Flooding and Erosion in Rivers State: A review of Environmental Laws and Policies for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Floods are both man-made and natural occurrences. Sadly, the impact of flooding and erosion significantly impacts the environment and the livelihoods of people. Floods and erosion that killed some of the most people and destroyed properties recorded in Nigeria were caused directly by human actions exacerbating climate change. There are laws and policies that are in place to provide the framework to guide human excesses and for mitigating floods and erosion; however, considerable attention has yet to be given to review to what extent these laws and policies have been implemented. Thus, the article discusses Rivers State's existing environmental laws and policies regarding flooding and erosion. The failure to implement and adhere to the relevant environmental laws has resulted in many floods and erosion in Rivers State. Hence, the relevant state actors need to demonstrate political will by providing the resources and facilities that facilitate the sustainable implementation of environmental laws and policies to curb server flooding and erosion in River State.