Flood and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria: A Focus on 2012 Flood Disaster
Abanyam, Noah Lumun & Samaila Buba
Department of Sociology, Taraba State University, Jalingo. Taraba State, Nigeria
Department of Geography Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State Nigeria
Email: noahlumun@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Flood is one of the most disastrous environmental problems that severely affect human beings and other sectors of development on the planet. Diseases \and economic losses are a major developmental challenge for many least developed countries battling with flood. This study is an investigation of Flood and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Functionalist theoretical perspectives was considered in analyzing the study. The study found that climate change, heavy rain fall, release of water from dams, poor planning, indiscriminate dumping of waste and lack of drainage system are factors that causes flooding in Nigeria. Flood is also found to affect other sectors of development in Nigeria and is associated with the loss of lives and properties as well as disastrous health implications. Flood affect agricultural supplies, exacerbating malnutrition problems leading to loss of production, food shortages and destruction of storage facilities. Flood causes damages to homes, schools, businesses, and transportation system and paralyzes socio-economic activities. It was recommended that drainage system should be constructed and regularly inspected and monitored to take note of any failure with a view of effecting repairs. Enlightenment campaigns should be step up by the government, National Orientation Agency and other related bodies with the view to put an end to the habit of dumping refuse in drainages. That government should dredge river channels to widen it up and give the channel the ability to contain excess water. The study concludes that all hands must be on deck, both the government, Non-Governmental Organization, Community Based Organizations, the Mass Media and the general public corroborate in order to control and prevent (averts) the catastrophic effects of flood on socio-economic development in Nigeria.
Key words: Flood, Socio-economic Development.
