Environmental Laws in Nigeria: Negligence and Compliance in the Building of Houses on Erosion and Flood Prone Areas in the South-South Region of Nigeria

This research work examined the assessment of Environmental Laws in Nigeria: Negligence and Compliance in the Building of Houses on Erosion and Flood Prone Areas in the South-South Region of Nigeria. Data for this study were collected from primary and secondary sources, through the administration of one thousand, seven hundred and twenty eight (1,728) copies of questionnaire using the random sampling method on respondents. Simple percentages, charts, student’s t-test, anova, and correlation statistical techniques were used in the analysis of the data collected. The results of the analysis revealed that 32.1% were in compliance; while 67.9% were non-compliance with environmental laws in the building of houses on erosion and flood prone areas in the South-South Region of Nigeria. The null hypothesis one was rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis, which states that, there is a significant difference between the level of compliance in the building on erosion and flood prone areas within the study area. The study therefore recommends that, at present, all levels of Government should place more emphasis on the construction of flood and erosion control works, whenever there is flood and erosion menace. Although, the incorporation of the biological aspect with that of flooding and erosion control measures has proved to be somewhat effective, a more sustainable control of flooding and erosion problem should be advocated.