nigerian state profiling project - rivers state

8/3/2019 Nigerian State Profiling Project - Rivers State

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Rivers StateTreasure Base of the Nation

STATE PROFILE

History: Formed in 1967

Location: South-south zone

Capital: Port Harcourt

Major Towns and Cities: Ahoada, Bonny, Opobo, Elele, Obigbo,

Buguma, Abonema, Ogoni, Bori, Degema, and Okrika

Population:5.2 million; 3.7% of Nigerias population

Land Area: 10,575 square kilometers; 1.2% of Nigerias land area

Climate: Two seasons annually; a rainy season and a dry season

Official Language: English

Principal Languages: Ikwerre; Ijaw

Religion: Predominantly Christian, but Islam and traditional faiths

are also common

Border States: Anambra, Imo and Abia to the north; Akwa Ibom

to the east; Bayelsa and Delta to the west


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ABOUT RIVERS STATE

Rivers State, which is known as the Treasure Base of the Nation,

is one of the 36 states that make up the Federal Republic of

Nigeria. The countrys capital of Abuja, like Washington DC in the

United States, constitutes a further independent jurisdiction, so

Nigeria has 37 states in total.

The state, which is in the south-south geographic zone, is one of

the countrys smaller states in terms of land size, and its

population of 5.2 million people accounts for 3.7% of Nigerias

people.

Located in the Niger Delta and true to its name, the state has

many rivers, lakes, streams and lagoons, and borders on the

Atlantic coast. It has a varied topography, which includes

freshwater zones, coastal zones and mangrove swamps.

Rivers State is largely rural in character, but it has several cities,

including the capital, Port Harcourt. Nigerias second-largest port

is located here, as is a major railway terminal and a large

international airport. The city has a long tradition of trade, is

serviced by an established financial services sector, and is

connected to all of the neighbouring states by a good system of

roads and highways.

As in the rest of the south-south and south-east zones, the

climate in Rivers State is characterised by two seasons annually;

a rainy season and a dry season. The long rainy season, which

lasts from February until November, brings up to

4,700 millimetres of rain along the coast and around

1,700 millimetres in the north. The average annual temperature

is 26C, and average monthly temperatures vary by only about

2C between the rainy season and the dry season.

With its high annual rainfall and fertile farmlands, Rivers State

produces many high-yield crops, including yam, cassava,

cocoyam, maize, beans and lowland rice. Vegetables, melons,

pineapples and plantains are also widely grown. In particular, it is

known for its oil palms, with this tree being so ubiquitous that


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the vegetation in many of the inland parts of the state is referred

to as oil palm bush.

The state does, however, face some significant environmental

challenges, especially as it is at the centre of Nigerias oil and gas

industry. Water, land and air pollution therefore all pose

challenges, as does the flooding and soil erosion that is common

throughout the region. These issues are therefore a key focus for

government, which is working hard to address them.

The states population is ethnically diverse, and includes people

from such groups as the Igbo, the Ikwerre and Ijaw, most of

whom are engaged in agriculture, either at subsistence or

commercial level. Farming, fishing and husbandry are all

practised very successfully too, as is rabbit breeding.

There is a strong tradition of trade and industry in the state, and

it is particularly known for its oil, gas and allied industries. It has a

vibrant commercial sector as well, and many initiatives to

support the development of small, medium and micro

enterprises. Great investment potential exists in all of these

sectors, as it does in the states budding tourism industry, which

offers access to many natural, cultural and historic attractions.

Rivers State is governed by a democratically-elected government

and elected representatives in its various local government

areas. It also has an independent judiciary and a number of

traditional institutions, including the State Council of Traditional

Rulers.

With its abundant water resources, varied topography,

productive farming sector, extensive commercial sector, rich

cultural heritage, alluring tourist attractions and its mainstay oil

and natural gas industry, Rivers State has much to offer, and truly

lives up to its name of Treasure Base of the Nation.


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LAND AND PEOPLE

GEOGRAPHY

Rivers State is one of six states in Nigerias south-south

geographic zone and is situated in the Niger Delta, the countrys

oil-producing region. It extends over 10,575 square kilometers

and has a population of 5.2 million, accounting for 3.7% of the

total population. Most people live in rural areas, but many live in

the capital city ofPort Harcourt and in the states other towns.

The capital city of Port Harcourt is home to the second largest

port in Nigeria, a large international airport and a major railway

terminus. A good system of roads connects the city to other parts

of the state as well as to towns and cities in neighbouring states.

The agricultural areas in Rivers State are highly arable, and a

wide variety of crops are grown there, including cassava and oil

palm. Policy is focused on developing large-scale food farming,

and the state government has instituted many initiatives aimed

at fulfilling this goal.

Location

One of the six states in the south-south zone

Rivers State is one of the six states in the south-south geopolitical

zone of Nigeria. It is located between latitudes 4020 and 5

050' N

and longitudes 6020 and 7

035 E.

The state shares common boundaries with the states of

Anambra, Imo and Abia to the north; Akwa Ibom to the east, and

Bayelsa and Delta to the west. As it is a coastal state, the Atlantic

Ocean lies to the south.

Rivers State is 10,575 square kilometres in size, representing

1.2% of Nigerias total land area.


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Commerce and Industry

Ideally situated for all types of trade

The strategic significance of Rivers State and its importance to

the Nigerian economy have earned it the name Treasure Base of

the Nation. The capital city of Port Harcourt, on the other hand,

has become known throughout Nigeria as Garden City because of

its superb layout and beautiful environment.

One of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in Africa, it is close

to Nigerias two largest commercial cities; Aba in Abia State and

Nnewi in Anambra State. It is also accessible by road from most

parts of the south-eastern states (Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia

and Enugu), as well as from some of the states in the south-southgeopolitical zone, namely Cross River and Akwa lbom. It is one of

the railway station towns on the eastern railway route too, all of

which means it is perfectly situated for all types of trade.

Port Harcourt is the second-largest sea port in Nigeria, and is

strategically located on an established trading route. Apart from

its accessibility by sea, road and rail, the citys international

airport, one of three in the country, provides a gateway to the

entire southern and south-eastern region.

Rivers State is also home to the Onne Oil and Gas Free TradeZone, which offers many commercial advantages.

Topography and Flora

Three distinct topographical zones

Rivers State has a varied topography, which can be grouped into

three types: freshwater zones, coastal zones and mangrove

swamps. These are criss-crossed by the maze of rivers, lakes,

streams and lagoons that occur throughout the state.

The mangrove swamps, which occur in the delta environment

between the coast and the interior, are generally no more than

20 metres above sea level. They are found in the Akuku-Toru,

Abua-Odial, Asari-Toru, Degema, Okrika, Ogu-Bolo, Bonny,

Andoni and Opobo local government areas, and are


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characterised by three species of mangrove, the most common

of which is the stilt-rooted Rhizophora Racemosa.

A freshwater zone extends northwards from these mangrove

swamps, and a freshwater flood plain extends to the west and

the south west. This is broken up in many places by homoclinal

or hogback ridges, which alternate with shallow basins.

The flood plain, which straddles the upper and lower deltas of

the Niger River, features freshwater trees that are edaphic

variants of the types found in rainforest areas. These include the

abura tree, the oil palm and the raffia palm, and these are usually

found together with a variety of shrubs, lianas, ferns, floating

grasses and reeds.

The northern freshwater zone is characterised by rainforest

vegetation, which is the predominant form of vegetation in

southern Nigeria. Many economically-viable trees grow here, the

most important of which is the oil palm. In fact, the extensive

palm coverage found in the inland parts of the state have led to

this kind of vegetation being called oil palm bush.

