THE EFFECT OF HAZARDOUS METROPOLIS: FLOODING AND URBAN ECOLOGY IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The complexity of anthropogenic activities of man without adequate attention to geological structure of most cities of developed and developing nations has undoubtedly contributed to re-occurrence of disaster and consequently poses threat to environmental sustainability in most of these nations (Oludare et al., 2018). This irrefutably has led or accumulated to unresolved challenges. Among the unresolved challenges being faced are vicious flood incidences experienced in the last four decades. The occurrence is stern in third world countries where there is intensity in land use, haphazard development, and unprecedented urbanization among others. According to Adeyinka et al. (2008, p. 1) “Most of these cities are also characterized by uncontrolled development , substandard and inadequate housing, poor infrastructure provision and development, poor planning process and administration, weak urban governance, poor land use structure resulting to slum…’’. These plethora of problems are bedeviling cities of third world countries and Nigeria in particular.Consequently, there has been unprecedented occurrence of floods and its associated negativities in most of the urban centers of developing countries(Montoya Morales, 2002). For instance, in Nigeria, reports have shown that devastating flood disaster had occurred in Ibadan (1985, 1987, 1990, and 2011), Osogbo (1992, 1996, 2002, and 2010), Yobe (2000), Akure (1996, 2000, 2002,2004 and 2006) and the coastal cities of Lagos, Ogun, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo, Warri among others (Olaniran, 1983). This claimed many lives and properties worth millions of Naira. Several anthropogenic factors have contributed to the incidence of flood. Among these factors is the encroachment of development to flood prone areas. The incursion into such areas have being progressive until now because of unprecedented urbanization and industrialization which has undoubtedly resulted into large scale massive deforestation, loss of surface vegetation and farmlands.According to Okechuckwu (2008 p. 272); “the incursion of unplanned and uncontrolled development into urban infrastructure facilities, violate the major objectives of physical planning and consequently result into misuse of land thereby creating disorderly arrangement of urban landscape and the occurrence flood that is mostly evident in cities of third world countries”. Arising from these incongruous and haphazard developments in cities of third world cities, the occurrence of flood, particularly in Lagos, has been known to be paramount to some areas or local government in the state.According to Oyebande (1990) water will always find its way if not well channelized. Its choice route often poses problems to man by tampering with his physical environment, health and products of agriculture, urbanization and industrialization. This has created a lot of social and economic cost on the environment and the citizenry. Few among these social and economic impacts on the environment are: outbreak of health diseases, infrastructure failure, mental health effects, building collapse, destruction of agricultural farmland and products.Flood has been reported as a major and devastating problem in some sectors of the economy (Petak and Atkisson, 1982). Its effects are very severe to virtually all forms of land use. The severity of its impact is also reflected on the rate of development of most nations that experience such. Thus if adequate attention in terms of preventive measures are not put in place towards controlling its sporadic occurrence and its associated impacts particularly during rainy season, its incidence can turn a developed nation back into a developing nation.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Lagos climate is equatorial, with rainfall throughout the year, however most of the precipitation falls during the rainy season, usually between March or April and September or October [Israel, 2002]. Average monthly rainfall during the rainy season can exceed 200mm, typically greater than the infiltration capacity of the soils rapidly leading to the generation of runoff that overwhelms the drainage system (both natural and anthropogenic) [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015]. Lagos has a low-lying topography with slopes typically between 1–4%, and elevations ranging from or below sea level to approximately 2m above sea level [Sojobi et al, 2016]. The low slope angle delays the drainage of water from the land, which combined with the increase in runoff generation associated with urban expansion, increases the flood risk over time. Flooding has been an issue in Nigeria certainly since the 1950s [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015], although the earliest available historical record of flooding in Lagos dates back to July 1947 [Nwigwe et al, 2014], with the event being caused by a period of heavy rainfall. Despite the long history of flooding in Lagos, the growth of unplanned settlements in the city has compounded the flood issue with only 45% of the urban area being served by storm drains [Nwigwe et al, 2014], of which less than 30% are regularly maintained [Sojobi et al, 2016]. The speed and extent of urbanisation in Lagos, combined with unplanned growth [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015] has led to an increase in flood episodes, to the point where they have become a perennial problem. Flooding in Lagos is now an annual even with the exception of the drought year of 1973 [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015]. The heightened risk of flooding in Lagos during the wet season has been recognised as an issue since at least the 1970s when residents considered it one of the three most important environmental problems [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015]. Typically flooding in the area is caused by either shortduration high-intensity rainfall or long-duration low intensity rainfall, the frequency of both having increased compared to 30 years ago [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015]. Flooding in 2010, 2011 and 2012 have helped to raise the general awareness of the flood problem in Lagos, though they also demonstrate the scale of the problem that must be overcome. All three of the floods had the same basic impacts: displacement of residents, damage to property, disruption to communications and loss of life. The 2010 flood affecting Ikorodu caused significant damage and the relocation of thousands of residents, of whom over 1700 had to be provided with accommodation by the Lagos State government for over 10 months [Sojobi et al, 2016]. The following year’s flooding led to the costliest claims settlement in the history of the Nigerian insurance industry, estimated to range from between US$200 million  to over US$300 million [Sojobi et al, 2016], though it should be noted that a significant number of low and middle-income properties were also affected but uninsured. The flooding in 2012 was considered the worst flood event in over 40 years [Nkwunonwo et al, 2015] affecting 7.7 million people including over 500 residents whose injuries were considered either a direct or indirect result of the flood and over 2 million residents displaced by the flood waters.

Residents of Lagos are known for their social life. In very recent times Lagos has been having issues of flooding despite the fact that it has several underground drainage network. Urban flash flood associated with torrential rainfall is the major type of flood in Lagos. It has impacted negatively on the people by disrupting their social life, on farm activities, free movement of people, goods and services. The effects of flooding in some parts of Lagos reflect in the submerging of buildings, farmlands and roads, this has implication on household well being.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effect of hazardous metropolis taking note of flooding and urban ecology in Nigeria. Other specific objectives are:

1.        To examine the perception of residents on the causes of flooding in Lagos state.

2.        To examine the effect of flooding on the residents of Lagos state.

3.        To investigate the actions taken by Lagos state residents to minimize flood risk and impact.

4.        To investigate the steps the government has taken to control flood in Lagos state.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions guide this study:

1.        What is the perception of residents on the causes of flooding in Lagos state?

2.        What is the effect of flooding on the residents of Lagos state?

3.        What are the actions taken by Lagos state residents to minimize flood risk and impact?

4.        What are the steps the government has taken to control flood in Lagos state?

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of immense benefit to policy makers and the government to come to the understanding of the causes flood and its effect on the communities affected as well as the residents of the vulnerable communities. This study will also bring to the knowledge of the Lagos state residents the various majors to take to curb the impact of flooding. This study will also add to existing literature on this study domain as well serve as a reference material for further studies in this topic or similar area in the future.

1.6       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on examining the perception of residents on the causes of flooding in Lagos state. The study will also examine the effect of flooding on the residents of Lagos state. This study will also look into the actions taken by Lagos state residents to minimize flood risk and impact. Finally, this study will investigate the steps the government has taken to control flood in Lagos state. Residents of Ikorodu, Surulere, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikeja in Lagos state shall serve as enrolled participants for this study.

1.7       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The major limitation to this study are fund, time constraint and inadequate material