Improving the Socioeconomic Wellbeing of The People of Aguleri Area Through Water Resources Development

Abstract

Use of water for irrigation and food production constitutes one of the greatest pressures on freshwater resources. Meeting the water needs and food security of the people can be met by irrigation, from surface water sources, groundwater withdrawals and rain fed agriculture. The study area covers Anambra East, Anambra West, and Oyi Local Governments of Anambra State Nigeria, and hydrologically falls within the Anambra River Basin of the country. The Geology of the area is sedimentary and comprises of Alluvium, Nanka Sands, Ameki Formation. The geologic units are Tertiary formed less than 65 million years ago. Precipitation is heavy and between 1500 and 2000 mm a year. Elevation is generally less than 62 meters above mean sea level. The area lies within the Humid Tropical Belt of the country and vegetation found are the marshy waterlogged type and light forest. There are enough water resources and surface waters include rivers, streams, springs and wetlands. During the rainy season the marsh lands of the River Niger and Anambra River are water logged and flooded culminating in rich alluvial deposits for agriculture. The flow rates and discharge for both rivers throughout the year are harnessed to optimum levels for irrigation purposes. The sedimentary deposits encountered are highly aquiferous and are exploited for domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial purposes. Groundwater is exploited by hand-dug wells, tripod bored wells and hydraulically driven wells. Hydrogeologic studies reveal hydraulic heads range from 15-19 meters and 5-8 meters for water depth in the Alluvium. Hydraulic heads range from 30-60 metres in Nanka Sands, while water level varies from 20-70 meters. Surface water harnessing and groundwater exploitation is of immense benefit to the people for improving their living conditions, alleviating poverty and uplifting the socio economic status of the semi-urban and rural population. Improved infrastructural development based on the water resources potentials of the region has boosted agricultural production and the growth of agro-based industries. This has, to an extent, helped to achieve the objective of the Millennium Development Goals targeted at the developing economies of the world.