Most water channels in the freshwater zones are bordered by

natural levees, which are not only of topographical interest, but

of great economic importance, as they are used for settlements

and to cultivate crops. The lower flood plain of the Niger River is,

however, also characterised by a silt and clay foundation, which

makes it susceptible to heavy perennial flooding, and the

southern areas are affected by tidal fluctuations too.

Fourteen of the states 23 local government areas are situated on

higher-lying ground, though. This varies between 20 and 45

metres above sea level, and is the highest at Okubie in the south

west. These areas include Ogoni, lkwerre, Ahoada, Abual-Odual,

0gba-Egbema-Ndoni and Port Harcourt. The drier upland zones

account for approximately 61% of the states land area, while the

riverine and coastal areas with a relief range of up to five metres

account for about 39%.

The narrow coastal sand ridges zone, which occurs on the

Atlantic seaboard, is made up of beaches and sandy ridges. The


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soil in these areas is mainly sandy or sandy loam, and it supports

crops like coconut, oil palm, raffia palm and cocoyam.

The varied topography in Rivers State poses many challenges,

both economic and ecological. The major environmental issues

that government has to deal with include beach and creek

erosion, deforestation, and the effects of heavy rainfall on soil

quality.

Oil exploration has caused further environmental problems such

as oil spillage and other forms of water, air and land pollution.

Spillage, which comes about as a result of crude oil exploitation

and transportation, is a major environmental challenge, as are

blowouts and pipeline ruptures. Spillage causes extensive surface

water pollution, endangers flora and fauna, and causes a

reduction in soil productivity. Both state and federal government

have, however, put several programmes in place to address

these issues.

Climate

A hot, sub-tropical climate

There are two seasons in the year, a rainy season and a dry

season. The rainy season is, however, so long that only the

months of December and January really qualify as dry season

months.

Total annual rainfall measures between 1,700 millimetres in the

north of the state and 4,700 millimetres on the coast, and is

therefore more than adequate to support crop production

throughout the year.

In Port Harcourt, the heaviest precipitation occurs during the

month of September, when an average of 370 millimetres is

measured. This is in sharp contrast to rainfall in December, when

the monthly average is only 20 millimetres.

The average monthly temperature in the state is between 250C

to 280C, while the average annual temperature is 26

0C. The

hottest months of the year are between February and May, but


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the difference in average temperature between the dry season

and the wet season is only about 20C. Relative humidity is high

throughout the year, although it obviously decreases slightly in

the dry season.

Natural Landmarks

A state of lakes, rivers and lagoons

Forests and forest reserves occur throughout Rivers State, but

are more common in the north-western freshwater zone.

Unfortunately, both natural and cultivated forests have been

excessively exploited over the years, without sufficient attention

being given to re-growth, stock density and species diversity.

Many areas, in fact, have now been permanently converted foragricultural use or for housing, road construction and industrial

estates. Despite this, there are still large areas of forest in the

state, and some of these are now being sustainably cultivated for

use in the paper and pulp industry.

As far as water resources are concerned, the state is criss-crossed

by many lakes, rivers, streams and lagoons, all of which flow into

the Atlantic Ocean in the south. This plentiful supply of water

provides substantial opportunities for development, especially as

a source of hydro-electric power and for transportation

purposes.

The fishing industry also offers great potential for development.

Around 270 species of fish have been identified in the states

freshwater areas, as well as in the ocean off its coast. Seafood

such as crab, oysters and shrimp is plentiful too, and fishing is

therefore the main occupation for the people living in the

riverine and coastal areas.

The fishing population remains largely artisanal, though, so there

is tremendous potential to develop more large-scale operations.

With suitable investment and modern technology, the industry

can be developed to create jobs and generate wealth for

investors, the states people and government alike.


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NATURAL RESOURCES

Characterised by an extensive network of rivers, lakes and

lagoons, Rivers State is well endowed with water resources. It

therefore has a strong agricultural sector, and produces many of

the crops for which West Africa is known. It also has well-

developed fishing and livestock industries, which flourish in the

states rural areas.

The state has rich deposits of oil and natural gas too, and it

accounts for half of the countrys crude oil production. Other

natural resources available for commercial exploitation include

silica sand, glass clay, rubber, raffia and jute.

Agriculture and Livestock

A wide variety of crops

The agricultural cycle is, of course, determined by the seasonal

distribution of rainfall.

As Rivers State lies within a rainforest belt and so receives

abundant rain, its arable land and tropical climate supports the

production of a wide variety of high-yield cash crops. These

include yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, beans and lowland rice.

Vegetables, melons, pineapples and plantains are also widely

grown.

Forestry and Vegetation

Many economically-viable tree species

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total

area covered by forest reserves and plantations in 2006 was

25,000 hectares and 231 hectares respectively.

These tracts of land fulfil an important ecological function byprotecting watersheds, maintaining ecological balance and

preventing sheet and gully erosion. They also provide an array of

economically-viable trees, from which products like rubber,

raffia, jute and palm oil are derived. Some species provide timber


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for use in construction, in the paper and pulp industries, and for

fuel.

Although the states forests have been unsustainably exploited in

the past few decades, fairly large forest areas are still to be found

in all of the local government areas.

Water Resources

A state of abundant water

The extensive network of rivers, lakes, creeks, lagoons and

swamps in Rivers State, all of which flow out into the Atlantic

Ocean in the south, offer many opportunities for investment and

development. Significant prospects exist in the fishing, hydroelectric and water transportation sectors too, and there is great

potential for the development of tourist facilities.

Mineral Deposits

The state accounts for half of Nigerias crude oil production

Rivers State has rich deposits of oil and gas, and much of the

countrys oil revenue is earned here, as the state accounts for

nearly half of Nigerias crude oil production. There are also

substantial deposits of silica sand and glass clay in various areas,which are available for commercial exploitation.

Several surveys and studies have been conducted on the uses

and applications of silica sand and glass clay by both the Federal

Ministry of Mines and Solid Mineral Development and the

Federal Raw Materials Research and Development Council. The

state government has a programme for the orderly and

ecologically-sound exploitation of these minerals in partnership

with the private sector, and all of this information is available to

potential investors.

The federal government is also implementing a number of

policies and programmes to mitigate against the environmental

impact of the oil and gas industry. Like all other oil- and gas-

producing states in Nigeria, Rivers State is exposed to such


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environmental challenges as gas flares, oil spillage, water

pollution, and de-vegetation. The federal governments efforts to

coordinate clean-ups and to regulate the oil industry are,

however, expected to minimise the environmental impact of the

industry.

PEOPLE AND POPULATION

Rivers State is one of Nigerias smaller states, and it has a mainly

rural population of 5.2 million. Its people are of varied ethnicity,

and include individuals from such groups as the Igbo, Ikwerre and

Ijaw. The state is therefore characterised by cultural practices

and traditions of different kinds, many of which have great

tourist appeal.

Enterprising and hard-working, the states people are proud of

their abilities in agriculture, fishing, craft, commerce and

industry, and live together peacefully.

Demographics

A glimpse at the numbers

According to the 2006 Nigerian census estimates, Rivers State

has a population of nearly 5.2 million people, who occupy a landarea of 10,575square kilometres. The state therefore accounts

for 3.7% of Nigeria's population, and has a population density of

almost 492 people per square kilometre.

The People of Rivers State

Hardworking and highly skilled

Enterprising and highly skilled, the people of Rivers State are

known to be resourceful, hardworking, sociable, friendly,

accommodating, peace-loving, and law-abiding. This combinationof characteristics enables them to live and work together

peacefully, despite the fact that they are from many different

backgrounds.


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The main occupations in the state are fishing, farming, palm oil

milling and gin distillery. Fishing, in particular, is a traditional

industry, and is an artisanal occupation practised by people living

in the many riverine areas. Farming is also widely practised,

although mainly on a subsistence level.

