Flooding and Underdevelopment in Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study investigates flood and its attendant underdevelopment in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. It adopted descriptive survey design. A sample of 190 was drawn from ten communities in Yenagoa local government Area, using simple random sampling technique. 14 item structured questionnaire titled as ‘Flood and underdevelopment in Bayelsa State Questionnaire’ (FUBSQ) was use for data collection. The instrument was based on positive and negative response of (Agree or Disagree). The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage statistics for research questions. Findings revealed that flooding in Bayelsa State has led to loss of lives and properties, migration, decline economic activities, irregular school curriculum etc. Thus, the followings were recommended; Government should design her academic calendar to overcome flooding effect on school curriculum, effective implementation of environmental legislation and control on waste disposal in water log zones such as streams, rivers, creeks, lakes etc., building of a dam that will control water movement in our country after Lagdo Dam has been close in Cameroun,  and government partnership with various agencies to take necessary steps to provide aid to the victims during flood.