Administration of Flood Disasters Mitigation Strategies in Riverine Communities in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The problem of flooding in several communities in Niger State is becoming more worrisome and efforts and strategies at reducing the impact have become more costly with unsatisfactory outcomes. This study therefore, seeks the assessment of the administration of flood disaster mitigation strategies in riverine communities in Niger State. The specific objectives of the study were to identify  the flood mitigation measures adopted in the study area, find out if the administration of flood mitigation methods have been effective in the study area; and know the challenges and prospects of effective administration of flood mitigation measures in three selected riverine communities of Mokwa, Rijau and Shiroro from the three Senatorial Zones of the State, with a total population of 983623 and a sample size of 400. The sample size was determined using 1967 Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. Findings from the study revealed that various mitigation strategies have been used over the years but without much impact due to poor awareness and community engagement and responses during flood disasters. The study concludes that the rate and impact of flood disasters in the selected riverine communities could be reduced if effectively administered through productive community awareness, engagement and quick responses during flood disasters. The recommendations are that, the communities should be productively engaged in the administration of the various flood mitigation strategies for quick and adequate responses during flood disasters.

Keywords: Flood, Disaster, Mitigation Strategies, Disaster Administration and Productive engagement