The Impact of ITA-Wogba Creek’s Flooding on the Socio-Economic Activities of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Flood is one of the recurrent environmental problems that has affected urban communities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This study focused on the effect of flood in the Ita-Wogba Creek area on the socio-economic activities of people living in selected flood-prone communities in Port Harcourt Metropolis. This study was done to identify the causes of floods, examine the socio-economic effects of floods, find out the coping measures employed by people, and investigate the relationship between the occurrence of floods and socio-economic losses. The research adopted a descriptive survey design in conducting this study. Data was collected from 400 respondents using a multi-stage sampling method from four communities around the Ita-Wogba Creek area. The findings revealed that improper disposal of solid waste, inadequate drainage systems, poor urban planning, and rapid urbanisation are the major causes of flooding in the study area. Flooding was found to negatively affect livelihoods, damage residential and commercial properties, increase health risks, disrupt educational activities, and impose financial burdens on households. Temporary evacuation, construction of makeshift barriers, and elevation of household belongings were identified as the most common coping strategies adopted by residents. The study further established that flooding contributes to the prevalence of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, and malaria. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between flooding frequency and socio-economic losses (r = .881, p < .001), indicating that increased flood occurrence leads to greater socio-economic damage. The study concludes that flooding around Ita-Wogba Creek is largely driven by human-induced factors and poses significant socio-economic and public health challenges. It recommends improved drainage infrastructure, effective waste management, sustainable urban planning, and strengthened community-based flood management strategies.