EVALUATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FLOODING IN RUKPOKWU AREA OF OBIO/AKPOR LGA, RIVERS STATE. NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study evaluated the socio-economic effects of flooding in the Rukpokwu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria, and the essential steps to be taken by the government and the local domiciliary to reduce the effects of flood menace for sustainable development. Using an error of 0.05 levels, a questionnaire survey was utilized in gathering data for the study. Data collected through questionnaires was coded and analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Simple percentages, frequency distribution tables, chi-square, principal component analysis, linear regression, and ANOVA were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed very high socio-economic effects of flooding and significant patterns in the community’s study area. The seven (7) significant critical aspects include livestock, fish ponds, houses and household properties, roads, electricity, and quality of life. The study also found that there is a significant relationship between flood incidence (frequency) and socio-economic effects in the community studied areas which implies that, an increase in the incidence (frequency) of flooding has increasing socio-economic effects on the community. It further revealed that a significant difference exists in the socio-economic effects of flooding across the streets of the community in the study area. Finally, the study concluded by making recommendations.