UNDERSTANDING HOLISTIC DETERMINANTS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF PERSONNEL AND INTERVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES IN FLOOD-PRONE COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Incessant flooding with its impact on environmental sustainability and human survival has been implicated in the loss of valuables among the inhabitants of flood-prone communities in Nigeria. However, the dearth of mitigation methods to combat floods in Nigeria is worrisome thereby depreciating social and physical development. Therefore, understanding holistic determinants influencing the performance of environmental agencies’ personnel and intervention in flood-prone communities was investigated. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used with a sample size of 66 respondents selected from the 3 selected States, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos respectively. A survey design and questionnaire method were used for data collection. Socio-economic characteristics of personnel, readiness of agencies’ personnel advocacy (RAPA), and personnel and intervention performance (PIP) were the parameters studied. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive statistics, chi-square, and multivariate probit at α_0.05. Chi-square tested the relationship between variables which showed there was a significant relationship between age and flood management skills of personnel (χ² = 27.776, p = 0.03); and years of experience of personnel and free flow of information (χ² = 51.843, p = 0.00). Further, the multivariate probit model showed that the performance of personnel and intervention of environment agencies in flood management facilities (β= .633), flood management skills of personnel (β= .638), adequate flood management skills of personnel (β= -1.022), free flow of information (β= 1.074), and adequate staff development (β= .605) were significantly influenced by holistic factors such as marital status, creation of awareness and others. The study concluded that personnel investigated were observed to show readiness in advocacy of flood management and were actively engaged in deploying intervention. Technocrats and relevant stakeholders should prioritize policy formulation on environmental adaptation strategies.