Assessment of the Effect of Inadequate Drainage Network on the Environment and Infrastructures

Abstract

The rapid increase in urbanization without corresponding infrastructures in the city of Keffi, combined with incipient and prolong weather conditions, has led to increased incidences of flood as the available drainage channels cannot contend with the volume of storm water. In this light, this study assessed the effects of inadequate drainage networks on the environment and infrastructures in Keffi, Nigeria. Employing a survey research design, 400 copies of questionnaire were administered to 400 households in five randomly sampled wards. In addition, 10 staff of Keffi Local Government who are directly involved in handling developmental projects in the area were interviewed for clarifications on reasons for inadequate drainage networks in Keffi. Descriptive statistics tools of frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data obtained on variables of interest with respect to objectives of the study. The results revealed that about 47.25% of the respondents said devastating incidence of storm water occur every year in their zone and 41.75% said it occurred most parts of the year. The frequency of storm water destructions is compounded with its intensity as over 59% of the sampled population agreed that the intensity of damages due to inappropriately channelled storm water is very high in Keffi. On the perceived causes of inadequate drainage channel, the result indicated that abuse of land use plans (28.75%) was a major factor followed by poor monitoring and evaluation of project (20.25%). Also, it was revealed that the drainages in Keffi were very narrow and shallow. The inappropriately channelled storm water due to inadequate drainages often leads to erosion on streets (96%), silting of streets and compounds (86%), destruction of electric poles (75.5%), blocking of channels with wastes (75%) and inundating of streets, roads and compounds (71.5%). Based on these findings, the study recommended that since Keffi is located in a tropical zone characterized by heavy rainfall, the government should take proactive measure to mitigate storm water. The present drainage systems should be cleared with shovel by the people on a regular basis to allow for a free flow of storm water. Every existing drainage in Keffi should be inspected for possible upgrade with respect to their water volume capacity and house owners are encouraged to always make provision for drainage as an indispensable part of their building.