The Determinants of Recurrent Flooding in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria: Adaptation, Mitigation, and Intervention Strategies

Abstract

This paper evaluates the determinants of recurrent flooding in Benin-City: adaptation, mitigation, and intervention strategies Flooding is considered as one of the most frequent and damaging natural hazards globally, particularly in low-lying areas and unplanned urban centers. Specifically, it has emerged as one of the critical and recurrent environmental challenges in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. The paper identified the primary natural and anthropogenic determinants of recurrent flooding, level of awareness of the City dwellers on the causes of recurrent flooding, effects of recurrent flooding on the livelihoods of the city dwellers, and adaptation, mitigation, and intervention strategies adopted by the city dwellers to alleviate the effects of recurrent flooding on their lives in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. To accomplish these specific objectives, the paper employed both primary and secondary research methods to collect the required data. The projected population of Benin-City (the study area) in 2026 at 3.67% growth rate is 2,120,000. Five hundred (500) residents/respondents (the sample population), which represent zero point zero two three six percent (0.0236%) of the entire population in the study area, were considered. Following the above, 500 questionnaires were prepared and administered in the study area. The data obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques, such as tables, frequencies, and percentages. The results reveal the primary natural and anthropogenic determinants of recurrent flooding, level of awareness of the city dwellers on the causes of recurrent flooding, effects of recurrent flooding on the livelihoods of the city dwellers, and adaptation, mitigation, and intervention strategies adopted by the city dwellers to alleviate the effects of recurrent flooding on their lives in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the above findings, the following actionable policy recommendations are made: creation and promotion of effective, efficient and efficacious grassroots awareness campaigns; construction of permeable pavements; elevated foundations; weather-resistant building materials; evacuation of blocked drains; enforcement of environmental sanitation; adoption of modern environmental building codes; implementation of green building initiatives; cover cropping; forest conservation laws; laws against indiscriminate bush fires; avoidance of encroachment on waterways; the use of sand bags; total eschewal from areas near waterways, bioengineering, flood early awareness campaigns, disaster relief programmes, local flood control initiatives, and technical assistance. Also recommended are road elevation and paving, construction of additional drains and maintenance, environmental protection and regulation, enforcement of urban planning, regular and effective inspections and monitoring of drains to prevent dumping of wastes. The paper concludes by passionately appealing that these actionable policy recommendations should be adopted and implemented by the concerned authorities in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.