Limiting Factors and Coping Strategies with Water Security Challenges in Makurdi Town, Nigeria
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Abstract
The overall aim of water resource management is to ensure water security for all. Unfortunately, meeting this aspiration has become a critical global challenge particularly in the developing countries due to an array of problems. Makurdi town for instance is contending with many issues that impede efforts targeted at achieving water security for the growing population. This study assessed the limiting factors and coping strategies adopted by residents to deal with water security challenges. Data was gathered via the questionnaire administered to 404 respondents mainly household heads (both male and female), using the systematic random sampling technique. The Principal Component Analysis identified four underlying factors (which together explain 93.4% of the total variance in the data set) affecting water security. The results also showed that households employ multiple coping strategies, most of which are perceived to be effective. The Fisher’s Exact statistic was employed to test for association between neighbor class and the adoption of coping strategies. The results revealed that neighborhood class significantly influence reliance on certain coping strategies, including the use of multiple water sources (p=0.012), purchasing water from vendors (p = 0.016), and storing water in big containers (p = 0.030). The study concludes that addressing water security challenges in Makurdi town will involve adopting innovative and cost-effective strategies. The study recommends among other things that Government should invest more resources into water supply projectsto ensure people have unhindered access to portable water.
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