Flood Control and Disaster Mitigation through Engineering Interventions for Economic Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Flood management and economic development are linked together in many aspects. As economic globalization and integration have developed over the past few decades, the relationships between the economy and national security have grown stronger. This paper discusses the relationship between sustainable development and disaster preparedness and management, as well as the roles of NGOs and the organizations, put in place to employ methodologies of open data principle and advanced techniques including remote sensing and the use of GIS in disaster management and flood risk assessment in Nigeria. Findings showed that government participation in flood control places a greater emphasis on the distribution of relief supplies and that the incidences of urban flooding in Nigeria are exacerbated by inadequate land use planning and spatial planning. There is also weak enforcement of environmental laws and urban development plans. The paper concluded that engineering interventions are major requirements for flood risk assessment and disaster management in the Nigerian challenging economy. There should be strong collaboration and partnership in flood management. Building capacities for flood catastrophe mitigation and preparedness to enable sustainable urban growth is advised using a GIS-based spatial planning and land use management strategy. Engineering interventions and mitigation strategies should be enforced for effective flood risk assessment sustainable development and protection of life and property in the challenging economy of Nigeria.