WATER BODIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper discusses water bodies and economic development in south East, Nigeria. It explores the relationship between water bodies and economic development in Southeast Nigeria. It highlights the biodiversity potential of these water bodies and outline strategies to make them functional such as environmental restoration, infrastructure development, dredging, and regular pollution control. The study examines the potential economic benefits of functional water bodies in the region, including reliable clean water supply, improved transportation, consistent access to aquatic food, enhanced recreation and tourism, efficient irrigation, and ecosystem restoration. The paper also addresses the negative impacts of the current lack of functional water bodies, such as the widespread drilling of boreholes, economic losses due to travel to other regions for essential resources, migration out of the region, and the overall dependency of the local economy. The study employed a historical method of qualitative objective content analysis of both primary and secondary sources. The finding of the paper reveals that the absence of functional water bodies has significantly contributed to the region's economic stagnation which has in constant migration out of the region with attendance economic consequences. The study concludes that revitalizing the water bodies in Southeast Nigeria could transform the region into a thriving economic hub within the nation.