Impact of Coastal Erosion on Alpha Beach Community in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Coastal erosion is a dominant seasonal climatic factor in Alpha beach community as a result of rise in sea level. The Impact of Coastal erosion on Alpha beach community in Lagos, Nigeria was investigated. The research was motivated by the condition in Alpha beach area as affected by coastal erosion. A total of 60 people living in Alpha beach community in Lagos, Nigeria were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The instrument was validated through peer review and pilot testing. Data collected were summarized and computed using descriptive statistics and Likert scaling test. Results showed that ninety-two percent of the respondents affirmed that coastal erosion destroyed their infrastructure and properties, distorted their business and increased environmental pollution. It impacted negatively on their social lives leading to relocation of some members of the community and retardation of community development. It also reduced the reliability of ocean shipping, impacted negatively on marine lives and activities, thus increasing economic risks. It was recommended that the government and other stakeholders should come to the aid of the community by providing them with affordable health services and armoring the shoreline with seawalls, revetments and jetties to remedy the adverse effects of the coastal erosion.