Perceptions and realities of flood hazards, flood mitigation and control in Nigeria

Flood is a catastrophic event that has a long history and occurs both in developed and developing countries. Flood is recurrent, its severity varies over a wide range, and it is largely unpredictable in terms of magnitude and occurrence. Vulnerability to flood has been linked to poverty and cultural affiliations in developing countries. Poverty affects people’s capacity to protect themselves and their assets, as well as their ability to live in areas having less exposure to risk factors such as low income, poor housing and public services. Lack of flood insurance coverage and cultural attachment to the flood zone can force the poor to behave in ways that expose them to greater risk. Often, after floodwaters have subsided, the emphasis has been placed on rebuilding structures and trying to restoreflood victims’ lives back to normal as quickly as possible without addressing the causes. Unfortunately, in the rush, these flood victims have often rebuilt their structures to their previous “at risk” conditions.The economic cost or human losses from flood are enormous. There is growing societal impatience with continually bailing out those who live at risk. The realization that flood can never be controlled since they are part of a dynamic process caused by natural phenomena is very important. This review reflects on present and future challenges and priorities. The tasks ahead are immense as these solutions must be implemented in the face of a multitude of problems, such as conflicts, lack of leadership, economiccorruption, discrimination, unstable governments, dictatorships,  pandemics, lack of infrastructure, low education and public health, poverty, and over one billion humans without the basic needs of life being met

Health Impact of Gas Flares on Igwuruta / Umuechem Communities in Rivers State

This paper examined the relationship between human exposure to toxicological factors in the environment arising from gas flares and the development of various human health related conditions. The impact of environmental factors was investigated at four stations set up concentrically around Agbada II flow station, for a period of nine months (May, 2007 – January, 2008) and sampling was performed manually across the four stations on an hourly basis. The analytical program was done in line with WMO recommendations. Parameters investigated include particulates and gases. Mean particulate concentrations in rainy season across all sites ranged from 0.4 ± 0.4ìg/m3 in June to 25 ± 5.4ìg/m3 in May. Concentration levels of particulates were excessive in the months of December and January, exceeding allowable regulatory limits for TSP, PM10 and PM7 across all stations. Mean concentration levels of gases in both wet and dry seasons were within allowable regulatory limits. Analysis of medical records showed a greaterfrequency of disease types such as Asthma, Cough, breathing difficulty, eye/skin irritation in (Igwuruta/Umuechem), the study area with a long history of gas flaring compared to Ayama with no flaring history. These subset of diseases accounted for 22.4% and 5.9% (a 4 to 1 ratio) of all cases reported at the respective health centers. The high level of particulates in the dry season constitutes a greater short-term exposure risk to residents and workers with the particular risk of respiratory irritation, itching/eye irritation and cough being endemic in the area surrounding the flare

Assessment of Air Quality and Noise around Okrika Communities, Rivers State, Nigeria

The quality of air and noise levels around Okirika communities in River State were determined using portable hand held air monitors for air pollutants and anemometer for meteorological parameters. The parameters measured were suspended particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane and volatile organic carbon, temperature, wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity. The results showed the highest concentrations of 0.007mg/m3 (PM1, dry), 0.036mg/m3 (PM2.5, dry), 0.286mg/m3 (PM7, dry), 0.378mg/m3 (PM10, dry), 0.503mg/m3 (TSP, dry), 1.7ppm (NO2, dry), 3.0ppm (CH4, dry), 0.2ppm (H2S, dry), 12.7ppm (CO, dry), 2.7ppm (NH3, dry), and 7.0ppm (VOC, rainy). The dry season concentrations of air pollutants were higher than the rainy season concentrations. The observed differences in mean concentrations of the air pollutants between the two seasons were not significant in case of TSP (P<0.05) but were significant (P<0.05) in other pollutants. The highest mean concentrations of the gaseous pollutants exceeded permissible limits and therefore pose environmental and health concern for the inhabitants of the area. The quality of air in the area is poor and need to be regularly monitored. @JASEMKeywords: Air quality, Okrika, Digital monitors, meteorology, Nois

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF COASTAL EROSION IN THE NIGER DELTA

The coastline of the Niger Delta, which stretches some 395 km, consists largely of erodible barrier islands comprising sediments at different levels of densification and consolidation. Both long-term and short-term forces are exerted on the coastline leading to substantial temporal and spatial shifts in its configuration. By overlaying satellite imageries from Landsat TM, of two epochs (1963 and 1989/90), it was shown that large sections, up to 75% of the coastline are either eroding or accreting, with only about 25% of the entire length in relatively stable conditions. Anthropogenic activities which have influenced discharge and sediment transport, such as canals, river bed dredging, harbour protection works and impoundment in upstream dams and reservoirs are implicated as major causes of accelerated coastal erosion. KEY WORDS: Coastline, Erosion, Sedimentation, Niger Delta Global Jnl Geological Sciences. Vol.2(1) 2004: 79-9

Health Impact of Gas Flares on Igwuruta / Umuechem Communities in Rivers State

This paper examined the relationship between human exposure to toxicological factors in the environment arising from gas flares and the development of various human health related conditions. The impact of environmental factors was investigated at four stations set up concentrically around Agbada II flow station, for a period of nine months (May, 2007 – January, 2008) and sampling was performed manually across the four stations on an hourly basis. The analytical program was done in line with WMO recommendations. Parameters investigated include particulates and gases. Mean particulate concentrations in rainy season across all sites ranged from 0.4 ± 0.4ìg/m3 in June to 25 ± 5.4ìg/m3 in May. Concentration levels of particulates were excessive in the months of December and January, exceeding allowable regulatory limits for TSP, PM10 and PM7 across all stations. Mean concentration levels of gases in both wet and dry seasons were within allowable regulatory limits. Analysis of medical records showed a greaterfrequency of disease types such as Asthma, Cough, breathing difficulty, eye/skin irritation in (Igwuruta/Umuechem), the study area with a long history of gas flaring compared to Ayama with no flaring history. These subset of diseases accounted for 22.4% and 5.9% (a 4 to 1 ratio) of all cases reported at the respective health centers. The high level of particulates in the dry season constitutes a greater short-term exposure risk to residents and workers with the particular risk of respiratory irritation, itching/eye irritation and cough being endemic in the area surrounding the flare