Flooding and Livelihoods in Rural Households in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The issue of flooding has been alarming over the years, and in recent times, its impact on human activities has been more severe. This study examined flooding and livelihoods in rural households in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. The theoretical framework was the systems theory. It relates the physical environmental problem of flooding and its impact on humans. With a sample size of 400, data were collected using both primary and secondary sources. The primary source was a structured questionnaire, while the secondary sources were textbooks, journals, periodicals, etc. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study show that flooding is a perennial problem in the study area. The devastating effects of flooding have caused environmental degradation and the destruction of traditional livelihoods. The study also established that the livelihood of those mostly affected are farmers and fishers due to the destruction of farmlands, pollution of river waters and destruction of forest resources by flood, leading to a decline in agricultural production, scarcity of some crops, poverty and migration. The study, amongst others, recommended that the government and necessary agencies should provide adequate camps (IDP camps), with adequate facilities for the victims whose houses are submerged by flood, till the flood recedes. The government should also give compensation, grants or financial assistance to enable the victims to cope after the flood, due to the destruction of their means of livelihood.