The Effects of Coastal Flooding in Nembe Local Government Areas Within Bayelsa State Nigeria
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The broad objective of the study will be to determine the effects of Coastal Flooding in nembe local government areas within bayelsa State Nigeria. Specifically the study seeks to:
- Determine the likely causes of Coastal Floodingin the selected study area
- Examine the Availability and condition of drainage system selected study area
- Determine if man’s activities induces Coastal Floodingin the selected study area
- Determine the Effects of Coastal Flooding incidence in the selected study area
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual review
Coastal Flooding, although a common phenomenon all over the world is more rampant and distressing in the developing countries like Nigeria (Andjelkovic, 2001). This occurrence has become major issues of concern in the development of the nation as the frequencies of such occurrences and the magnitude of the losses in terms of lives and properties are now becoming startling (Oyebande, 1983). Consequently, many researchers (Montoya Morales, 2002; Carlos, 2006; Tinh and Hang, 2003; Petak and Atkisson, 1982; Adedeji, 2008; Adedeji, 2010; Andjelkovic, 2001; Oyebande, 1983; Oyebande, 1990 among others) have delved into the subject matter to analyze the underlying factors (Kundezeweiz, 1998) responsible for the incidences as well as preventive measures to ameliorate the same (Oriola, 1994).
Coastal Flooding is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land (Wikipedia.org). The European Union (EU) Coastal Floodings directive (2007), defines a Coastal Flooding as a temporary covering by water of land that is not normally covered by water. In the sense of “flowing water”, the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. This water comes from the overflow of sea, lakes, rivers, canals, sewers or from rainwater.
Coastal Flooding is normally caused by natural weather events such as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over a short period, prolonged rainfall or extensive rainfall. It can also be caused by high tide combined with stormy conditions. It is predicted that climate change will increase the risk of Coastal Flooding in the UK and other parts of the world (Petak and Atkisson, 1982). Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries (2004, p. 1) also reported that “risk is also experienced when there is heavy downpour or portion of rainfall or thawing snow flows overland away from the area it originally precipitated, this is called runoff”. Odunuga et al. (2018, p. 367) also established “that Coastal Flooding occurs when there is overflow of urban drainages over the streets to extent that it cannot be absorbed by earth surface and consequently results to property damage, traffic obstruction and nuisance as well as health hazards”.
Coastal Flooding may also result from overflowing of a great body of water over land and extreme hydrological events or an unusual presence of water on land to a depth which affects normal activities (Olajuyigbe, 2018; and PointBlankNews.com). It also occurs as a result of combination of meteorological and hydrological extremes as well as activities of man on drainage basin (Adeaga, 2008). Coastal Floodings often cause damage to homes and businesses if they are located in natural Coastal Flooding plains of rivers (Tinh and Hang, 2003).
The effects of Coastal Flooding on man cannot be overemphasized because it cut across all spheres of man’s life. This includes man’s physical environment, man’s health and agriculture products. Coastal Flooding, depending on its volume and velocity can damage any type of structure, including bridges, cars, buildings, sewerage systems, roadways, and canals. It can also result into contamination of water. The consequence of this is unhygienic condition in the affected areas making the victims vulnerable to water-borne diseases such as; cholera, dysentery, typhoid.Crops and food supplies are often affected and consequently resulting to shortage of food crops resulting from loss of entire harvest. Its effect is also obvious on trees thereby causing non-tolerant species to die from suffocation. It also affects transportation system by destroying transport links. Conversely, lowlands near rivers depend upon river silt deposited by Coastal Floodings to improve the nutritional value to the local soil.
The devastating consequences of Coastal Flooding are enormous.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we will describe the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher will employ the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study will be carried out to examine The effects of Coastal Flooding in nembe local government areas within bayelsa State Nigeria. Selected Areas in Nembe local government area will form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
The chapter presents the data collected from the researcher’s survey using questionnaire as the research instrument. The scope of the study covered seven locations in Nembe LGA with cases of Coastal Flooding. However due to the limitations stated above only 5 locations where used for this study. The researcher administered 50 questionnaires to residents of this area. the researcher achieved a 100% return rate this is due to the fact that the researcher had to wait to collect the questionnaire immediately the respondents where done filling it.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
Water will always find it own path if not channelized by man. The need to research into the causes of flood and provide adequate flood management strategies is an aspect of environmental management that planners must pay ample attention to if they want to make the environment a haven. The improvement of roads and accessibility of cities, provision of funds and equipments for disaster management agencies is critical to abating disasters in the Nigerian urban environment and even in the rural areas too. In both the developed and developing world, the problems associated with flooding constitute a growing hazard to human activities as population densities increase.
Although, studies conducted in different areas, have shown that, a hundred percent (100%) success may not always be achieved in eradication of flooding problems especially in urban environment yet, their damaging effects can be mitigated through management measures that are carefully designed by government or affected communities. These must be effectively and economically supervised and funded.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of this study, the research recommends possible solutions that would accommodate immediate remedial and preventive measures to minimizing flood problems observed in the study area. Therefore, the following measures are recommended:
- There is a need for provision of standard infrastructural facilities by the government. These facilities include good surface drainage, potable water supply for consumption and other supporting facilities.
- Repair and construction of these drainages where necessary should be embarked on to further ease the flow of storm water. Also, excavation of solid waste and other deposits which are present in the existing canals.
- There should be improvement in technology on how local building material can be subsidized so as to make structures flood resistant. Likewise, roofing materials should be improved upon to avoid building and structural collapse.
- Environmental sanitation program must be made compulsory and appropriate agency should be vested with the power to punish residents who fail to adhere to the rule of sanitation. There should be fines and penalties for people who fail to comply with the sanitation program.
- Public enlightenment programmes should be organized to educate the public on the dangers of flood disaster and its causes as a result of the habit of throwing and dumping refuse in gutters, drainage paths and river channels. There is also need for government to set up various information programmes to educate the masses on how to respond to flood disaster.
- In order to reduce the risk of flood, the government should provide adequate funding for disaster management bodies and agencies to enable them perform and execute their duties effectively and efficiently. This will go a long way in checking the problem of flood occurrence in isabo abeokuta local government.
- Strict flood control legislation is required to check unplanned encroachment on urban plains and should be enforced within the study area. Regulatory agencies are required to restrict development in floodprone areas. This measure can be used to avoid flood rather than control it.
- Resettlement of population can be done when all flood mitigation measures do not seems to work. This measure may be expensive because alternative land and houses in some cases will have to be allocated to each household that is being resettled.
- The road network in the study area lacks drainage system to the extent that water overflow on the road during heavy rainfall. Thus, the state government along with the local government should embark on the construction of wide and deep drainage system that can withstand heavy water flow.
- Quality materials should be used for the construction of drainages and bridges.
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