Secondary occupations include weaving, boat-building, and bead-

making, and many people are employed in various aspects of

commerce and industry. A smaller number are employed in the

civil service.

As there are a number of different ethnic groups in Rivers State,

social and cultural characteristics and practices vary. The Ikwerre

and Ijaw groups, however, have much in common with the Igbo

group that predominates in many of the neighbouring states.

Geographic Distribution

A predominantly rural population

Population distribution in Rivers State is similar to that which

prevails in most other states in Nigeria. Most people live in rural

areas, and dispersed village settlements are the predominant

form of habitation.

The main urban centres in the state are the capital city of Port

Harcourt and the towns of Abonnema, Omoku, Okrika, Oyigbo,

Elele, Ahoada, Obigbo, Buguma, Ogoni, Bori, Degema, Bonny and

Opobo. Most commercial and industrial enterprises are

concentrated in these centres, and migration to the cities is

driven by the availability of work and the potential for career

development.

Again as in much of the rest of Nigeria, there is a near-even

gender distribution in the state, with 51.4% of the population

being male and 46.2% being female (NBS: 2006). Individuals

between 15 and 29 years of age constitute 31.6% of the

population, while those over the age of 70 constitute 2.25%. A

total of 60.8% falls into the 15 to 64 age bracket normally

regarded as the working population, which means that 39.2% of

the population is dependent. Rivers State has a dependency ratio


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of 0.5, which means that one person is dependent on every two

economically-active individuals.

There is a sizeable seasonal migration of workers, with especially

young, able-bodied men migrating to the urban centres during

the dry season, and then returning to the rural areas during the

rainy season. This trend nevertheless has little impact on the

agricultural labour force. This is due to the fact that many

seasonal migrants learn a trade or acquire specialised training in

the urban centres, and then return to the rural areas to practice

their trade or set up an independent enterprise. Many work as

masons, technicians, tractor drivers, carpenters, motor

mechanics and the like.

The riverine areas in the central and western parts of the state

are characterised by low population density, as there is limited

dry and safe land for settlement and agriculture. Over 50% of the

states population is therefore concentrated in eight local

government areas, five of which are in the upland region.

The creation of several new local government areas,

industrialisation and rural-urban migration have all contributed

to the acceleration of urban growth and development in Rivers

State. Despite this, overall urbanisation remains low, with not

many of the states 1,079 settlements having a population of

more than 20,000.

According to the 2006 census, the populations of the main towns

of Port Harcourt, Abonnema, Omoku, Okrika, Oyigbo, Elele,

Bonny and Opobo constitute 28% of the states population. Port

Harcourt alone accounts for 14% of the population, as it is the

states business and industrial hub, as well as its oil refining

centre.

As far as urban-rural gender distribution is concerned, there are

more men than women in the towns and cities, and more

women than men in the rural areas. This is a reflection of the fact

that most seasonal and permanent migrants to the urban areas

are male.


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Languages and Ethnicity

A rich and diverse linguistic and cultural heritage

As in the rest of Nigeria, English is the official language used to

conduct government and private business. Ikwerre, Ijaw and a

colloquial form of English are also commonly used as a means of

communication, as well as for both socio-political and

commercial purposes.

Rivers State has a population of over five million people who

have a rich and unique cultural heritage. Generally known to be

friendly and hospitable, they come from various ethnic groups

including the Kalabari, lkwerre, Okrika, lbani (Bonny and Opobo)

Ekpeye, Ogba, Etche, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Ndoni, Abua andOdual groups.

Linguistic scholars have grouped these communities into six

linguistic categories, namely ljoid, lgboid, Ogoni, Central Delta,

Delta Edoid and Lower Cross.

The ljoid category is made up of the Kalabari, Bile, Okrika, lbani

and Nkoro dialects spoken in the eastern parts of the state, while

the Igboid or Lower Niger category is made up of such dialects as

Ekpeye, lkwerre, Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni, Etche and lgbo. The

Ogoni category includes a large number of dialects, which aregenerally clustered into four groups, namely Khana, Gokana,

Eleme and Ogoi.

The Lower Cross category, in contrast, is represented by only one

group in Rivers State, with the rest being found in Akwa lbom

State and Cross River State. The language of this group, Obolo, is

spoken in the Andoni and Opobo local government areas.

Ikwerre nevertheless remains the most commonly-spoken

indigenous language in the state.

The various ethnic groups have existed together for centuries,long before the creation of Rivers State. They are currently

distributed across 23 local government areas made up of 250

communities on both the mainland and the offshore islands.


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Religion

A peaceful and religiously-tolerant state

The people of Rivers State are predominantly Christian, but the

Muslim faith and traditional religions are also practiced by a

number of people. The state enjoys religious tolerance and

peaceful coexistence between the different faith groups.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Rivers State, which was formed in 1967, is defined by both its

pre- and post-independence history. Prior to the advent of

colonialism, there was a high level of social and political diversity

in the region, and this is still reflected in contemporary

institutions and practices.

Traditional beliefs and practices also still inform society today,

and styles of music, dress and cuisine include many

contemporary elements. Traditional culture is nevertheless still

valued and practiced, and cultural attractions and events are

often a drawcard for discerning travellers.

Pre- and Post-Statehood

The state of many rivers

What is today known as Rivers State was part of the Oil Rivers

Protectorate from 1885 to 1893. The name of the protectorate

was derived from the regions prominent role in the palm oil

trade during the colonial era. In 1893, it became part of the Niger

Coast Protectorate and, in 1900, was merged with the chartered

territories of the Royal Niger Company to form the colony of

Southern Nigeria.

After Nigerias independence in 1960, the area that is now Rivers

State was part of what was then the Eastern Region of Nigeria.

When the old regional system was dissolved in 1967, Rivers State

was one of the first new states to be established. Until 1996, it


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included the territory which is now Bayelsa State. Rivers State is

named for the many rivers that border and cross its territory.

Traditional Institutions and Society

Institutions reflect the heritage of diverse ethnic groups

As there are many different ethnic groups in Rivers State, the

social and cultural practices of the people vary. The Ikwerre and

Ijaw groups have much in common with the Igbo group, which

predominates in many of the neighbouring states, while other

groups have different beliefs and practices.

This diversity is reflected in the many traditional structures and

institutions found in the state.

Traditional leadership systems, which are headed up by kings or

elders, are widely practiced in addition to the countrys secular

democracy. These systems include peer age groups, the

traditional priesthood, and groups of first wives, firstborn sons

and firstborn daughters.

A defining characteristic of this system is that villages are

regarded as groups of people rather than as clusters of buildings.

In some cases, extended families or groups with common

interests are organised under a headman, while the village itself

is made up of the various traditional institutions. Symbolically,

the chief or traditional rulers house is distinguishable by the fact

that it is larger and usually more ornately decorated than the

surrounding houses.

This type of settlement pattern reflects the cultural context in

which it exists. Certain spaces in the community are, for instance,

reserved for communal religious practice or seasonal festivals,

while others are set aside for the reverence of local deities.


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Music

A celebration of nature and culture

Although Rivers State is culturally rich and diverse, there are

many similarities in dance and music styles. For instance, similar

musical instruments are used by a number of different groups. In

some cases, these instruments are the same as those used in

other parts of the country, although the context and way in

which they are used may be different.

Similarly, some dance styles are common to all groups.

Handkerchief-waving dance forms are, for example, typical of the

entire Rivers-Bayelsa-Delta axis of states in the south-south zone.

This type of dance is practiced by both genders and by people ofall ages.

Some forms of ceremonial music practiced in the riverine areas

of the state are also practiced throughout the Niger Delta. This

music is used to celebrate the life-giving qualities of water and to

honour river deities.

