Posted: 2022 | Pages: 149 | Format: MS Word | Chapters: 1-5 | Others: Questionnaires & References

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ABSTRACT

Flooding in Uburu has long been in existence, this flooding is frequent in Umunaga, Umuchima and Mgbom villages of Uburu in Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State. It results from over flow of Asu River into the low plain of the river bank. When there is heavy rainfall farmlands, crops and properties are destroyed. This study is aimed at analyzing the impact of flooding on residential property investment in Uburu-Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State. The objectives include to examine the causes of flooding in Uburu-Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State, to find out the effect of flooding on residential property investment in Ohaozara and to investigate the efforts of government in reducing or mitigating the effects of flooding. The survey research design was adopted for this research. In order to calculate the sample size the research used the stratified random sample technique composed by Yamane (1983) known as Taro Yamane formula. A total number of 152 questionnaire were distributed, 89 questionnaires, were distributed evenly to the landlord/ Tenants of residential properties in the three villages mentioned above, 46 questionnaires were distributed to staff of Ministry of Housing Ebonyi State, 17 were also distributed to Registered Estate Surveyors and valuers in the state Ministry of lands and Survey. It was discovered that rainfall is the main cause of flooding in Uburu-Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi state, which results from over flowing of Asu River into the low plan of the river bank, the excess water flows outwards to the direction of the slope, submerging farmlands, crops, buildings, the study recommends the channeling of excess water contained in the river (Asu River) which results from rainfall to nearly bigger river that can accommodate the excess water. In conclusion It is extremely sympathetic and agonizing that Uburu-Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State with its abundant human and natural resources the communities live in constant fear and threat especially during the rainy season for fear of flood submerging their communities thereby leading to insecurity of lives and properties, to this end  the government should step in and improve the living condition of indigenes of affected parts of the study area.

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION
• BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Hydrological service of PAGASA (2010), defined flood as “an abnormal progressive rise in the water level of a stream that may result in the over flowing by the water of the normal confines of the stream with the subsequent inundation of areas which are not normally submerged. Similarly, flooding is defined according to Adinna (2006) “as when water bodies rises into an area above their normal levels. Also Iwena (2008) defined flood as the Occurrence of excessive volume of water in areas not usually water logged. From the three (3) definition above, flooding could be seen as the body of water that rise to overflow land, which is not normally submerged, but covering an area when it overflows, the excess water flows out ward causing damages to building structures crops etc.

Flooding is caused by many factors, first, rainfall, when there is excessive and prolonged rainfall water tends to overflow the land when this occurs, it causes flooding. Second, Onyema (2005) stated that dams are built to store up water, in other words, dam may break loose and the whole water rushes onto the environment causing flooding of that area. Third, Refuse dumping on drainages often block culverts or river channels, when there is refuse dumping in drainages, it blocks the culverts, thereby making that particular environment to have a protracted flooding. Fourth, poor drainages system or lack of culverts, when there is poor drainage system or lack of culverts, it affects the town. Due to poor drainage system, a lot of water logged will be found within that environment.

When this excessive and prolonged rain occurs, it has great impact in land and property therein y exposing the lower part of the building and the water overflowing into the properties. This threat posed by flood reduces the value of land and building as well as discourages red property development in that area, because more fund will be needed to reclaim the land and to construct foundation that can withstand the soil type and flood in that area. Hence the aesthetic view of this food areas will be greatly depreciated with time, this effect will make real estate investors and property developers to shy away from these flood prone areas.

Uburu is a town in Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State which is also a victim of this menace of flooding. The flooding in Uburu was and still is as a result of overflowing of Asu River into the low plan of the river bank which flows outward into the neighboring village causing damage to lives and property. The Asu River is actually the main source of water to the communities affected, this is one of the reason why the people settled in the area so that they can have access to a major water source. During peak period of the rain seasons the river overflowing its bank and escape into the nearby farm land and villages. The very low lying basin helps the water to escape into hinter land and cause panic among the villages the water level grows about 1.22 meters above the ground.

As the water level increases, flood water enters dwelling homes, destroying household equipments. In extreme cases, the villages have to move to out of their settlements until the water returns to a management level. In most situations the flood also enters into farmland destroying crops in mass. From the information gathered during the cause of this research work, it was discovered that this flooding does not occur every year. In some year, when the rain is heavy, by the calculations of the habitants, the flood many not rise to an alarming level. It comes and goes in less than two (2) to three (3) days, homes are not affected and damages to crops in the farm will be at reduced manner.

Briggs (2007) stated that it leads to economic loses of building, making people homeless, and damage for real properties becomes high, most especially in the area which has not been affected by flood. It leads to financial implication, when flooding occurs in an area lots of equipment are damaged and some of the materials may be irreplaceable due to high replacement cost. Cost of construction becomes high for proposed development and would require special types of foundation and cost of property maintenance and repairs will sharply rise. Access road plays important role in the development of an economy; it is an important determinant of property values, for property that is well located and has easy access, tends to command higher volume than others. Flooding makes it difficult to gain easy access to some area in Uburu, thereby affecting property for residential purpose and various purposes that lead to development.

Against this background, it became necessary for the researcher to investigate the impact of flooding on residential property development in Uburu- Ohaozara L.G.A of Ebonyi State.