Abstract:
Dire Dawa is geologically conducive for cement production in which it is endowed with large
limestone reserves. In terms of cement production, it is the historical centre of the Ethiopian
cement factory. The objective of this study was to investigate and conceptualize the geographical
survey of cement factory and determine the residents’ perception towards the effects of cement
factory on Sabiyan urban community residents in Dire Dawa Administration. Systematic random
sampling and purposive non-probability sampling techniques were employed. The Data was
collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews. In the study, 366
sample respondents were selected targeting the heads of urban household. The collected data
was analyzed by using SPSS software for Windows 19.0 to draw interpretations and conclusions.
The major findings of the study showed that the establishment of cement factory presented
socio-economic benefits to the surrounding community through creation of employment
opportunities and provision of healthcare facilities were 17.76% and 20.77% respectively.
However, local people and the factory blamed each other for the slow pace of development being
realized. The impact of dust deposition is significantly high on the ground and human population
as well as the wastewater discharge and liquid effluents create favorable conditions for the
reproduction of water born diseases causing malaria which threat to human health. This was
confirmed by 89% and 85.5% of the sampled households respectively. The findings also revealed
that the oil, grease, diesel and gas leakages and high noise levels during limestone blasting in
the quarry from where the raw material mined and cement production operation 75.7% and 80%
were the major challenges to the urban community particularly, the residents who live and work
in congested compounds around the factory site. Based on the findings of this study, it is
recommended that the factory must adopt effective environmental management tools, use of
improved and cleaner production technologies to control dust depositions to enhance wholesome
benefits accrued by the local people. In order to improve the factory's waste management
service, sewage treating station should be established in factory site to control the wastewater
prior to discharge into the surrounding environment. This will significantly improve the life of
the surrounding households. Moreover, the Dire Dawa City Administration, particularly its
Health Office, Environmental Protection Authority and Urban Development and Management
Office has to make efforts to closely monitor the operation of cement factory and take the
necessary measures in the environmental protection in its endeavors to create a clean and
healthy urban environment.