Apparel

A fusion of traditional and contemporary styles

The typical dress for men in Rivers State consists of a flowing

wrapper or a pair of trousers, which is worn with a large shirt and

a hat, and finished off with a staff. Women usually wear a double

wrapper with a blouse and a matching head scarf. Wrappers are

usually made of George fabric, a thick, silky material printed with

floral motifs.

The dress culture in the state has evolved in a similar way to the

way in which it has evolved in other parts of the country, moving

from fairly scanty traditional clothing to more conservative

clothing with a Western influence. Today, there is a lot of

experimentation with fashion, especially with different

combinations of extravagant fabric.


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Festivals, Arts and Food

Joyful festivals and delicious traditional foods

Traditional culture in Rivers State is characterised by a joyful

array of festivals, ceremonies, dances, music styles and crafts.

Some of the most popular festivals include the fishing festivals in

Kaiama and Amassaona, the yam festivals in Ikwerre and Ogba,

the burial rites and wrestling ceremonies in Degema, and the Iria

puberty and marriage ceremonies of the Kalabaris. The war

canoe displays and boat regattas in Bonny are also amongst the

most important cultural activities in the state, and have great

tourist appeal.

One of the most significant festivals is the annual Egwu Ogba or

New Yam Festival, which is celebrated by the people of the Ogba

kingdom, and which marks the end of their native calendar.

Peace and harmony are emphasised during the festival, which is

held every August, and it is a time of giving to and sharing with

family, friends and neighbours.

Seafood is one of the many delicacies served during festival

periods, especially as many of the states people live on the coast

or in riverine areas. A favourite dish for many is prawns cooked in

palm butter.

Crafts in the state are as diverse as the people, with different

areas being known for weaving, boat-building and bead-making.

Objects made from traditional fired clay and bronze are also

common.

Literature in Rivers State takes both oral and written form. The

oral tradition includes folk tales, legends, myths, proverbs,

riddles, poetry and religious incantations, while written literature

includes the novels and poetry of writers like Elechi Amadi,

Gabriel Okara and the late Ken Saro Wiwa.


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INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONS

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The people of Rivers State set great store by education, and the

development of this sector is a key focus for government. The

state has one of the highest school enrolment rates in the

country, and many tertiary institutions provide opportunities for

school leavers to study further.

Healthcare services are organised to provide primary, secondary

and tertiary care, which is the national standard. As in other

states, primary healthcare is actively supported by international

donor partners. The improvement and development of sport

infrastructure is also important to government, and development

programmes encourage youngsters to participate in sport from

an early age.

Education

Educating for the future

The coastal people of Rivers State had early contact with

European seafarers in the 15th century, but western education

was not introduced till 1864, when the first missionary schoolswere established in Bonny. The first secondary school, Bonny

High School, was established in 1890 by Anglican missionaries,

and later became known as Government College. And by 1916,

primary schools had also been established in Isiokpo, Omoku,

Abua and Okrika.

There are now 1,154 primary schools and 800 secondary schools

in Rivers State (NBS: 2008). Some of these are run by the

government and others, which include schools run by religious

organisations and missionary agencies, are privately owned.

In terms of educational reach, Rivers State has one of the highest

secondary school enrolment rates in Nigeria, with a student body

of 150,000 (NBS: 2008), representing a net enrolment rate of

59.6%. Gender distribution at both primary and secondary level


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is almost equal, and the education of girls is given as much

attention as the education of boys.

There are also a number of tertiary institutions in the state, and

several of these are situated in Port Harcourt. These include the

University of Port Harcourt, which was established by the Federal

Government in 1975; the Rivers State University of Science and

Technology, which was established by the state government in

1980; the School of Health Technology, which was established by

the state government; the School of Nursing and Midwifery; and

the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences, which was granted

the status of a polytechnic in 2006.

Other tertiary institutions include the federally-run polytechnic

at Omoku; the state-run Rivers State Polytechnic at Bori; the

State College of Education, which has campuses at

Rurnuolumeni, Nkpolu Oroworukwo and Ndele; and the

privately-owned Rhema University in Obeama-Asa.

In order to promote access to tertiary education, the state makes

provision for a number of tertiary-level scholarships. These

enable promising students to study at universities all over the

world.

As far as the adult literacy rate is concerned, this is relatively

high, with 89.3% of adults being literate in at least one language

(NBS-CBN-NCC: 2009). Of these individuals, 51.0% are female and

49.0% are male, with more adults in urban areas being literate

than those in rural areas.

Youth literacy rates are particularly encouraging, with 95.3% of

young adults being literate in at least one language, 52.2% of

which are female and 47.8% of which are male.

As far as educational challenges are concerned, road access to

schools is a significant problem in the state, as is the fact that

there are insufficient teachers in the riverine areas because they

are so inaccessible. Government has, however, been tackling

these issues systematically, and adequate budgetary provisions

are being made to address them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Port_Harcourthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_University_of_Science_and_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_University_of_Science_and_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_Polytechnichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_Polytechnichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_University_of_Science_and_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_State_University_of_Science_and_Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Port_Harcourt


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So pressing was the problem in the past, however, that

government was compelled to undertake an entire overhaul of

the sector. Within three years of doing so, 250 new primary

schools and 20 new secondary schools - complete with fully-

equipped libraries, auditoriums and staff facilities - had been

constructed. Each of these secondary schools is the size of a

medium-sized university campus and, in addition to the above

standard facilities, has fully-equipped science laboratories,

theatres, dormitories, sports fields and demonstration farms.

Books and uniforms were also distributed to all school pupils as

part of the states free education scheme, and some 12,000 well-

paid and highly-motivated teachers were retrained in

conjunction with the British Council and Cambridge University.

It is expected that all of these improvements will result in an

overall improvement in education levels in the state, as well as to

an increase in high-quality graduates to drive socio-economic

development.

Health

Free healthcare and extensive healthcare infrastructure

The Rivers State healthcare system is organised to provideprimary, secondary and tertiary care, which is the national

standard. The primary healthcare system is supported by

international development partners, which fund specific projects

in targeted communities, while the state develops human capital

through such institutions as the School of Health Technology and

the School of Nursing and Midwifery, among others.

There is at least one general hospital in each of the 23 local

government areas, and many more in Port Harcourt. In total,

there are 292 public healthcare facilities in the state, including

260 primary healthcare clinics (NBS: 2006). There are also 378

private healthcare centres and well-equipped clinics, most of

which are situated in the urban areas.

With specific reference to HIV/Aids, Rivers State has a multi-

sectoral action committee which coordinates all responses to the


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pandemic. The prevalence rate is 5.4%, and the most common

form of transmission is through unprotected heterosexual sex

(NBS Social Report: 2008). In order to provide the best

preventative information and treatment measures, the state

government has established a number of voluntary HIV

counselling and testing (HCT) centres, as well as several outlets

for the supply of anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy.

In the area of immunisation, the latest available statistics show

that 62.7% of all children under the age of five have been fully

vaccinated, while only 9.4% have not been vaccinated at all (NBS-

CWIQ Survey: 2006). Through the intensive sensitisation and

mobilisation of mothers, religious leaders, community leaders

and key influencers, as well as the dedicated commitment of

healthcare staff, routine immunisation against the six killer

diseases most common in West Africa has increased significantly

in recent years. The infant mortality rate nevertheless remains

relatively high, mainly due to the fact that the facilities for

managing complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth

are poorly equipped and under staffed.

A clean water supply is, of course, essential to public health, and

it is estimated that about 48.6% of households in Rivers State

have access to safe water through piped water systems,

boreholes, hand pumps or protected wells. Of these, 68.4% are in

urban areas and 44.2% are in rural areas. Further, 43.8% of

households have access to safe sanitation, either in the form of

flush toilets or in the form of ventilated improved pit (VIP)

latrines.

