Flood Management in an Urban Setting: A Case Study of Ibadan Metropolis

Abstract

This paper revisits flooding problems in Ibadan Metropolis, in the past fifty years, especially the most recent flood of August 2011. Flood disasters can be attributed to the unnecessary risks people take when they encroach on flood plains. There will be no flood disasters if human beings stayed away from the flood plains.

The methodology adopted for the flood investigations includes site visits, interviews of affected inhabitants, and analyses of flood data collected during the field investigations. These investigations were complemented with review of past records of flooding, and interpretation of satellite imagery of flood affected areas, especially for inaccessible areas, to produce flood hazard maps.

Results of the spatial analysis of flooding in the 11 local government areas of Ibadan indicate that 26,553 buildings were constructed within the statutory set back to the rivers and streams while 2,105 were flooded. Large scale encroachment into the river floodplains was observed throughout the area.  The major cause of flooding in Ibadan Metropolis is due to uncontrolled urbanization of the area.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted that there will be very heavy rains and flooding in a number of states in Nigeria in 2012. In Oyo State, Ibadan is specifically mentioned as a city to experience flooding. This emphasises the urgent need to put in place measures to facilitate effective management of the anticipated floods to prevent the re-occurrence of the damage and losses of the 2011 disaster.