THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING OF OGBIA AND ITS ENVIRONS: AN OVERVIEW.

Abstract

The study assesses the geographical and physical setting of the area (Ogbia) and its environs. It shows the various characteristics of the physical setting (drainage, soil, climate, vegetation and human settlement) system as it relates to human activities, their productivity before and after the discovery of crude oil (Oloibiri) in commercial quantity in Nigeria. The human activities were originally fishing and farming settlers, producing various food crops such as yam, cassava cocoyam, plantain, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, palm oil, etc. with various natural resources The food products and crops were transported through the rivers which is the original means of communication before the advent of the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the region. The various administrative systems are characterized by the river transport (Ekole, Kolo creek, Otuoke River and the Brass River) where great movement of goods and services impact positively to the human development in the area. The expansion of the state capital (Yenagoa) has brought both physical and economic development through the volume of trade. It concluded that due to its abundant land and natural resources there is need for proper physical planning to boost sustainable economic development in the area.