Multidimensional Approach to Flood Communities of Suleja and Tafa LGA, Niger state

Abstract

Flooding is no doubt one of the world’s most prominent and most damaging natural disaster; destroying millions of lives and properties. The continuous increase in developments and land-use changes due to population growth is increasing the vulnerability in flood-prone areas. This study therefore, examines flood vulnerability of households in coastal communities of Suleja and Tafa LGA, Niger State, using multiple flood vulnerability assessment indicators. The study adopts the descriptive and exploratory approach to research design and quantitative method. The data used for the study were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The sample frame for the study is 26,205 households in the communities, while a sample size of 383 households is estimated at 95% confidence level and confidence interval of 5. The respondents were selected using cluster and simple random sampling technique, from which a total of 310 questionnaires were returned completed. The data were standardised and analysed using multiple vulnerability indicator methods (MVIM) and descriptive statistics. The study established that the household’s in the study area are vulnerable from multiple dimensions (physical, economic, and social); Chechnya, community recorded a vulnerability index of (0.55), and Sabon-wuse (0.56). The vulnerability recorded in the communities is occasioned by the vulnerability experienced from the three dimensions of assessment. The study concludes that the vulnerability of households to flooding is multidimensional and requires prompt intervention. Therefore, effective development control strategies must be put in place to discourage floodplain development, while attention must also be paid to the improvement of household economic and social welfare.