RISK FACTORS AND VULNERABILITIES LEADING TO INFRASTRUCTURAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE DURING FLOODING IN 2024: CASE STUDY OF AJAH RESIDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Water is an exceedingly valuable substance on our planet. We consume it, immerse ourselves in it, utilise it for sanitation purposes, and employ it for culinary preparation. Water is essential for the sustenance of life on earth due to the multitude of tasks it enables us to perform. While mostly harmless, in significant volumes, this liquid can inflict extensive damage, such as flipping cars, destroying buildings, and even causing fatalities.  When used in this context, it is referred to as flooding. A flood is the result of water overflowing and covering a large area of land (David, 2020). Flooding is the temporary inundation of land that is typically not submerged.  Flooding is an inherent and unavoidable phenomenon, however it can occasionally be triggered by human actions (Oni et al., 2019). 

Floods are recurrent phenomena.  These natural disasters might be seen as foreseeable events that can be reduced in severity (Spring, 2018).  Flooding is a prevalent occurrence in several regions of the world, and its detrimental impacts are of great significance. In the 1997 flooding in Yuba, California, a total of 38,000 residents were forced to evacuate. The floodwaters affected around 1000 acres of residential land, 15,500 acres of agricultural and orchards, and 1700 acres of industrial area. A total of 322 dwellings were destroyed, while 407 homes experienced significant damages (Duncan, 2017). In England and Wales, the UK Environment Agency (2019) reports that more than 10% of the population is directly vulnerable to flooding, while a larger portion of the population is indirectly impacted by flooding through road closures, service disruptions, and the loss of goods and produce.

Over two million individuals in Northern Nigeria were forced to relocate due to flooding caused by the deliberate opening of the flood gates on the Challawa and Tiga dams. This action was taken to discharge the increasing water levels along the Niger River.  According to Osowe (2017), flooding in Niger State has impacted a minimum of 300,000 individuals and submerged numerous settlements.  In recent years, flooding has caused extensive damage in various regions of Nigeria, notably Sokoto in the northwest, Borno in the northeast, Plateau in the centre, and Yobe in the north. Over the years in Lagos, flooding has persisted as a concerning natural issue that successive governments in the State have been unable to adequately resolve.  

The current administration in Lagos State has been praised for its efforts to mitigate flooding by commissioning over 100 drainage systems (Ganiyu, 2023).Although the Lagos State Government has made significant efforts in carrying out extensive work and constructing drainage systems, these endeavours have been overshadowed by the irresponsible actions of individuals who exploit these waterways as dumping grounds for waste (Ganiyu, 2023).  Flooding remains a persistent issue in various locations such as Mushin, Jakande, Ajegunle, Alagbado, Festac, Ijora Olopa, Apapa, Iganmu, Ikorodu Road, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Maryland, Ebute-Metta, Lawson Street, Victoria Island, Lekki, and Ajah.

Flooding is a recurrent natural calamity in Nigeria that results in substantial damage to infrastructure and property, while also endangering the safety of individuals in affected regions (Afeez et al., 2023). Ajah, a burgeoning neighbourhood in Lagos State, is highly susceptible to floods as a result of its low-lying terrain, insufficient drainage infrastructure, and fast urbanisation (Magnus et al., 2022). The floods in Ajah in 2024 exposed numerous risk factors and vulnerabilities that contribute to damage to infrastructure and property during flooding incidents. Ajah, situated along the Lekki-Epe Motorway in Lagos State, is susceptible to flooding mainly as a result of its geographical characteristics and urban development patterns. The region's close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its flat topography render it vulnerable to flooding during periods of intense rainfall and high tides. The swift process of urbanisation and insufficient development of infrastructure worsen the hazards of floods, affecting both residential and commercial structures in the region. This study specifically examines the elements that increase the likelihood of damage to infrastructure and property during the floods that occurred in Ajah, Lagos State in 2024. The objective is to evaluate the magnitude of harm to residential and commercial structures, examine the socioeconomic consequences on inhabitants, and investigate methods for enhancing the community's ability to withstand floods. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Flooding is a recurrent issue in many parts of Nigeria, including Ajah, a rapidly developing suburb in Lagos State. The 2024 floods in Ajah were particularly severe, causing extensive infrastructural and property damage. This disaster highlighted numerous risk factors and vulnerabilities that contribute to the extent of damage experienced during such events. Understanding these factors is critical for developing effective mitigation strategies and enhancing the resilience of the communities affected by flood.

