Etche
Local Government Area
A river in a village at Etche Rivers State
A river in a village at Etche Rivers State
Etche is located in Nigeria
Etche
Etche
Etche shown within Nigeria
Coordinates: 4°59′N 7°03′E / 4.99°N 7.05°E / 4.99; 7.05
Country Nigeria
StateRivers State
Government
 • Local Government ChairmanObinna Anyanwu (PDP)
 • Deputy Local Government ChairmanGladys Onyekachi Nweke (PDP)
 • Local Government CouncilWard 1: Daniel Amadi (PDP)
Ward 2: Cynthia Nwala (PDP)
Ward 3: Martins Onyekachi Anderson (PDP)
Ward 4: Faith N. Amadi (PDP)
Ward 5: Princewill Heshiulor Ahunanya (PDP)
Ward 6: Choko Chibuike (PDP)
Ward 7: Rosemary Ezeigbo (PDP)
Ward 8: Nwachukwu Promise (PDP)
Ward 9: Egbegbu Uzondu (PDP)
Ward 10: Nwabeke Chigozie (PDP)
Ward 11: Nwankwo Gift (PDP)
Ward 12: Ugochukwu Nwankwo (PDP)
Ward 13: Iheanyichukwu Kingsley (PDP)
Ward 14: Bestman Azuonwu (PDP)
Ward 15: Loveday Emmanuel (PDP)
Ward 16: Nkwocha Janet Nwaugo (PDP)
Ward 17: Chika Anokwuru (PDP)
Ward 18: ThankGod Egbule (PDP)
Ward 19: Amaechi Ihuoma (PDP)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
National languageIgbo (Etche dialect)

Echie administratively known as Etche is an indigenous group mostly found in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Presently, its people makeup Etche and Omuma, two of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.[1] They are part of the 13 federal constituencies representing River State in Nigeria's National Assembly and part of the Rivers East Senatorial District. Its people are mostly farmers and they speak the Etche dialect of the Igbo language family.

Okehi is the Council Headquarters and political capital of Etche, while Eberi is the political capital of Omuma.[2][3][4]

There are 19 political wards in Etche and 10 in Omuma local government areas.[5] There are several communities and towns in Etche, some of which include: Akwu/Obuor, Eberi, Amaji, Opiro, Chokocho, Igboh, Egwi, Afara, Mba, Igbodo, Ofeh, Ohimogho, Obiohia, Umuogba, Umuajuloke Okehi, Obibi, ozuzu, Isu, Odufor, Nihi, Okomoko, Ulakwo Umuselem, Umuakonu, Umuanyagu, Okoroagu, Obite, Umuoye, Igboh, Umuechem, Egbeke, Ndashi, Akwa, Akwukabi, Elelem, Owu, Unuaturu, Ogida, Aloma, Odogwa, etc.[1]

Economy

Umuechem in Etche is one of the oil producing community in Nigeria since the beginning of exploration in the area in 1958.[6] Today, Etche has over 250 producing oil wells and a host 3 of flow stations.[7][8] It is also said to have the largest deposit of natural gas, south of the Niger river. The people of Etche are mostly engaged in agriculture, earning the nickname 'the food basket of the state[9]'. Etche is one of the host communities of the government-owned multi-billion naira palm oil production company Risonpalm, as well as Delta Rubber Production Company. In recent times, real estate development has grown in the area with rapid expansion going on in Igboh-Agwuruasa, Ulakwo-Umuselem, and Okehi Clans.[10] Cassava, plantain, banana and yam are important crops. Agricultural plantation (notably Rubber, palm oil, pineapple, and plantain) was encouraged by the then Eastern Regional government of Nigeria, but this has since lost steam. Agriculture is mostly not mechanized and the use of tractors for farming these crops has dropped slightly in the 1986–2004 period.[11]

Shell Petroleum Development Company, the dominant oil operator in the area since the late 1950s, has only funded a largely ineffective and inefficient cassava processing mill at Umuebulu, and in 2000 it attempted albeit abysmally to provide training to local women in operation and management of the mill.[12] Palm oil production by smallholders is a significant part of the economy.[13]

