University of Nigeria Research Publications ELECHI, Evaristus Emeghara Author Author PG/ Ph.D/98/26000 The Anambra- Imo River Basin and Rural Title Development Authority (Airbrda) 1976-2001 Arts Faculty Faculty History and International Studies Department Department May, 2006 Date Signature Signature THE ANAMBRA - IMO RIVER BASIN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (AIRBRDA) 1976 - 2001 t EMEGHARA, EVARISTUS ELECHI PG / Ph. D /9&126,OOO. DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES. UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA. MAY, 2006. I I THE ANAMBRA - IMO RIVER BASIN AND RURAL DEVELOP EN7 AUTHORITY (AIRBRDA) 1976 - 2001 EMEGHARA, EVARISTUS ELECI-CI PG I Ph. D /!18/26,000m U.A.,M.A. (NIGERIA), MPA (IMSU), PGDE (CAIABAR) . A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph-D) IN ECONOMIC HISTORY t~ THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA. ... 111 DECLARATION THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS DECLARES AS FOLLOWS: That Emeghara, Evaristus Elechi, a postgraduate student in the Department of History and International Studies, with Registration ; Number PGI Ph.D/98/26,000,l~assatisfactorily fulfilled the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economic titstory. The work embodied in this thesis is original and has not been submitted, in part or full, for any other diploma or degree of this or any other University. Supervisor .................................. ................................. Professor 0. N. Njoku Date Internal ~xaininer External Examin0."' r Date ........~,J.L~. t.h....... Mr. J. 0.~hazue$ Date Head of Department DECLARATION THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS DECLARES AS FOLLOWS: That Emeghara, Evaristus Elechi, a postgraduate student in the . Department of I-iistory and International Studies, with Registration ; Number PG/ Ph.D/98/26,OOO, has satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economic History. The work embodied in this thesis is original and has not been submitted, in part or full, for any other diploma or degree of this or any other University. ........ ................. Prof,. # Professor 0. N. Njoku Date Internal ~xaminer External Examinow r Date . .?.?/04-/................... 6 42 Mr. J. 0.Ahazuem Date Head of Department iv , ABSTRACT The cardinal role of sustainable agricultural productivity and rural transformation in the developmerit process of developing countries is self-evident. However, devising an appropriate and consistent paradigrn to adequately taclde the worrisome and vexed issues of rural i~nderdevelopmentand stagnation has been problematic. This is evident in the number of development strategies and approaches that have been put to test, adopted and jettisoned over the years. Thus, development experts are being challenged to come to grips with the issue of rural underdevelopment by providing apt solution in this regard. Like other developing countries, ,Nigeria has used parastatal organizations as catalysts for socio-economid development. From available evidence, the results have not been as encouraging as anticipated and have not justified the huge investments. At best, the impsct has been insignificant and marginal. Against this background, this study was carried out with the broad objective of evaluating the role and impact of the Anambra-lmo River Basin and Rural Development Authority (AIRBRDA) towards enhanced I agricultural and rural development in the South-eastern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. At inception in 1976, the AIRBRDA, like the other Authorities nationwide, was widely expected to bring the benefits of modern agriculture to the local population. It was also anticipated to launch the region on the path of sustainable economic and social development. Expectedly, since inception, the Authority has attempted, though with certain constraints to achieve its statutory goals. These goals mainly include: development of land and water resource potentials of the South-eastern zone of Nigeria for agricultural purposes and v development of rural infrastructure. This is aimed at improving the standard of living of the local population. m It IS also germane to emphasize that the social, economlc and other coi-wderations which influenced the establishment of the AIRBRDA are in consonance with the problem in the South-eastern zone of Nigeria as well as in other zones. However, admittedly, almost three decades of its establishment, there appears to be a marked disparity between its objectives and what has really been achieved. So, whilst some of the objectives have been accomplished, others have been partially achieved and yet some have remained unachieved. This state of affairs IS attr~butableto a variety of factors, prominent among t which include shortage of funds, inconsistency in government