Analysis of Military and Public Participation in Disaster Rescue Operations in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out basically to examine military and public participation in disaster rescue operations in Ahoada East L.G.A of Rivers State, Nigeria. Four objectives alongside one hypothesis were set out for the study. A total of 400 respondents were sampled for the study with the use of the Taro Yamane formula, but on distribution of copies of the questionnaire, only 370 copies were returned completely filled for the study. This was thereafter used in the analysis of the study alongside the Chi-Square analytical tool, which was used for hypothesis testing. The findings of the study revealed that the people partnered with the military in different segments of the study area towards disaster rescue, mostly on security and intelligence gathering. Military and public participation concentrated on disaster rescue operations. These rescue operations seem to have an impact on the people of the area. It is also revealed that the attitude of the Government to disaster rescue operations in the area has been positive and effective. The study has also revealed that statistically there is a significant impact of Military and public participation in disaster rescue operations. The study therefore recommended that there is a need for community participation in decision making for disaster management, as this will easily facilitate better communication leading to overall acceptability of the locals with the rescue operations. This positive outcome propagates the need for encouraging a close interaction and partnership between the public and the military. Based on the study outcome a partnership is being built. Such a development would ensure effective disaster rescue operations, monitoring, response recovery and preparedness.