Evaluation of the Effect of 2022 Flooding on Business Activities in Lokoja Metropolis

Abstract

Flooding has become a global issue and its effect varies with the level of flooding at a given period. In the wake of urban floods, public and commercial institutions are currently finding it difficult to develop and assess risk management and adjustment methods that include land use planning and urbanization patterns in addition to systems for flood prevention and early notifications. Flooding is one of the negative effects of global warming and most countries in the world are making effort to reduce its associated effects. This study examined the effect of 2022 flooding on business activities in Lokoja Metropolis. The study used a survey research design and a Taro Yamani sample size selection method to select 400 respondents. Questionnaire was administered to the respondents based on simple random selection and the data was analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) regression. The findings show that 2022 flooding exerts negative and statistically significant effect on business activities. there was low business patronage and high cost of goods during the flood period.  Also, the findings show that small businesses were mostly affected during the flood period than large businesses. The study therefore recommends dredging of the River Niger and River Benue to increase water holding capacity. Also, there should be enactment of laws against building or citing of businesses along flood route to reduce the level of damages during flooding.