Sources of Information and Awareness of Government Programmes on Climate Change among Rural Households in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change is a clear threat to all sectors of the Nigerian socio - economic development including the natural ecosystems. This study ascertained the available sources of information and awareness of government  programmes on climate change among rural households in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The region is Nigeria's largest wetland region and the third largest wetland in the world. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in an interactive manner to collect data from 400 rural households selected through multistage random sampling technique. The findings revealed that majority of the rural households received climate change  information mostly through mediated and non-professional inter-personal sources. Also, majority of the rural households were aware of the ban on indiscriminate tree felling, bush burning and gas flaring as well as   government’s efforts in promoting afforestation. They however, perceived these programmes to be poorly  implemented. Though the people of Niger Delta were aware of the existence of legislative committees on climate change in the National Assembly, they asserted that their impact were poorly felt in the region. The study therefore points to the need to strengthen communities’ capacity to manage their resources, raise awareness of climate  change problems among the populace and build the capacities of local institutions to support disaster management policies. There is also the need for government to partner with private telecommunication providers to send short messages services on climate change to their clients at regular intervals.

Key words: Climate change, Niger Delta, Awareness, Information sources, Legislative committees