ASSESSMENT OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODING IN SELECTED AREAS IN AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study assessed drainage system in Lafe, Oshinle and Orita Obele with a view to examining the use of controlling flood in selected areas in Akure, Ondo State. The study investigated the occurrence of flooding, identified the causes of flooding and assessed the effects of flooding in selected areas in Akure metropolis. 150 copies of questionnaires were randomly distributed to some road users which were the motorist and commuters and the residents of the selected areas in Akure. 90% of questionnaires were returned. The data collected was analysed by percentages to determine the severity of the occurrence, causes and effects of flooding in the selected areas while tables and bar chart were used for data presentation. Chi-square were used to assess the relationship between the drainage system and flood in selected areas. The result revealed that the significant effect of flooding in the areas were inadequate drainage and destruction of properties with 88.9%, Injury sustained with 84.4% and pollution /destruction of road with 88.9% at Lafe, Oshinle, and Orita-Obele respectively. Considering hypothesis testing at 0.05 significant level which established the acceptance of ( H1) alternate Hypothesis that X2cal> X2tab 87.689a>7.26 at Lafe, X2cal> X2tab i.e 59.787a>7.26 at Oshinle and X2cal> X2tab i.e 76.755a>7.26 at Orita-Obele, which revealed that flood had severe effect in the selected areas as a result of inadequate drainage system. The study concluded that road surface drainage of the study area found to be inadequate due to improper maintenance and lack of proper interconnection between the road and drainage infrastructures thereby resulting to flooding problems in the area. The study recommended that government should provide adequate drainages system and maintain the existing ones and put up a regulatory measure to curb incessant dumping of refuse to avoid block drains in order to prevent regular occurrence of flooding in the selected areas.