In addition, there is a free healthcare programme in place in the

state, although there are still too few primary healthcare

facilities to meet current needs. This issue is receiving urgent

attention.

Human Development

Poverty and living conditions remain key challenges

The NBS-CWIQ Survey of 2006 indicates that about 67.0% of

households in Rivers State classify themselves as poor, and that


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30.7% have difficulty in satisfying their food needs. This is more

pronounced in the urban areas, as many households in the rural

areas practice subsistence agriculture in order to meet their

requirements.

Despite the fact that government is committed to attaining the

targets specified in the United Nations Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs), Rivers State - like all other states in Nigeria - is still

a long way from achieving them.

Poverty, gender equality, universal primary education and

environmental sustainability remain daunting challenges, and

both child and maternal mortality rates remain high. In addition,

the HIV/Aids pandemic has neither been halted nor reversed.

And while living standards have been improved in the rural areas,

a great deal still needs to be done in order to achieve the goals

defined in the MDGs.

Women and Youth

Working to empower women and young people

There are more than 2.5 million women in Rivers State,

accounting for 48.6% of the states population. They therefore

represent and important economic factor, especially as a large

number of agricultural workers are women.

As in all other states in Nigeria, women and young people are an

important focus in terms of meeting the objectives defined in the

Millennium Development Goals. Laws discriminating against

women are therefore in the process of being reformed, providing

for their full participation in public life, social development and

the mainstream economy.

Female participation in public decision-making nevertheless

remains low, but this is changing as womens groups act as

catalysts. Programmes aimed at developing and advancing

women and young people are also being implemented

throughout the state, and many of these focus on improving

their income-generating capacity.


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Harnessing the skills of the youth remains a significant challenge,

though, not only because young people make up such a large

proportion of the population, but also because of increasing

youth militancy. Government is working hard in this area, but

there is also the need for greater entrepreneurial participation in

training and skills development.

For governments part, it has established a special committee

called the Rivers State Social Rehabilitation Committee (RSSRC)

to address some of the challenges posed by restlessness,

militancy and violence amongst the youth. The committee is

tasked with trying to address such issues as armed conflict,

kidnapping, piracy and various other forms of criminal activity,

which have contributed to the unrest in the state in recent years.

Sport

Passionate about sport

The people of Rivers State are passionate about sport, so

promoting sports development is naturally high on governments

agenda. Providing suitable facilities for sportspeople to develop

and hone their skills has therefore been a key strategy, and this

has paid dividends on many fronts.

The state has, for instance, produced many award-winning

athletes, including Taribo West, who was a member of the

national soccer team. It has also produced two team captains.

Like soccer, wrestling is very popular, and attracts both men and

women. Not only is it seen as a competitive sport, but also as a

means to exercise and to contribute to traditional celebrations.

Wrestling competitions in the villages, which are usually refereed

by an elder, attract many interested spectators.

POLITICAL STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS

As in all of the other states in Nigeria, there are three levels of

government in Rivers State: the Executive, the Legislature and

the Judiciary. There is also the Traditional Authority which,


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although it does not have a constitutional function, exercises

considerable influence on governance and society.

The Executive is headed up by the democratically-elected

Governor, who is supported by the Deputy Governor and the

Secretary of State Government. Various ministries are tasked

with implementing government programmes in such areas as

justice, economic planning, agriculture, commerce, industry and

tourism.

State Executive

Policymakers at work

The executive arm of government, headed by the Governor, hasthe statutory responsibility of administering the state. It is also

responsible for formulating policies and programmes through the

State Executive Council, Rivers States highest policy-making

body.

The council is chaired by the Governor, who is assisted by the

Deputy Governor, and it includes the commissioners of all the

ministries, as well as the Secretary of State Government and the

Head of Service. Both the Governor and the Deputy Governor are

elected, while the other officials are appointed.

The office of the Secretary of State Government is the states

official secretariat, and it coordinates the activities of the various

ministries, directorates and extra-ministerial departments.

Government ministries are charged with the responsibility of

implementing government policies and programmes. In Rivers

State, these include the ministries of Agriculture; Budget;

Commerce, Culture and Tourism; Education; Energy;

Environment; Finance; Health; Housing; Information and

Communication; Justice, Land and Surveys; Local Government

Affairs; Power; Social Welfare; Special Duties; Sport; Transport;

Urban Development; Water Resources; Womens Affair; Works;

and Youth Development.


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The ministries are run by the various commissioners, who are

responsible for providing policy direction, while the day-to-day

administration of government or the bureaucracy is handled by

civil service officials. They serve under permanent secretaries,

who also fulfil the function of chief accounting officers.

Rivers state is divided into 23 local government areas to facilitate

effective and efficient governance. These are Port Harcourt;

Ogba, Egbema and Ndoni; Ahoada; Ikwerre; Etche; Andoni and

Opobo; Bonny; Okrika; Iyigbo; Ehana; Gokana; Tai and Eleme;

Obio and Akpor; Emohua; Degema; Asari Toru; Akuku Toru; Abua

and Odial; Omumma; Opobo and Nkoro; Ogu and Bolo; Ahoada

East; Ahaoda West; and Eleme. Each is governed by a

democratically-elected local government council.

Legislature

Of the people, by the people and for the people

A House of Assembly constitutes the legislative arm of

government, and is responsible for law-making and executive

oversight. All the members of the state legislature are elected by

their various constituencies. The leadership of the legislature is

made up of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader,

Minority Leader, Majority Whip and Minority Whip. The Clerk of

the House of Assembly is responsible for the bureaucracy.

The states House of Assembly is made up of 32 members

representing the following constituencies: Abua and Odual,

Ahoada East 1, Ahoada East 2, Ahoada West, Akuku-Toru 1,

AkukuToru 2, Andoni, Asari Toru 1, Asari Toru 2, Bonny,

Degema, Emohua, Eleme, Etchie 1, Etchie 2, Gokana, Ikwerre,

Khana 1, Khana 2, Obio-Akpor 1, Obio-Akpor 2 (comprising Ogba,

Egbema and Ndoni), Onelga 1, Onelga 2, Ogu-Bolo, Okrika,

Omuma, Opobo-Nkoro; Oyigbo, Port Harcourt 1, Port Harcourt 2,

Port Harcourt 3, and Tai.


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Federal Legislative Representation

National representation

In the National Assembly (Nigerias central legislature), Rivers

State is represented by three members in the upper chamber

(the Senate) and ten members in the lower chamber (the House

of Representatives).

In the Senate, the state has representation for the greater areas

of Rivers East, Rivers South West and Rivers North. In the House

of Representatives representation by area is as follows: Abua-

Odual and Ahoada East; Ahoada West, Ogba, Egbema and Ndoni;

Degema and Bonny; Akuku-Toru; Asari-Toru; Okirika and

Ogubolo; Opobo, Nkoro and Ndoni; Eleme, Tai and Oyigbo;Khana and Gokana; Ikwerre and Emohua; Etche and Omuma;

Obio Akpor; Port Harcourt 1; and Port Harcourt 2.

Judiciary

Justice guaranteed

The judiciary is vested with the power to interpret the law and

dispense justice, and consists of the High Court and the

Customary Court of Appeal. States are also empowered to

establish magistrates and customary courts. The Chief Judge

heads the High Court, while the Customary Court of Appeal is

headed by its president.

There are High Courts in Port Harcourt, Degema, Bori, Ahoada,

Omoku, Isiokpo, Nchia, Okrika, Okehi, and Oyigbo. In addition,

there are magistrates courts in 27 locations and customary

courts in 26 locations.

