Negative externality issues from the operations of home based enterprises (HBEs) in Aba Urban, Abia State, Nigeria

Home Based Enterprises (HBEs) are seen as having potential for providing employment for the urban poor. They demonstrate evidence of entrepreneurship among urban residents and a wide range of trades come within the umbrella of the HBEs. However the activities of HBEs pollute the immediate environment of where they operate. Surprisingly very little research seems to have gone into this aspect of HBE activities in Nigeria. Using empirical data from Aba urban, Abia State, Nigeria, this paper identifies the nature of solid waste and pollution from the activities of the HBEs. While about 65% of the neighbours to the HBE operations fail to complain about the negative consequences of these activities, they however have some novel ideas on how to better manage these externalities.

Keywords:

Incompatible activities , Noise from electric generators , Disposal of solid waste , Property rights