Understanding Extreme Geohazards: The Science of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle European Science Foundation Conference November 28 to December 1, 2011, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain

Assessing the perception, efficacy of indigenous Knowledge and adaptation systems to flood disaster risk in the Niger Delta, Nigeria: implications for Sustainable Geo-hazard management

Prince Chinedu Mmom
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, prince.mmom@uniport.edu.ng

The objective of the paper is to assess the efficacy of indigenous knowledge and response/adaptation systems to flood disaster and risk in the Niger Delta Nigeria as that would have serious implications for sustainable management of flood and other Geo-hazards in Nigeria. The hydro-geographic configuration of the Niger Delta, Nigeria makes the region vulnerable to flood disaster which most times have led to devastation/ loss of priceless property and livelihood of indigenes. This paper therefore assesses the flood risk perception of the local people; the efficacy of their knowledge and response system to flood disaster as to direct policy formulation towards integrating of local stakeholders into Geo-hazard management. Also is to identify impediments or factors which influence the level of awareness / perception of National policy/projects on Disaster management, and in so doing to highlight the policy implications for the stakeholders when designing flood risk/ disaster response and management strategies; to assist the community to adapt to climate change and produce sufficiently on a sustainable basis and achieve the desired food security under climate change challenges. The study recommends policies to harness the potentials of indigenous knowledge systems and increase their awareness of agro-environmental initiatives for flood disaster adaptation/mitigation.