Examining Residents' Perceptions of Economic Losses Due to Flooding in Niger State

Abstract

Riverine areas of Niger State have suffered floods for decades; the four most recent ones were in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2018. These caused displacement of people from their usual dwelling places, resulting in varying impacts on infrastructure. crops, health, education, and environment as well as damage to properties. This paper examines the quantity of economic loss due to flooding in the riverine communities in Niger State. The study made use of both theoretical and investigative methods for collection of data from residents of riverine communities. Nine communities spread across the three geographical zones of the state were sampled. The sampled communities are Muregi, Gbajibo, Essan, Gurmana, Gusuru, Bere, Akere, Wushishi and Maito. Personal observation was carried out in the sampled communities and structural questionnaire was also Administered data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The findings show that most of the sampled households (94%) indicated that their crop fields were damaged by floods. It was also evident that most of the damaged crops were main staple crops such as rice, yam, sugar cane, plantains sorghum and millet. Only 6% of respondents said that flood did not affect their farm produce. The finding further reveals that most of the sampled households (64%) indicated that health facilities were damaged due to flooding of their communities. The study recommends that key stakeholders should engage communities in order for them to move permanently to higher ground, as they have expressed a willingness to relocate. The relocation should go with the provision of all the necessary amenities such as schools, hospitals, infrastructure, water and agriculture support for a period of three (3) years to enable the households to settle. Consideration should also be made to introduce alternative livelihood strategies in the new area of settlement.