INTRODUCTION:
Bayelsa State which is located in Southern Nigeria is one of the states known to be part of the Niger-delta states; between Delta and Rivers state. Bayelsa state is a state blessed with numerous natural resources.
Created by Gen. Sani Abacha during the military governments in 1996. Bayelsa is among the oil producing states we have in Nigeria. In fact crude oil was first discovered in Bayelsa State at Otuabagi which was in the then Oloibiri district. Till date it is known as the Oloibiri oil well, but you’ll find this monument along the road in Otuabagi. This first oil well drilled and produced in commercial quantity making it the first in Nigeria and aided the economic base shift from farming to oil and gas. The oil well is 12,008 feet deep.
The capital, Yenagoa is the administrative seat of power where the state government resides. Although the local language spoken is ijaw, there are other dialects such as Epie-Atisa, Ogbia, Nembe etc.
The socio economic class mainly thrives on politics today, while the local economies Survive on Agriculture; fishing and farming basically. There are also quite a number of entrepreneurs and professionals doing great in their chosen fields. But at the centre of Bayelsa’s economic survival is government/politics.
Continuing to the main reason for this publication, here’s a list of the natural resources found in Bayelsa State:
- NATURAL GAS- This mineral resource is found in large quantity in the state especially in Local government areas like Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma, Opokuma and Nembe to be precise. Nigerian National Petroleum corporation (NNPC) and other foreign oil companies operating in the country are said to be the ones exploring natural gas in Bayelsa and other states where it can be found.
- CRUDE OIL- This natural resource has generated income for both the federation and the state combined. Although Bayelsa State has one of the largest crude oil and natural gas deposits in Nigeria, majority of Bayelsans live in poverty and yet petroleum products remain expensive. Crude oil is used for making gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, tar, asphalt, paraffin wax, and lubricating oils.
- SALT- this is also one of the many natural resources found in Bayelsa. Salt is found in commercial quantities especially in Brass Local Government Area.
- SILICA SAND- this can be used in the production of glass and also the filtration of water for agricultural purposes.
- AGRO RAW MATERIALS- there numerous agricultural resources asides the oil and gas resources. As a riverine state, many communities are mostly surrounded by water, making it hard to travel by road in the state. The agro resources within the state include; fish, shrimps, oyster, rice, cocoyam, cassava, plantain, timber, cane wood, raffia palm, irvingia (Ogbono), maize, palm produce, sugarcane, yam and numerous other seafoods.
- HUMAN RESOURCES- Bayelsa State is rich with numerous human resources from sports to the creative industry, a few in the oil sector, the military where they keep stifling their growth, the entertainment industry and a whole lot of successful professional career practitioners. Some of her notable people include Late Pa. Gabriel Okara, Ernest Ikoli, Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, Former president of the country; His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Daniel Igali, Samson Siasia, Finidi George, Late Melford Obiene Okilo, HRM. Alfred Diete-Spiff, HRM. Edmund Daukoru, Timi Dakolo, Timaiya, The former chief of Army staff; Late Owoye Andrew Azazi, Dan Etete, Diezani Allison-Madueke etc
There are 8 LGA’s in the state which includes Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa. There are also a couple of higher institutions ranging from the Niger-delta university, Isaac Jasper Boro college of Education, College of Health sciences, School of Nursing, Bayelsa State College of arts and Science, International institute of Tourism, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa Medical University and University of Africa Toru Orua,
CONCLUSION
Most people living within the state are rural dwellers and lack access to social amenities like transportation, medical facilities, good education and other important infrastructure. There has been low developmental activities in the state due to the lack of commercial activities. Decades of neglect by both the federal, state Governments and oil and gas firms is also a worrying factor.
Kidnapping, militancy and other criminal activities have also taken over the state, since the efforts of successive state governments have proved abortive in trying to curb the trend of insecurity in the state.
Conscious youths have continuously worked hard towards changing the numerous negative narratives out there in the public space. But the journey seems to be a task that needs more youths coming on board to support in taking Bayelsa State to her pride of place as the Glory of all lands.
It is a thing of bewilderment that a state as rich as this; rich in various natural resources hasn’t been utilised to her full potential.