International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

Riverine communities in Rivers State, Nigeria, rely heavily on inland waterways for transportation; however, their integration into disaster response and relief coordination remains insufficiently explored. This gap limits the effectiveness of emergency access in areas frequently affected by flooding and geographical isolation. This study examines the spatial proximity of inland waterway networks and their potential role in enhancing disaster response and relief coordination in Rivers State. Specifically, the research assesses the accessibility of inland waterways from key Port Harcourt terminals, evaluates their contribution to disaster management, and identifies operational challenges affecting their efficiency.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measured distances between major water transport terminals, Nembe Waterside, Abonnema Wharf, Marine Base, Iwofe, and Abuloma, and selected riverine communities, including Bonny, Okrika, Bakana, Kalio, Ogbakiri, Isiaka, and Okujagu. The results indicate distances ranging from approximately 10 km to 53 km, highlighting the strategic advantage of inland waterways for rapid emergency access. In addition, a structured questionnaire was administered to 373 respondents comprising local stakeholders and water transport operators to assess perceptions of the role of inland waterways in disaster response and the challenges affecting their operations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean scores, and the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation to examine the relationship between the contributions of waterways and associated operational challenges.

The findings reveal that inland waterways play a critical role in disaster response and relief coordination. Respondents strongly agreed that water transport facilitates rapid evacuation, enables efficient distribution of relief materials, and improves access to otherwise isolated communities, with an overall mean score of 2.93 for contributions. However, several operational challenges were identified, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, security concerns, and insufficient training for operators, with a mean score of 2.90. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderately strong positive relationship (r = 0.68) between perceived contributions and operational challenges, suggesting that increased reliance on waterways exposes existing operational bottlenecks.

The study recommends improving water transport infrastructure and navigable channels, strengthening security along water routes, providing modern boats and emergency equipment, and implementing targeted training programs for water transport operators. Additionally, policy harmonization, improved institutional coordination, and community engagement are essential for sustainable implementation. Integrating inland waterways into formal disaster management frameworks will significantly enhance rapid response capacity and resilience in vulnerable riverine communities.