Environmental Adult Education Programmes for Flooding and Flood Risks Reduction in Selected Local Government Areas of Rivers State

Abstract

This study examines flooding and flood risks reduction in selected local government areas of Rivers State, with an attempt to establish the role environmental adult education programmes would play in curbing flooding in the study areas. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design with three objectives and three research questions formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consisted 1,350 members of community based organisation in Ahoada East and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of Rivers State. Proportionate sampling technique was adopted in selecting 135 respondents from the population. A 12-item structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The responses on the instrument were structured on a four (4) point modified Likert scale. Data collected were analysed using mean statistics. The results from the analysed data revealed that the causes of flooding in the study areas includes heavy and long rainfalls, deforestation, improper agricultural practices, building on water ways and indiscriminate dumping of wastes on drainages; that the effects of flooding include loss of lives and properties, deterioration of heath condition owing to waterborne diseases. That some environmental adult education programmes can be used in reducing flood risks. Based on the results, the study recommended that there should be synergy between the various environmental management agencies in Rivers State where they can come up with a comprehensive blueprint on how to use environmental adult education programmes in the reduction of flooding and its risks in the state.