Traditional Governance

Integrating traditional values and culture

Traditional institutions include a state council of traditional

rulers, a structure which is found in all of the other states in

Nigeria. These traditional institutions are tasked with the

responsibility of ensuring peace, as well as of preserving and


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promoting the culture and traditions of the states people. The

council also advises both local and state governments on

traditional affairs.

Political Parties and Other institutions

Parties and civil society organisations play critical roles

All of the major political parties that participated in the 2011

general elections in Nigeria are represented in Rivers State, and

the current governor is a member of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP).

The state also has a local branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress,

which represents the interest of workers, and is home to localchapters of civil society groups such as the Civil Liberties

Organization (CLO).

Civil society organisations (CSOs), including community-based

organisations (CBOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and

faith-based organisations (FBOs) all play critical roles in the state.

Geopolitical Environment

A proud member of the south-south cluster of states

Rivers State is one of the states catered for by the Niger Delta

Development Commission (NDDC), which was established by the

Federal Government in 2000. The commission also caters for the

states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo

and Imo, and each receives an additional percentage ofNigerias

oil revenue in compensation for hosting oil production activities.

The Governor is a member of a semi-official regional grouping

called the South-South Governors Forum, which deliberates on

issues of common interest to the six southern states.


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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

The government of Rivers State is succeeding in blazing a new

trail as far as peaceful socio-economic transformation is

concerned. This is being done through the systematic provision

of necessary infrastructure and social amenities; strategic

diversification of the states economy; insightful preparation for

the future; and focused efforts aimed at improving the business

environment.

Infrastructure restoration and development has, in particular,

received great attention in recent years. New roads, bridges,

hospitals, clinics and schools have been built throughout the

state, and urban areas have been significantly improved. This,

together with improvements in the supply of potable water and

electricity, means that the state has great development potential

in all sectors.

Developing Infrastructure

Creating a framework for development

The state government recognises that there cannot be

meaningful socio-economic development without suitable

infrastructure. A number of on-going road construction,

rehabilitation and expansion projects are therefore in progress at

local, state and federal level. The aim of these projects is to

provide improved access to the states rural areas, improved

traffic flow in urban areas, and more attractive surroundings

along roads and freeways.

Infrastructure development has been a key focus for some time

now, and new roads, bridges, schools and hospitals have been

built throughout the state. Major projects that have been

completed include the Eliozu flyover, the Oil Mill Eleme Junction

flyover and shopping complex, the Rumuwoji-Mile One Market,

the Ogoni-Opobo Unity Road, and the Trans-Kalabari Highway.


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Other projects that have already been completed include the

conversion of several major roads into dual carriageways.

Amongst these are the road from the International Airport at

Omagwa to the Rivers-Imo border at Owerri; the old Aba road;

the road between Mile 3 and the International Airport Road; and

the University of Port Harcourt Road, which includes a flyover

bridge at Choba. Streetlights have also been installed along all of

the major roads in the capital and other urban areas, and many

rural roads have been constructed in various local government

areas.

A landmark project currently in the planning stage is a 125-

kilometre, six-lane ring road around the city of Port Harcourt,

which will include two cable-stayed bridges, and will be known as

the Greater Port Harcourt Arterial Ring Road. The project, which

is budgeted to cost US $1 billion, will be built by a public-private

partnership entered into for this purpose.

Other key projects in the planning phase include the multi-

million naira Entertainment Centre, which will also be built by a

public-private partnership, and a new ultra-modern market in the

new Port Harcourt Layout near Borokiri.

In order to facilitate this development, the state government has

made considerable efforts to improve the supply of potable

water, which is expected to have a positive impact on both public

health and the effectiveness of the healthcare system.

Healthcare infrastructure has received considerable attention

too, and this has been expanded to support the states free

medical scheme, as well as to improve overall healthcare

standards. Major projects already completed include the Niger

Hospital, the Delta Clinic, the UST Hospital, the Mother and Child

Hospital and the 1,000-bed Mega Hospital, all of which has been

made possible through public-private partnerships. In addition,

there are plans in place for the construction of 160 primary

healthcare centres, and many of these have already been

completed.


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In the education sector, a number of state-of-the-art primary and

secondary schools, which can compare with the best anywhere in

the world, have been constructed throughout the state.

The state is also engaged in renovating existing government

buildings, and constructing new government offices and housing

in order to improve service delivery and the morale of staff. As

testimony to its commitment in this area, government recently

built 1,000 housing units within six months in Port Harcourt, and

is currently working on similar developments in other parts of

the state.

In the area of ICT and electricity, government has recorded

modest successes in its efforts to increase teledensity and to

provide a better operating environment for telecommunications

operators. It has also intensified its rural electrification drive by

distributing transformers to agricultural communities in order to

ensure that they can be connected to the national electricity grid.

These efforts are all expected to stimulate economic growth and

development.

On the sports front, the state government has been steadily

developing sports facilities in order to ensure that sportspeople

have reasonable opportunities to develop their skills and to

prepare for competitive engagement. This has led to an

increasing interest in sport and physical development in Rivers

State.

Diversifying the economy

Focusing on diversification in both rural and urban areas

As a part of its strategy for attracting investment and facilitating

economic development, government has entered into a number

public-private partnerships. It has, for instance, partnered with

Songhai International, which is based in the Republic of Benin, toestablish a number of model farms at Bunu Tai in Ogoniland.

These are modelled on the Songhai farms in the Porto Novo area

in Benin.


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The Songhai/Rivers Initiative (SRI) is designed to be a robust,

integrated model, and is aimed at promoting growth in the

states agricultural sector through technology adaptation,

research and training that has a strong business focus. Young

people from all 23 local government areas have completed the

18-month training programme at Songhais headquarters in

Benin, and have specialised in various agricultural and agri-

business subjects. Many of them hope to start their own

businesses in their home communities with the support of SRI.

Economic development in the states urban areas is receiving

equal attention from government. In early 2009, it announced

plans for the development of a new city to be called the Greater

Port Harcourt City. This is to be located near Port Harcourt

International Airport and, when completed, is expected to have a

significant economic impact.

Work has also recently commenced on a monorail transportation

system, which has been designed to alleviated the significant

transportation problems in the capital. It is the first project of its

kind to be undertaken on the African continent.

With projects and programmes like these in place, the state is

well positioned for economic growth.

Preparing for the future

A vision of sustainable development

Rivers State has a clear vision and, in order to translate this into

reality, the state government has embarked on a number of far-

reaching initiatives. These include reforming and restructuring

government and its institutions, supporting the development of

the private sector, generating employment, re-affirming social

values, and eliminating poverty in line with the objectives

defined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs). Collectively these objectives form the cornerstone of the

Rivers State Economic Development Strategy, and a dedicated

agency has been set up to facilitate their implementation.


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The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) is a

strategic initiative of the state government, and provides a

platform off which sustainable development can be pursued in a

planned way. Operating within an autonomous legal framework,

its mandate is to re-focus the states efforts in the areas of

poverty alleviation, grassroots empowerment and youth

development.

In order to execute its mandate, the RSSDA uses a partnership

model that enables it to tap into the experience and benefit from

the support of such organisations as the World Bank, USAID,

DFID, NNPC, SPDC, NDDC, and even other agencies within the

state government itself.

As part of the implementation process, the state government has

not only constructed the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, but also

a new industrial estate at Ahoada. Both are intended to alleviate

congestion at Port Harcourt and to facilitate development in

neighbouring towns and villages.

The Songhai farms at Bunu Tai in Ogoniland are also part of this

focus on sustainable development. These farms, modelled on the

Songhai farms in Porto Novo in Benin, are centres for agricultural

training, production, research and the development of

sustainable agricultural practices.

