APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN KOGI STATE

In Nigeria, flooding is a major annual disaster that is becoming more severe in recent time dueto the effect of climate change and other related factors. This study aimed at identifying theroles of community participation in flood risk management in Kogi state. The study wasconducted using eighteen communities from the nine LGAs that annually experience floodingin Kogi state. The LGAs include Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Idah, Ofu, Bassa, IgalamelaOdolu andKogi. Six hundred and ten (610) respondents were selected using Sample Size Table of ResearchAdvisor (2006). The study used questionnaire and FGD in collecting data. The analysis of thestudy was through the use of tables, percentages, narrative analysis and verbatim quotations.The findings revealed that flood vulnerable communities irrespective of urban or rural settingsparticipates at different levels of participation in flood risk management. The findings alsorevealed that 71.4% of respondents in rural communities participate through self-mobilizationwhile 30% of respondents in urban communities participate in giving information toauthorities. The respondents' level of involvement in flood risk management also differsas63.3% of urban respondents and 43.2% of rural respondents indicated involvement in floodrisk management. The study also discovered that 83.5% communities participate inpreparedness, response and recovery, while 40% of urban communities participate in all stagesof flood risk management. Majority of urban communities 70.4% and 51.6% of ruralcommunities play the roles of early warning information, organize flood managementcommittee, blockage of flood possible areas, cleaning drainages and waterways, organize forrelief materials, evacuating and camping of flood affected victims and psychosocial support tovictims. Finally, the study recommends encouragement of community members to participate inall stages,functional medium between the flood vulnerable communities and environmentalmanagement agencies to enhance the involvement of communities in flood risk management,train members on the best method for improved responsibilities, because these communitieshave developed their management strategies using local methodologies, address the issue ofearly warning, train members on management skills and improve on the livelihood of the floodvulnerable communities. By this, there will be effective flood risk management in Kogi state andNigeria In general.