Hazard Assessment and Implementation Strategies for Mitigating of Flood and Erosion in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract There are notching unresolved issues and environmental hazards traceable to flood and erosion in major rural areas and notable communities in Nigeria. Researchers’ efforts on erosion control and flood mitigation have not yielded notable fruits due to inadequate planning and implementation strategies. Maintenance of roads and other infrastructures are the bed rock of any development round the globe. This paper assessed recent occurrence of flood and erosion. The study examined the causes, urban and regional planning of the affected area, construction practices, damages and maintenance practices. Questionnaires, field study and interview of experts were wont to elicit information from people within the affected location, officials from state and native government agencies charged with rehabilitation of affected areas. The research finding revealed that there are inadequate drainage systems, lack of enforcement of plan, corruptions, failure of systems, poor supervision, construction malpractices, lackadaisical attitude and lack of maintenance culture. Implementation strategies were highlighted to avert flood and erosion ravaging several areas of the country. The paper concluded that stakeholders, researchers, engineers should partner with government agencies within the planning, construction, management and maintenance of rural and concrete drainages for adequate funding and sustainable construction. It is recommended that strategies for alleviating flood and erosion should be implemented supported latest technology for sustainable infrastructural development. Periodic hazard assessment should be planned in various geopolitical zones especially Lagos, Niger delta and rain forest region of Nigeria. Land use control, landscape maintenance, weather stations, proper enforcement of construction works consistent with plan should be strategically put in situ for effective monitoring and alleviation of flood and erosion in Nigeria.