The Songhai/Rivers Initiative (SRI) is an updated and larger

version of the Songhai model in Porto Novo. The project was

conceptualised in 2008, with the objective of providing a

sustainable livelihood for people living in both the states rural

areas and urban slums. With Songhai International as a technical

partner, the SRI is working towards changing perceptions about

agricultural enterprise, and towards enabling the people involved

to become economically self-reliant.

The SRI aims to develop new systems and approaches to farming

that draw on local experience and indigenous knowledge on the

one hand, and on business principles and scientific research on

the other. The result is a robust, integrated model that promotes

rural growth through training, technology adaptation and a

strong focus on commercialisation.


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In a parallel effort to boost the fishing industry, government has

acquired five trawlers, which have been leased to a local fishing

company. These will be used not only for fishing, but to train

fishermen as well.

Through projects like these, government is not only promoting

infrastructural and economic development, but good resource

management as well. And as testimony to this, the global rating

agency, Standard and Poors, has recently revised Rivers States

rating upwards from stable to positive.

Improving the Business Environment

A favourable operating environment for business and industry

Informed by its vision, Rivers State is actively working to create a

favourable environment for both local and foreign investment.

Government is, for instance, rapidly rehabilitating and

developing infrastructure, and is working to create an enabling

environment for business. It has also undertaken extensive

reform in the civil service in order to ensure better service

delivery. This is being done in consultation with qualified

technocrats, who regularly monitor policy implementation and

assist with fine-tuning the states policy framework.

Government has a favourable land use policy too, and facilitates

the prompt allocation of plots of land for potential investors.

Above all, it consistently aims to ensure transparency in all areas

of government, which it recognises is essential in order to sustain

a favourable investment environment.

These are some of the reasons why Rivers State is generally

regarded as such an attractive destination for investors. This

especially as it actively supports collaboration between the

public and private sectors.

The state government has, for instance, partnered with First

Bank to build Rainbow Town. It has also signed a memorandum

of agreement with the Silverbird Group for the construction of a

new shopping complex, complete with a park and a conference


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centre of international standard. In terms of this agreement,

Silverbird will contribute N16 billion to the project, and Rivers

State will earn 20% of all profits once it is complete.

Other incentives for investors and developers include tax

holidays and tax incentives, and new businesses are eligible for

participation in the states Pioneer Status Scheme. This is

designed to assist newly-established businesses and industries to

navigate the start-up phase successfully.

The state is also close to achieving self-sufficiency in terms of

power generation, with the phased completion of the

Independent Power Project, and it has secured an uninterrupted

supply of potable water in the major urban areas.

Further, recognising that the security of people and property is

important for successful socio-economic development,

government actively supports the state police by providing

vehicles and the modern communications equipment needed to

combat crime. By working closely with the states security

agencies, it is working to provide a peaceful, stable and secure

environment. As a result, life in Port Harcourt has largely

returned to normal after incidents of militancy in the past, and

there is growing evidence that stability and business confidence

have been restored.

All of these developments are creating a more favourable

operating environment for large-scale industry, especially for oil

refineries, petrochemical plants, manufacturers, oil service

industries and liquefied natural gas producers. This, in turn, is

having a positive impact on economic growth and development.

SECTORAL ANALYSIS

The oil and gas sector is the largest economic sector in Rivers

State, but there are also many well-developed business and

industry sectors, as well as a comprehensive financial services

sector. A vibrant small and medium enterprise sector offers

many opportunities too, and provides a wide range of goods and


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services. The state is therefore and attractive investment

location for both local and foreign investors.

Telecommunications, ICT, transportation, infrastructure, housing

and utilities have all been targeted for development and present

great investment potential. Government aims to create an

enabling operating environment for business and industry, and is

entering into many public-private partnerships in order to

facilitate social and economic development.

Mining and Industry

The heart of the Nigerian oil industry

Rivers State is the nerve centre of the Nigerian oil industry, andmany large corporations and multi-nationals operate within its

borders. These include, amongst others, the Shell Petroleum

Development Company Limited, AGIP, Texaco, Elf, Michelin,

West African Glass Industry, Alcan Aluminium, Metaloplastica,

Risonpalm, NAFCON and Pabod Breweries. In terms of

infrastructure, there are two large refineries and two major sea

ports located in the state, as well as many industrial estates,

particularly in the capital.

As it is at the heart of the hydro-carbon industry, Rivers State is

responsible for a substantial proportion of the nation's foreign

exchange earnings. For instance, it accounts for over 48% of

crude oil produced onshore, and for all liquefied natural gas

exports. It therefore has the second largest economy in Nigeria

after Lagos State.

Rivers State also boasts a wealth of agricultural and mineral

resources, which provide the raw materials for industries large

and small. The many agricultural products being produced here

include rubber, timber, rope, palm oil, palm kernels, cassava and

a wide range of fresh vegetables. Raw materials being produced

for industry include petrochemicals such as carbon black and

polypropylene, as well as petroleum gas, natural gas, bitumen,

and a host of others.


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One of governments key objectives is to provide a favourable

operating environment for business and attractive opportunities

for potential investors. This, together with its focus on

revitalising government-owned industries, is expected to boost

job creation and to provide work for states many young people

in particular.

Telecommunications and ICT

Ensuring competitiveness in the Information Age

The telecommunications sector has shown a marked

improvement since 2001, when the federal government

deregulated it. The state now has some of the best

telecommunications infrastructure in the country, and it istherefore only natural that it is home to a significant number of

foreign nationals and multinational corporations. In addition,

government is in the process of implementing a programme to

provide world-class information technology training for the

states people to enable them to become and remain

competitive in the Information Age.

The private sector has also boosted development through

participation in both the installation of digital lines and the

establishment of a mobile communications system. These

initiatives support governments target of providing the states

population with greater access to the benefits of

telecommunications.

In order to facilitate development in the sector, the state

provides affordable land for telecommunications development,

and offers attractive incentives for investors. It is also working

hard to improve the reliability of the electricity supply, which is

essential to success.

As a result of these efforts, mobile phone penetration is high,

with 92.6% of the population owning or having access to a

mobile (NBS/CBN/NCC: 2009). On the less positive side of the

equation, 77.9% of the population does not own or have access

to a personal computer, and 87.9% of the population does not

have access to the internet.


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Transportation

Working hard to boost transportation efficiency

The Rivers State capital of Port Harcourt, which is known as

Garden City because of its unusual topography and attractive

layout, is easily accessible by road, rail, air and sea. It has one of

the busiest airports in Nigeria, is a major railway terminus, and is

also home to the countrys second largest sea port.

In order to boost transportation efficiency both within and

beyond the states borders, government has embarked on a

number of integrated initiatives. These include programmes to

upgrade public transport facilities, as well as to improve andexpand transport infrastructure.

As far as public transportation is concerned, government has

acquired a fleet of new buses and taxis, which will be managed

by the Rivers State Transport Corporation (RTC). The RTC was set

up to facilitate transportation both within the state and to other

parts of the country. There are also many private transport

companies, including ABC Line, Crystal Line, Edo Line and Chisco,

which provide transportation to cities across the country, and

there is an integrated mass transport programme in the state,

which is open to public-private partnership.

With regard to infrastructure, the state government and various

local government areas have embarked on an extensive road

rehabilitation and expansion programme in order to provide

better access to roads throughout the state. Many rural roads

traverse several local government areas, which means that they

are a significant part of the road transportation network.

New and improved rural access roads are being provided in order

to facilitate the movement of agricultural markets and to

enhance access to markets

In the area of rail transportation, there are only 22 kilometres of

rail within the boundaries of Rivers State, and this is maintained

and operated by the federal government. It is part of the eastern


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network that links Port Harcourt with some of the other states in

the south-eastern region, as well as with the cities of Nguru,

Kaduna, Jos and Maiduguri in the north.

