Development Communication Strategies of Taraba State Ministry of Waste Management and Innovation in Promoting Community Engagement in Plastic Waste Recycling
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This study examined the development communication strategies employed by the Taraba State Ministry of Waste Management and Innovation to promote plastic waste recycling and foster community engagement in Taraba State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-method approach, the study combined quantitative survey and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data. A sample size of 384 respondents, determined using Krejcie and Morgan's formula, was selected from three local government areas—Bali, Wukari, and Zing—using proportional sampling. Six key participants from the Ministry were interviewed for qualitative insights. The research aimed to assess the Ministry's strategies and their effectiveness in raising awareness, driving behavioral change, and improving recycling practices among residents. Findings reveal a mixed approach involving community meetings, radio and television broadcasts, workshops, and collaborations with community-based organizations. While these efforts have been effective in raising awareness and shaping perceptions, they have not significantly resulted in widespread behavioral change or improved recycling practices. Key challenges identified include language barriers, reliance on traditional media, underfunding, and a lack of continuous educational programmes. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancing digital engagement, incorporating strategies to drive behavioral change, strengthening collaborations with local stakeholders, addressing language barriers, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to optimize the Ministry’s communication efforts.
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