Comparative Analysis of Erosion and Sedimentation Challenges in Efon-Alaaye and Idah Towns in Nigeria

Abstract

Efon-Alaaye and Idah have been reported to be the most critical cases of erosion in South-Western and North-Central Nigeria respectively. The aim of this research is to compare the erosion and sedimentation features in the two towns. It conducted on-site physical surveys, examined the type and causes of erosion in the communities, reviewed intervention efforts of statutory agencies, and recommended efficient control measures. Information was obtained through interviews, questionnaires, archival data and on-site evaluation. Respondents were selected through purposive and random sampling techniques and data analysed using bar charts, percentiles and mean ranking. It was observed that gully erosion is the most predominant in Efon- Alaaye, whilst in Idah, it is the sheet and rill type. The causes of erosion in Efon-Alaaye are mostly natural (i.e., topography and rainfall pattern), while in Idah, they are mostly due to indiscriminate human activities (e.g., poor town planning regulation, indiscriminate refuse disposal, uncontrolled land development and use and poor drainage), largely aided by the physiographic setting. The research work revealed that Efon-Alaaye witnessed a few cases of interventions by relief agencies, but in Idah most intervention mechanisms have been initiated by property owners and the inputs of statutory agencies have been extremely poor. Recommendations were offered to residents of both communities on implementing efficient, economic measures to control erosion spread; for statutory agencies to enforce necessary legislation to control indiscriminate human activities; and for intervention agencies to be alive to their responsibilities of disaster control and management.