COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES AND PERCEPTION OF FLOOD RISKS AMONG RESIDENTS IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN CALABAR SOUTH, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s): Joel Efiong; Bassey Effiong Bassey
Institute(s): 1 Department of Environmental Management, University of Calabar, Calabar; 2 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Calabar, Calabar
Volume 5 / Issue 1
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between community engagement initiatives and residents’ perceptions of flood risks in Calabar South LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research approach, utilizing a cross-sectional survey design to gather data from a representative sample of coastal communities in Calabar South. The non-experimental nature of the study allowed for the collection of data on both nominal and ordinal scales, with socio-economic characteristics measured on the ordinal scale. Primary data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and direct field observations, while secondary data were sourced from national population records, community flood reports, and satellite imagery. The sampling strategy involved a multistage approach, where three flood-prone communities—Jebs/Ibesikpo Axis, Anantigha, and Eneobong Avenue—were purposively selected. The systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain data from households, with a total sample size of 585. Data analysis was conducted using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to test the relationship between community engagement and residents' flood risk perception. The results indicated a strong positive relationship, with the first canonical correlation coefficient of 0.96115, explaining 98.7 per cent of the variance. The findings highlight that higher community engagement is associated with reduced concern about flood risks, aligning with contemporary literature on community-based disaster risk reduction. The study emphasized the importance of incorporating community engagement in flood risk management strategies. The findings further support global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework, advocating for participatory approaches to disaster resilience. The results provided valuable insights for policymakers to enhance flood risk management by fostering collaboration between local authorities, NGOs, and communities.
Number of Pages: 20
Number of Words: 7114
First Page: 86
Last Page: 106