The transportation and marketing implications of sand and gravel and its environmental impact in Lome-Togo

Abstract

Proper infrastructure is a crucial factor for the s ocio-economic development of a country. Suburbs of Agouényivé, Adidogomé, and Banguida in Lome once sp arsely populated, are now experiencing large influx of people causing environmental problems. Th roughout Togo, sand and gravel is widely exploited as aggregate for construction. If river mining of s and is not carefully controlled it can cause signif icant damage to the ecosystem and the environment as a wh ole. The socio-economic and environmental impact of sand and gravel mining in Togo is not wel l known and there is little research work on select ed river systems. Here a method is proposed for an eff ective regulation of in stream sand and gravel mining operations so as to balance and reduce the c onflict between the gains of sand and gravel extraction and the environmental management. The ac tivities of miners, transporters, and laborers who are involved in quarrying of sand and gravel in the cantons of Adétikopé, Mission Tové of Zanguéra and Kégué that supply sand and gravel to Lome and its s urroundings are critical evaluated. However, this research reveals the vast inequalities and social i njustices that lie behind this lucrative activity o f sand gravel quarrying.