The floods led to loss of life, property and destruction of the environment. People were shifted from Msimbazi valley to Mabwepande neighbourhood as a voluntary and humanitarian action aimed at protecting the residents from floods. In Mabwepande 272 respondents were selected. Ten 10 respondents were key informants who were selected purposively and 262 were respondents picked randomly. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. Computer Software, IBM Statistics Software (SPSS Version 20) was used to analyze data. The paper ascertains that performance of CBOs in improving quality of the urban environment was not satisfactory. Residents pointed out that collection of solid wastes has been outweighed by rate of generation of the waste. Concerning Community Based Organisation’s operation costs, it was found that operation costs was almost equate to revenue collected thus a possibility of not been able to sustain the CBOs activities. Lastly, it was learnt that the environment was characterized by bad ordour, unpleasant vista, and breeding of flies, mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches. The paper recommends to actors to join efforts in improving quality of the environment in Mabwepande.