TITLE:
Socio-Economic Implications of Recurrent Flooding on Women Development in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta Area of Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Oluyemi Ayorinde Akintoye, Abiodun Komomo Eyong, Devine Offiong Effiong, Peter Okpe Agada, Opaminola Nicholas Digha
KEYWORDS:
Recurrent Flooding, Women Development, Socio-Economic Activities, Niger Delta Area
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.8,
August
10,
2016
ABSTRACT: The main
purpose of this study is to identify the socio-economic implications of
re-current flooding on women development in southern Ijaw Local Government
Area. Generally, flooding may result in socio-economic, ecological and health
problems. This study assumes that on flood days the movement of customers and
sellers tends to be hindered, thus resulting in the retardation of transactions
and the reduction of daily income earned. The study compared the situation of
female traders with that of male traders. Both primary and secondary data were
used in this study. Primary data were collected using an open-ended
questionnaire. A total of 83 questionnaires were randomly distributed to
members of four communities, which were selected through stratified random
sampling procedures. Also 33 randomly selected women and men respectively,
engaged in marketing activities from open and locked-up shops, were sampled to
observe the level of their personal income (in Naira), from customers patronage
during 3 flood days and 3 non-flood days. Other data and information were
obtained through Key Informants Interview (KII), and observations. Hypotheses I
and II were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical model. Null
hypothesis I (H0), which states that “There is no statistically
significant difference in the income earned by men and women traders from
marketing activities on flood days and non-flood days in Southern Ijaw Local
Government Area, Bayelsa State”, is accepted (F-value: 3.8723939, P-value: 2.494E-05),
whereas null hypothesis II (H0), which states that “There is no
statistically significant difference in the income earned by women traders from
marketing activities on flood and non-flood days in Southern Ijaw Local Government
Area, Bayelsa State, is rejected (F-value: 2.524902, P-value: 0.030069). Thus
while there is no significant difference in the earnings of male and female
traders on flood and non-flood days, there are significant differences in sales
earning among women traders on those days. Factors affecting trading income on
flood and non-flood days include accessibility to business premises by
customers, ability of male marketers to afford non-easily flooded business premises;
and women traders with limited resources often have less suitably drained
premises. Reduced total household income can detrimentally affect food
affordability, availability, household nutrition, family health and wellbeing.
Recommendations highlighting the roles of communities, government and stakeholders
in flood management are proffered.