Ocean Economy in Nigeria: Analysis of the Economic Benefits of River Benue, 1960-2020

Abstract

Many scholars of different shades of life have comprehensively undertaken some studies on River Benue. However, these intellectual enquiries have not x-rayed the economic dimensions of the River. This paper, therefore, attempts to narrow the existing historiographical gap on the subject. Using extant and oral historical sources in line with the interdisciplinary methods, the paper analyses the economic benefits of River Benue between 1960 and 2020. It affirms, the indispensable nexus between the River and thriving agricultural production, water transporation, fishing, block industry, and rice milling, et cetera. The study discusses the challenges that have impeded the aforementioned and related economic activities. The evidence thrown up leads to the major conclusion that the protracted flooding and the resultant massive destruction and obstruction of the economic activities, paucity of funds, lack of modern equipment, and double taxation, among others, posed a grave danger to the aforementioned sources of livelihood. Given the above, the paper concludes that River Benue contributed marginally to the development of the Benue economy. It recommends inter alia the dredging of the river and the construction of a buffer dam.