Flood risk and flood management in Nigeria: Coping strategies for residents of Cross River State

Abstract

The paper examined flood risk and flood management in Nigeria with reference to the coping strategies of the residents of flooding in Cross River State. Data were obtained using questionnaire and interviews. A total of 400 copies of questionnaire were administered proportionally to residents of the study area. The multi-stage random sampling was used in selecting the sample area. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in carrying out the analysis. Therefore, frequencies, simple percentages, averages (mean) and Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) were used in carrying out analysis. The study showed that there is a positive relationship between flood control measures and the level of effectiveness. It was also identified that the development of water drainage channels was the most common approach used for the control of flood risks in the study area. The residents also rely on flood prediction by government agencies while they also discourage indiscriminate waste dumping and encourage aforestation. Of all the measures used, the most effective was observed to be the development of drainage facilities. Apart from the prediction of flood possibilities by relevant agencies, other measures were mostly observed to be funded individually and collaboratively by the communities. Based on the  effectiveness of the approaches, it was recommended among others that the government should strike partnerships with the residents in expanding the measures used for flood control in the area.