CROSS CASE ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF FLOODING ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE IN KOGI STATE

Flooding has been an environmental problem that is being faced globally. It threatens the environmental, social and economic well-being of the affected areas. Nigeria has been facing the menace of flooding in both urban as well as rural areas. Northern Nigeria is one of the worst hit areas that are affected by flood annually despite the dry climatic condition of the area. This research assesses the causes of the 2012 flooding disaster in Lokoja and Ibaji areas respectively and how it has impacted on agriculture and socio economic activities of the people living in these areas. A cross section analysis was made and the finding revealed that both the urban and the rural areas showed the same policy and laws on flood control and land use. Yet these areas were the worst hit and were placed on Category ‘A’ list of relief materials and shelter during the flood. The trend of flood occurrences indicates that climate change is one of the major causes of flood in those areas. However, further study revealed that the communities and properties washed away were situated along the flood plains and were at risk of inundation during the rainy season. It also discussed the effect it has on socio-economic and environmental well being of the victims affected and also the huge impacts on agriculture and food security. Several issues together complicate and make the impact worse but the basic solution is a sustainable approach by implementing laws and policies that should be adhered to strictly. This cannot go without saying that for the laws to be accepted; the government has to play a vital role in creating awareness and also providing basic social amenities like homes built away from flood plains.