Abstract:
The study draws on the chaos theory, stakeholder theory and the integrated
planning approach to argue that local government authorities need to rethink the
integration of Disaster Risk Management [DRlVl] into local government
plalming for effective management of risks. A mixed method approach was used
for the study. The study design was descriptive and explorative. The stratified
random and purposive sampling procedure were used to sample the respondents
for the study. Interview guide, interview schedule, and observation guide were
used to collect the data. The SPSS version 25 was used to analysed the
quantitative data while the qualitative data was analysed using the thematic
analysis. The study found that even though there are Acts and laws that regulate
the physical planning and disaster management at the Metropolitan, Municipal
and District Assemblies [MMDAs1, in practice, there appears to be
discrepancies due to institutional challenges. Again, the MMDAs are not able
to use development control measures to control physical development due to
poor enforcement which has led to increase in residents' vulnerability to disaster
risks. Additionally, DRM has not been effectively integrated into the MMDAs'
local development planning because of unavailability of an integration
guideline. The study concludes that MMDAs are not adequately prepared to
manage disasters at the local level. The study therefore recommends that
MMDAs should be empowered to deal with disasters at the local level. A policy
guideline for integration of DRM into MMDAs plalming processes should be
provided. DRM agencies should effectively collaborate \"'ith all stakeholders ,
especially communities to achieve effective disaster risk management.