Political unrest

In October 1990, a demonstration was held in Umuechem, Etche to demand social amenities and compensation for oil pollution. State security agents reacted with tear gas and gunfire. 50 people died and about 550 houses were destroyed.[6][14] The April 2003 national elections were marked by serious violence and intimidation in the Etche LGA, seriously compromising the free voters' process.[15] In a 2007 report, Human Rights Watch said that "in recent years Etche has earned a degree of unwelcome notoriety due to allegations of corruption, thuggery, and murder leveled against politicians and public office holders from the area." The report stated that health and education facilities were in an advanced state of physical decay, with funds allocated for staffing and renovation being diverted for other purposes.[16] In January 2009 the Etche legislative council impeached three of their members for "irrational and unconscionable behaviour, gross misconduct, misappropriation of legislative funds and abuse of office."[17]

A training camp for ex-militants was established in Okehi in Etche LGA, teaching skills such as welding and fabrication, fitting, seafaring/marine, business and commerce and so on. In October 2009, 200 of the students demanded their allowances, threatening to return to the creeks to cause havoc if unpaid.[18]

Recent developments

In August 2009, a Marriage Registration Centre was opened in the LGA.[19] In September 2009 the Niger Delta Development Commission opened a free medical mission in Omuma Local Government Council.[20]

Climate

The Cimate of Etche is typical of the tropical rainforest; with rainfall between 160–236 cm annually. Wet season usually last for 9 months (March–November) with short dry season from December–February. Temperature ranges between 24 °C and 38 °C, with high humidities.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 "Etche Culture: A brief walk into the history and economy of one of Nigeria's lovely people". Pulse Nigeria. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  2. ↑ Gloria Chuku, Gloria (2005). Igbo Women and Economic Transformation in Southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1960. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780415972109. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. ↑ Augustine Senan Ogunyeremuba Okwu (2010). Igbo Culture and the Christian Missions, 1857-1957: Conversion in Theory Practice. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780761848844. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "Igbo People and Irish People: A Trans-Atlantic Partnership By George C E Enyoazu At the 10th Anniversary of Ezinwanne, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland". African Democrat. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  5. ↑ Nigeria, Media (2018-04-24). "Etche L.G.A Polling Units/Wards". Media Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  6. 1 2 admin (2017-02-25). "Niger Delta: Osinbajo and the Unresolved Etche Question". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  7. ↑ admin (2017-02-25). "Niger Delta: Osinbajo and the Unresolved Etche Question". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  8. ↑ "Youths in Etche LG of Rivers plan peaceful protest over bad state of roads". pmnewsnigeria.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  9. ↑ "A brief walk into the history and economy of Etche culture". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  10. ↑ Patrick Naagbanton (April 2, 1999). "SHELL'S TOXIC WAR AGAINST UMUAKURU-IGBO PEOPLE". ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ACTION (ERA). Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  11. ↑ S.O. Nkakini; M.J. Ayotamuno; S.O.T. Ogaji; S.D. Probert (6 June 2006). "Farm mechanization leading to more effective energy-utilizations for cassava and yam cultivations in Rivers State, Nigeria". Applied Energy. 83 (12): 1317–1325. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2006.03.001. hdl:1826/1355.
  12. ↑ "REFERENCE TO OUR EXPERIENCES". Wetlands Associates. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  13. ↑ DI Ekine; ME Onu (2008). "Economics Of Small-Scale Palm Oil Processing In Ikwerre And Etche Local Government Areas Of Rivers State, Nigeria". Journal of Agriculture and Social Research. 8 (2). doi:10.4314/jasr.v8i2.43342.
  14. ↑ Adebola Babatunde Ekanola (2007). "Terror Techniques in the Niger Delta and the Question of Justice" (PDF). The Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. 9 (2). ISSN 1520-5509. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  15. ↑ "Report on Electoral Violence in the South South following the April 12th Senate and House of Representatives Elections". Idasa. Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  16. ↑ ""Chop Fine" Impact of Local Government Corruption and Mismanagement on Primary Education and Primary Health Care in Rivers State" (PDF). Human Rights Watch. January 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  17. ↑ Amadi Gilbert (January 25, 2009). "Etche Legislators Impeach Three Councilors". National Network. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  18. ↑ Godfrey Azubike (14 October 2009). "Militants Threaten To Rock the Boat". NewsWatch. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  19. ↑ Amadi Gilbert (August 23, 2009). "Etche LGA Gets Marriage Registration Centre". National Network. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  20. ↑ "NDDC Takes Free Healthcare to LG". This Day. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  21. ↑ Ogbonna, David (2010). "Seasonal dynamics of microbial population and physicochemical characteristics of a water body receiving industrial pollutants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria" (PDF). Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America. 1 (6): 1333–1339. doi:10.5251/abjna.2010.1.6.1333.1339.
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