Introduction
Imo is one of the 36 states of Nigeria
and lies in the South East of Nigeria with Owerri
as its capital and largest city. Located in the south-eastern region of Nigeria,
it occupies the area between the lower River Niger
and the upper and middle Imo River.
Location
Imo State is bordered by
Abia State
on the East, River Niger and Delta State
to the West, Anambra State on the North and Rivers State
to the South. The State lies within latitudes 4°45'N and 7°15'N, and longitude
6°50'E and 7°25'E with an area of around 5,100 sq km. The main cities
in Imo State are Owerri,
Orlu
and Okigwe.
Rivers and Lakes
The Orashi River has its source in Imo State. Imo River,
being the major river in the State, drains through Abia State,
where it is joined by Aba River from the North, and Akwa Ibom State
into the Atlantic Ocean. There are Njaba River,
Oguta Lake,
Utu River and Awbana River in the State. Otamiri River
and its 9.2 km length tributary, Nworie River flow in the State.
There are other rivers and creeks in the state including
Onas Creek in Ohaji/Egbema, Okitankwo River in Umudi, and Ohia and Efuru
Rivers in Okigwe.
Natural Resources
Economically exploitable flora including iroko, mahogany,
obeche,
bamboo,
rubber tree
and oil palm
predominate. Other natural resources found in the State are white clay, fine
sand and limestone.
Besides Owerri,
Imo State's major towns are Isu, Okigwe,
Oguta, Orlu,Atta
Ikeduru, Akokwa, Mbaise,
Mbaitoli,
Mbieri,
Orodo, Nkwerre,
Ubulu, Ngor Okpala,
Omuma, Mgbidi,
Awo-Omamma,
Izombe
and Orsu.
Oil and Gas Exploration
There are over 163 oil wells at over 12 different locations
in the State. The main petroleum companies operating in the state are Addax Petroleum,
Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell
and Agip.
Some of the established oil-rich and producing Local Government Councils
include Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta,
Oru East,
Oru West,
Obowo
and Ngor Okpala.
Trade and Investment Opportunities
Many trade and investment opportunities abound in the
peaceful State including Oil and Gas Exploration, Chemical Plants, Brewery
Plants, Hydroelectricity and Gas-Fired Power Plants,
Grain Milling, Starch Production, Cashew Product Industry, Fruit and Vegetable
Juice Concentrate Production, Integrated Multi-Oil Seeds Processing Plant,
Ceramic Industry, Inland Waterway Transport, Integrated Palm Produce Industry et al.
In addition to presence of oil and gas investors,
independent global brewer, Heineken through its subsidiary Nigerian Breweries has significant investment
in Imo State. The company manages the world-class Awo-omamma
Brewery, a multiple-line brewery plant.
Many more opportunities in oil and gas are yet to be fully
exploited. The Federal Government has been called to inspect newly discovered
oil-rich council areas for possible exploration in order to increase the
presence of the federal government in the State and the region, which would
enable economic development and job creation.
Establishment of industrial parks and processing zones to
harness the huge agricultural produce and minerals would give a major boost to
the State's economic growth and industrialization. No doubt, production centers
would employ large number of labor.
Oguta Lake, Palm Beach Holiday Resort in Awo-omamma
and a host of other tourist sites along the banks of the 26 km-length Njaba River
present hotspots for tourism.
Agriculture
The economy of the State depends primarily on agriculture
and commerce. The chief occupation of the people is farming. However, with a
high population density and over farming the soil has been degraded and much of
the native vegetation has disappeared. Their cash crops include oil palm,
raffia palm, rice, groundnut, melon, cotton, cocoa, rubber, maize, etc. food
crops such as yam, cassava, cocoyam and maize are also produced in large
quantities.
Climate
The rainy season begins in April and lasts until October
with annual rainfall varying from 1,500mm to 2,200mm (60 to 80 inches).
An average annual temperature above 20 °C
(68.0 °F) creates an annual relative humidity of 75%. With humidity
reaching 90% in the rainy season. The dry season experiences two months of
Harmattan from late December to late February. The hottest months are between
January and March.
With high population density and over farming, the soil has
been degraded and much of the native vegetation has disappeared.
This deforestation has triggered soil erosion
which is compounded by heavy seasonal rainfall that has led to the destruction
of houses and roads.
Reference
Reference
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