Once the states mono rail system has been completed, though,

the area covered by rail in Port Harcourt and to neighbouring

towns will increase. This new system will ease transportation

pressure in the city, and facilitate the transportation of goods

and people from other parts of the state to the capital.

Water transportation is, of course, as important in Rivers State as

road transportation, since two thirds of the states land area lies

within the Niger Delta. Government has therefore put a lot of

effort into improving ferry services throughout the state.

As far as aviation is concerned, the Port Harcourt International

Airport, Omagwa, is one of the three major international airports

in the country. It was commissioned in 1978 and covers an area

of approximately 40 square kilometres. It has the facilities to

accommodate all types of aircraft, and is used for both local and

international flights.

Housing and Utilities

Housing the people of Rivers State

Government endeavours to provide entry-level housing to

complement the more expensive housing being built by private

sector real estate firms and by individuals. The state government

therefore frequently invests in the housing sector, with the

objective of providing reasonably-priced housing for as many of

the states people as possible.

By way of example, 1,000 standard housing units were built

within a six-month period in Port Harcourt alone. More have

been constructed in the city and in other parts of the state since

then.

Housing is therefore one of the sectors in which great investment

potential exists, especially as there are a significant number of

people who are able to take up mortgages. There is, however, a


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need for government to develop a framework that will allow

indigenous investors to participate in the sector more effectively.

This will go a long way towards addressing the issue of access to

financing, which has so far been a barrier to housing

development.

In terms of utilities, government is systematically introducing an

efficient waste management system. It is fully aware how

important it is that the Garden City lives up to its name. It has

therefore invested in several modern waste management

systems, as well as in a number of state-of-the-art waste disposal

vehicles. Government commitment to waste management is

evident in its attempts to ensure that the urban areas in Rivers

State are models of cleanliness.

Government is also actively engaged in urban renewal, and

understands that this depends on the development and

implementation of well-defined urban land use plans. These

need to provide for adequate recreational facilities, an efficient

transport network, serviced industrial sites, and reliable water,

electricity, health and educational infrastructure. Government is

also enlisting the participation of the private sector in

infrastructure development through a number of public-private

partnerships, and is promoting a culture of good maintenance of

public facilities.

As in other parts of Nigeria, the electricity supply infrastructure is

unfortunately inadequate. Since 1999, there has, however, been

a concerted rural electrification drive to encourage the

development of small and medium enterprises and the creation

of jobs, as well as rural-urban drift.

Government has also embarked on a number of Independent

Power Projects (IPPs), and when all energy projects are fully

operational, it is expected that the power supply situation in

Rivers Sate will improve considerably. This, it is hoped, will be a

catalyst for growth and development.


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Agriculture

A successful and profitable sector

Agriculture is the principal occupation in Rivers State, and it

provides employment for school leavers and graduates alike. The

states agricultural policy is based on large-scale food production,

and the sector is divides into four schemes: the Community Block

Farming Scheme, the Community Fishing Scheme, the Livestock

Scheme and the Rabbit Farming Scheme.

Governments flagship agricultural development programme is

the Songhai/Rivers Initiative (SRI), which is modelled on the

original Songhai programme in the Porto Novo region of Benin.

This is the cornerstone of the states overall agricultural

development programme.

As over 70% of the farmland in the state consists of farms of

under two hectares in size, the SRI focuses on the development

of smallholder farmers who engage in subsistence farming, as

well on the development of commercial farms that generate

substantial levels of income.

The SRI is a successful and lucrative venture. Its farm in

Ogoniland, for instance, produces 400 crates of eggs valued at

N240,000 per day. This means that the farm earns around

N7 million a month or N80 million a year from a single form of

produce only. Once other produce is factored into the equation,

the picture is even more positive.

Trade

A robust commercial centre

Trade in Rivers State benefits from its proximity to the south-

eastern states, where there is a great deal of commercial activity.

It has a robust history of trading, and Port Harcourt washistorically a centre for trade in such commodities as palm oil

and building materials. While these sectors continue to flourish,

trade in the city is now dominated by oil and allied industries.


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Tourism

Historical, cultural and natural attractions abound

Rivers State has great tourism potential, as it features a beautiful

coastline, a number of cultural sites, unique rivers and rich

aquatic life.

With Its long, sandy beaches, which stretch from Opobo through

Brass to Koluama; its many winding creeks; its streams and

rivers; its wildlife and its forests and their associated shrines, the

state has many areas that are suitable for tourism development.

It is also fertile ground for the development of cultural tourism,

as there are many festivals, ceremonies and dances on theannual calendar. Music and local crafts feature prominently too,

and cultural life is as diverse and varied as the legendary

hospitality of the states people.

For the discerning tourist, historical monuments, artefacts and

war relics are of great interest, as the region was a major centre

for the slave trade in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth

centuries.

With all of this to offer, the states Tourism and Hotels

Corporation, which was established in 1970, has recentlyembarked on a number of tourism projects.

Of note are the Isaka Holiday Resort, situated on a 23-hectare

island just one nautical mile off the coast from Port Harcourt; the

zoo in Trans-Amadi; and the Isaac Boro Leisure Park along Aba

Road in Port Harcourt. Other significant projects on the go

include the renovation of the Jubilee Park in the Old Township,

and the establishment of a museum in the Secretariat Complex.

The Podium Block in the complex is, in itself, an icon. An 18-

storey building, it has the tallest building in the south-south and

south-east geopolitical zones.

All of these projects have been developed as a social service in

order to provide sightseeing and recreation for residents as well

as visitors.


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Other main tourist attractions include the Monument of King Jaja

of Opobo; the Okrika Aquatic Stadium; Ifoko Beach; and the Port

Harcourt Tourist Beach.

Environment

A focus on urban rehabilitation and rural development

The preservation, restoration and beautification of the states

urban areas is high on governments agenda. It has therefore

mapped out a number of urban renewal strategies, and is in the

process of implementing these.

As part of this drive, it is undertaking various projects aimed at

making the states urban areas more attractive. Monuments are

being renovated and remodelled; overgrowth is being cleared

and replaced with lawns and flowers; walkways are being paved;

and trees and shrubs are being planted on road medians.

Unfortunately, past development activities in the state did not

give sufficient attention to conservation and environmental

protection, so there are many challenges to be addressed. These

include various levels of deforestation, bush burning, over-

cropping, soil erosion, water pollution, air pollution, biodiversity

loss, and indiscriminate disposal of both liquid and solid waste.

The master plan of Port Harcourt was, for instance, seriously

violated by people jostling to acquire residential properties. As a

result, many houses were built over drainage channels, and

whenever it rained, blockages were common.

In order to deal with this situation, government undertook the

planning and construction of a network of comprehensive

drainage systems in all urban centres, which allow for efficient

stormwater drainage and which prevent flooding. The newsystems also mitigate against the germination of disease-bearing

germs and fungi, which thrive on stagnant water.


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Government is also making a concerted effort to tackle the

significant problem of erosion in the state, which it is doing in

cooperation with the federal government.

Of course, it recognises the intricate relationship between

human activities and the environment, and takes this into

account in all aspects of its planning. It is also deeply committed

to taking remedial action in areas where such problems as

flooding, gully erosion and improper solid waste disposal have

existed in the past. Its vision is to build a state in which

environmental conservation is an integral part of the

development process, and it is slowly turning this ideal into a

reality. The reclamation and stabilisation of the numerous gully

and erosion sites, in particular, is being given special attention,

despite the fact that it is a difficult and resource-consuming

undertaking.

Specific environmental preservation initiatives being planned for

and implemented include improvements to oil- and gas-

producing installations in order to enhance the quality of life of

adjacent communities; greater enforcement of the regulations

applying to the oil and gas industry, in order to reduce the

incidence of environmenta

nigerian state profiling project - rivers state

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