Assessment of Consumption Rate of Solid Biomass Fuels and the Consequent Environmental Impact in Maiduguri Metropolis

A proper assessment of the rate of unsustainable consumption of biomass fuel is important to determine the extent of the consequent environmental effects. In this paper, an evaluation was made of the rate of fuelwood (firewood and charcoal) consumption in Maiduguri metropolis, the capital of Borno state in Nigeria. Firewood and charcoal are the main solid biomass fuels consumed in Maiduguri city, in addition to rarely used animal dung, thatch, leaves, etc. These fuels are usually used in households, markets and industries for cooking, roasting and bakery activities. To quantify the rate of consumption of these fuels in Maiduguri (and their eventual negative effects), data were collected on the rate of supply of the biomass along highways leading to the city. The result shows a total consumption rate of 366 t/day of solid biomass fuel, with firewood accounting for 288 t/day and charcoal makes up the remaining 78 t/day. This fuelwood consumption rate is around 0.15% of the national figure. The resulting emissions of CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, SO₂, NOx, NMVOC, CO, NH₃, PM10 and PM2.5 in kg/day are 433,488, 2160, 46, 83, 394, 2796, 34,699, 19.01, 5031 and 4884 respectively. Emissions of greenhouse gases stood at 497 t COe/day or 181,314 t CO₂/year. A strategic shift to cleaner stoves and low carbon fuels is feasible and will enhance sustainable energy use.