Economic and social costs of flood disasters in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Review Article
Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2024, 19(01), 091–103.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gjeta.2024.19.1.0043
Publication history:
Received on 01 February 2024; revised on 05 April 2024; accepted on 08 April 2024
Abstract:
Nigeria is susceptible to flood disasters, resulting in significant economic and social costs due to natural and human factors. This paper examines the implications of flood disasters on Nigeria's sustainable national development by identifying drivers, estimating costs, analyzing social dimensions, and discussing policy options. The methodology this paper adopted relied on a range of secondary sources such as government reports, academic studies, and media sources which were analyzed through qualitative methods of content and thematic analysis. The study revealed that flood disasters caused economic losses, including damage to infrastructure, loss of income, and reduced agricultural production, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Effective disaster risk management requires an integrated approach, including investments in flood risk infrastructure, coordination among government levels, and engaging local communities to build disaster reduction capacity. The paper highlights the need for Nigeria to mainstream disaster risk reduction into national development planning for sustainable development.
Keywords:
Flood Disasters; Economic Costs; Social Costs; Sustainable National Development; Disaster Risk Management; Vulnerable Populations; Policy Options
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