Climate Vulnerability and Building Flood Resilience Strategies in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change and/or climate variability has heightened the frequency and re-occurrence of climate related disasters, particularly floods in the past two decades globally. This is likely to increase vulnerabilities in African Cities, by adding to the numerous challenges already existing and being experienced. Though, there is a consensus that it is impossible to completely eradicate flood risks in urban areas, the focus now worldwide is on how to come up with implementable strategies that will help build resilience of urban areas to floods. In line with the recognition that disaster resilience is key to achieving sustainable development, this study focuses on addressing climate vulnerabilities through building flood resilient strategies in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Using survey questionnaires (covering a cross-section of 251 households) and well-structured interviews, the study broadly examined the underlying vulnerabilities of households to flooding by looking at the roles played by different stakeholders (households, private sector and government) in Jigawa State. This was done with the main goal of finding out how to integrate the efforts of these stakeholders to ensure building a sustainable flood-resilient Jigawa State. Specifically, the study first examined the causes of frequent floods in Jigawa State. The study then proceeded to examine the extent and level of households’ vulnerability to flooding. Further, the study examined the coping strategies available to households in relation to flood disasters, and the factors responsible for the adoption of these coping strategies. Lastly, the study estimated the cost and benefits of establishing a flood resilient project for households in the study area, to boost their resilience to possible future flood events. Findings from the study showed that among other factors, heavy and prolonged rainfalls, poor and inadequate infrastructural facilities and mismanagement of water resources were among the main causes of frequent floods in the study area. Secondly, the study found that all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) covered were very vulnerable to flooding, except for Hadejia LGA whose level of vulnerability was relatively better compared to the others. The findings also showed that a number of socioeconomic and socio-demographic features of household were very influential in the choice of their coping strategies (such as bank credit, relocation, safety nets, assistance from friends, etc.). Lastly, the study came up with a cost-effective government funded and private sector operated dam-irrigation project which will beneficial to households through employment gains and also serve as a source of revenue generation for the government. Ultimately, the project will help improve physical resilience and empower households economically, hence boosting the resilience of their communities to floods. The study therefore, recommended the need to restructure the disaster management structure both at national and state levels in Nigeria. Also, there is need for relevant authorities to focus on boosting microeconomic resilience to flood disasters through the provision of social services and empowerment opportunities (particularly, with focus directed more towards boosting non-structural measures of flood control). Furthermore, institutional response to floods must be transformed from its current reactive approach to a more proactive one, hence focusing more on flood risk reduction strategies.