policies, * inadequate operational autonomy as well as frequent governmental interference in the running of the Authority and adoption of exotic and inappropriate technology. Others are dearth of qualified manpower in key areas. problems in procuring spare Pp& for broken down equipment, plants and vehicles, inadequate supply of agricultural inputs like agro-chemicals, fertilizers and irrigation water, inadequate feasibility studies on the project and lack of foresight on the part of the planners who failed to fully include the local population at the inception of the . project. -.r It is, therefore, argued that for the AIRBRDA to continue to exist and perform its statutory functions satisfactorily in the South-eastern zone, it imperatively needs to redefine its strategies. If not, its impact on - - ------------ ------------ people of its area of coverage will continue to be insignificant DEDICATION CL This thesis is dedicated to God Almighty for the zeal He has given to me'to conclude it. .ID. DEDICATION 4. i This thesis is dedicated to God Almighty for the zeal He has given to me'to conclude it. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Undeniably, in an effort to produce a work of this nature, I I accumulated a huge load of gratituds and indebtedness to several persons and institutions too many to be all acknowledged here individually. First and foremost, I wish to express my profound gratitude arid special appreciation to my supervisor, Professor J.O. Ijoma, for his encouragement, guidance, patience and co-operation since 1999. As a matter of fact, during this period , sometimes, he went out of the normal and official student-teacher relationship to assist me. Without his support, this study would not have been zampleted. Also, I acknowledge my indebtedness to other academic staff of the Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), whom I had to consult at times of need or difficulty. Deserving mention in this regard are: Professor 0.N. Njoku, J.O. Ahazuem, (the current Head of Department), Dr. Uchennw Anyanwu and Paul Qbl-Ani, I am equally grateful to my reliable and indefatigable friend and colleague at the UNN, Chief Dr. Uwakwe O.A. Esse, who 'through discussions, helped to improve my focus and ideas on this study. He also rendered very valuable assistance in making available to me vital archival and other materials. My sincere thanks also go to the staff c?f the Nnamdi Azikwo Library, UNN, especially to Mrs. Patience Okere, Messrs Omeje and Eze, for their assistance in making available certain research materials relevant to the study. Finally, I wish to thank my wife, Chinyerem and our children, Chinazaekpere, Chisomaga and Chukwuebuka, who kit ldly allowed this .. Vlll study to encroach on their time. For their understanding and patience, I am truly grateful. While I remain genuinely and profoundly appreciative to the people and institutions mentioned above, the errors or omissions that may exist in this study are not theirs. They are entirely mine and I accept full responsibility for them. Evaristus E. Emeghara, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. October, 2005. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page Declaration Ill Abstract iv-v Dedication v i Acknowledgements viwiii Table of Contents ix-xii List of Maps xiii List of Figures xiv List of Tables XV List of Abbreviations CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Statement of Problem Purpose of Study Relevance of Study Literature Review Scope of Study Methodology and Sources Organization Notes CHAPTER TWO: SOUTH-EASTERN ZONE OF NIGERIA BEFORE THE - - - - - - ----- --- EMERGENCEOF THE AIRBRQAINI~?~ 43 Geography, Land and People 43-47 Economy 47-50 The South-Eastern Zone Before the Creation of the AIRBRDA in 1976 50-75 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page II ... Declaration Ill Abstract iv-v Dedication vi Acknowledgements vil-viii Table of Contents ix-xii List of Maps xiii List of Figures 6 xiv List of Tables XV 11 List of Abbreviations xvi-xix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Statement of Problem Purpose of Study Relevance of Study Literature Review Scope of Study Methodology and Sources Organization Notes CHAPTER TWO: SOUTH-EASTERN ZONE OF NIGERIA BEFORE THE ------- EMERGENCEE OFTHE AlRBRDAIN19f6 43 Geography, Land and People 43-47 Economy 47-50 The South-Eastern Zone Before the Creatron of the AIRBRDA in 1976 50-75 Notes CHAPTER THREE: THE AIRBRDA Creation and Historical Perspectives Aims and Objectives Organizational Structures Sourc.es of Finance Notes CHAPTER FOUR: PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES ? OF THE AIRBRDA - Irrigation Projects Small Earth Dams Programme Underground Water Resources (Borehole) Development Programme Soil ErosionlFlood Control and Watershed Management HydrologicallHydrometerological Data Collection