ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION IN GUYUK LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA SATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed indigenous knowledge of Flood Risk Reduction in Guyuk Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are; to identify the indigenous knowledge of flood risk reduction in the area; examine people’s perception on adoption of indigenous knowledge on flood risk reduction in the; assess the incidence of flood in the area; examine the risk associated with flooding in the area and to determine effective strategies for the adoption of indigenous knowledge of flood risk reduction in the area. Survey design was used for the study. The target population for the study was all residents of Guyuk L.G.A. that are mostly affected by flood which are Guyuk, Banjiram and Dukul. The sample size was determined through cross sectional table study by Krejcie, and Morgan, (1970), which gave a sample of 380 respondents based on the population. A purposive random sampling technique was used, in the distribution of the questionnaires. The instrument of data collection was a self-developed closed ended questionnaire which was administered to the respondents. The data generated for the study was analysed using descriptive statistics such as bar charts, pie charts, histogram, frequency count and percentages. The findings of the study reveals that, the educational qualification of the respondents was a pointer to their adoption of indigenous pro-active measures for tackling the menace of flood when it does occur. Residence of Guyuk adopts digging of trenches and drainages in their houses to allow easy flow of water thus abating severity of flood; the negative perception of flood by the people is that it is a natural occurrence that should be the responsibility of government only. The study also established that flood occur every year during the raining season, affecting settlements along the floodplains. This result into hike or inflation in prices of stuffs; destruction of lives and properties, contamination of water bodies leading to outbreak of waterborne related diseases. The study therefore recommends that government should encourage community cooperation and participation towards adoption of effective strategies for mitigating flooding through education and sensitization of the public. The government should develop a well integrated drainage and trenches in the area for free flow of water, and discourages building houses in areas liable to floods.