CROSS RIVER PLAINS

Physical Setting

The Cross River plains lie between the Udi hills to the west and highlands of the eastern borders of Nigeria. The Cross River and its tributaries dominate the drainage system of this region. This massive lowland covers an area of about 30, 000 sq km. The relief is relatively uniform, with elevations ranging between 120 to 180 metres above sea level. The geology of the area is primarily made up of shale and sandstones but with widespread patches of flooded clay plains, which are used for rice cultivation.

The area has a sub-equatorial climate with abundant rainfall and high temperatures all year round. Swamp forest vegetation is found in the southern part while the northern part has guinea savanna with remnants of the original forest vegetation occurring in isolated patches.

 

People and Population

Several ethnic groups are found in this region. In the southern part are the Ibibio, Igbo and Efik, while in the northern part are the lyala, Idoma and Tiv. The area settled by the Ibibio has a very high population density of over 300 persons per sq km. The population thins out towards the eastern highlands, where the population density is less than 20 persons per sq km. On the western flank of the region, the population density is moderate being about 100 persons per sq km. The settlement pattern generally is dispersed and the majority of the people live in villages, hamlets and farm camps. Major urban centres in the area include Eket, Calabar, Ugep, Itu, Ikot-Ekpene, Ogoja, Abakaliki, Afikpo and Uyo.

 

Resources and Economic Development

Agricultural products, such as, palm produce, rubber; cocoa and rice are major economic resources in the area. Farming is a major economic activity. Rice is produced on a commercial scale in areas around Abakaliki and Afikpo; yams are produced in Ogoja, Abakaliki and the Tiv speaking areas. Soya beans, guinea corn and bean seeds are also produced in the Tiv speaking areas in the northern part of the region. There are a number of oil palm, rubber, and cocoa plantations in the forest belt to the south and on the foothills of the eastern highlands. Logging is a major activity in this southern equatorial region. The area produces a lot of timber for the urban and export markets. But, the government has marked out over 800 sq km area of the forest area as nature reserves.

Livestock farming is practised in the uplands on the eastern flank of the region. There is a cattle ranch on Obudu plateau.

The main mineral resources are petroleum in areas around Eket in Akwa Ibom State; and limestone in Nkalagu and around Calabar respectively, where cement factories have been set up to utilize the available raw material.

 

Transport and Trade

This region has a poorly developed transport network, particularly in the eastern upland areas; however, modern roads link up the major settlements. As noted above, logging is an important economic activity for the export market and, in some places, the logs are floated down the rivers on rafts, while in other places the logs are processed at the point of felling before they are exported. There is an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Calabar, which has attracted a lot of foreign investment and trade. Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar is the main airport in the region and an important air outlet to other parts of the country and the world.

The Cross River Plains region is noted for its tourist industry. The major tourist locations and events in the area include the Obudu Cattle Ranch, with its attractive temperate climate; and the annual Calabar carnival which is heavily patronized by tourists both from within and outside the country. Calabar can be rightly said to bea tourist haven, with its attractive environment, hotels and hospitable people.