Exact numbers related to flooding impacts at the city level in Nigeria are challenging to determine due to various issues around data collection and access (Lucas, 2021). However, frequent flooding in Lagos results in damage and destruction of critical infrastructure, homes, small businesses, schools, markets, roads, water facilities, communication networks, health centres, electric power poles and other public infrastructure (Lucas, 2021; Adegun, 2022; Odunuga and others, 2012) at an estimated cost of $22.2 million each year (InsuResilience Solutions Fund, 2021).

An estimated three out of four Lagos citizens live in slum conditions (UN-Habitat, 2017). High living costs, unaffordable housing and unemployment has led about 70 percent of the population of the Lagos metropolitan area to form over 100 slum communities (Adelekan, 2021; Dano and others, 2020). These informal urban neighborhoods, often built in hazard-prone areas, lack adequate drainage and waste disposal systems, making them the most susceptible to frequent flooding (Adelekan, 2021). Understanding the risk factors and vulnerabilities leading to infrastructural and property damage during flooding is essential for developing effective flood risk management strategies. This study aims to provide insights into the challenges faced by residents in Ajah and the broader implications of flooding on community resilience and socioeconomic stability. Hence the need for the study.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess the risk factors and vulnerabilities leading to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in 2024: case study of Ajah resident. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To evaluate the extent of infrastructural and property damage incurred during the 2024 floods in Ajah

To determine the risk factors contributing to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in Ajah in 2024

To analyze the socioeconomic impacts of flooding on residents of Ajah in 2024

To Propose strategies to enhance flood resilience in Ajah

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What is the extent of infrastructural and property damage incurred during the 2024 floods in Ajah?

What are the risk factors contributing to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in Ajah in 2024?

What are the socioeconomic impacts of flooding on residents of Ajah in 2024?

What are the strategies to enhance flood resilience in Ajah?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will validate this study;

Ho: extent of infrastructural and property damage incurred during the 2024 floods in Ajah is low.

Ha: The extent of infrastructural and property damage incurred during the 2024 floods in Ajah is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

The study focuses on a critical problem that is hurting the population of Ajah. It provides practical knowledge about the elements that contribute to flood risks, vulnerabilities, and the consequences they have. The results of this study are anticipated to enhance the community's catastrophe preparedness, response, and resilience-building initiatives. 

The study of floods in Ajah is particularly relevant to the community members, local authorities, and politicians who are directly affected by or responsible for reducing flood hazards in the area. The study's findings can be utilised to enhance the awareness of flood hazards and vulnerabilities among people of Ajah. This has the potential to enable individuals to proactively take measures to safeguard their homes and communities.

Furthermore, via the analysis of certain risk factors and vulnerabilities, the study seeks to offer a comprehensive comprehension of the reasons and mechanisms behind the infrastructural and property damage caused by flooding in Ajah. Accurate identification is essential for formulating precise plans aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to the situation.

Furthermore, future academics will employ it as a comprehensive analysis of the existing scholarly literature. Therefore, individuals who have a personal stake in this area of research can rely on our work as a trustworthy and thoroughly assessed source of knowledge.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically assess the risk factors and vulnerabilities leading to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in 2024. Specifically, this study evaluate the extent of infrastructural and property damage incurred during the 2024 floods in Nigeria, determine the risk factors contributing to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in Nigeria in 2024, the socioeconomic impacts of flooding on residents of Nigeria in 2024 and it also seeks to Propose strategies to enhance flood resilience in Nigeria.

The study is carried out in Ajah.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limits during the investigation. The primary constraint was the dearth of comprehensive literature on the topic, given the scarcity of data pertaining to risk factors and vulnerabilities leading to infrastructural and property damage during flooding in 2024: case study of Ajah residents. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to identify the suitable materials, books, or information and to collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its diminutive sample size and restricted geographical range, concentrating just on Ajah, Lagos. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's restraints were predominantly attributable to financial limitations, as they are a student without a means of revenue to support themselves. The research location's high transportation costs, impacted by current inflation in Nigeria, made it difficult to afford transportation fees.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously meeting the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Flood: Flood is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Flood pattern: Flood pattern" refers to the correlation and relationship between various parameters, such as rainfall and temperature, that contribute to the occurrence and severity of floods.

Urbanization: Urbanization is the process through which cities grow, and higher and higher percentages of the population come to live in the city.

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