The
development of Sapele into an urban center is a product of colonial capitalism.
The introduction of capitalist made of production which was established on a
tripod stand of trade, mining and peasant agricultural production was reflected
in Sapele following the introduction of British administration in the region of
the beginning of the county before 1900, Sapele was colonial backwater a kind
of riverside village which the colonial authorities became interested in as a
result of it strategic commercial importance, it was situated on the Ethiope
and Sea sure river confluence with the introduction of gun-boat diplomacy into the local policies in Urhobo land
during that last two decades of the 19th century, Sapele was designated as the sub-headquarter of the
western Niger-Delta administration of Moore (ikime 1965).
development of Sapele into an urban center is a product of colonial capitalism.
The introduction of capitalist made of production which was established on a
tripod stand of trade, mining and peasant agricultural production was reflected
in Sapele following the introduction of British administration in the region of
the beginning of the county before 1900, Sapele was colonial backwater a kind
of riverside village which the colonial authorities became interested in as a
result of it strategic commercial importance, it was situated on the Ethiope
and Sea sure river confluence with the introduction of gun-boat diplomacy into the local policies in Urhobo land
during that last two decades of the 19th century, Sapele was designated as the sub-headquarter of the
western Niger-Delta administration of Moore (ikime 1965).
The
process of expansion of the town was gradual as from 1900 to 1920 which British
role was consolidated in urhobo land, as
elsewhere in Nigeria. Crown lands were proclaimed in the region to assist the
colonial exploiters of the rubber and timber resources of the region.
Sapele itself is located in the mangrove
swamp forest belt of the then Bendel state of Nigeria. Within this state Urhobo
land lies within latitudes 60
and 50 15’ North and longitude 50 400 and 60
25’ East (Otite 1978). The geographical location of the town was therefore favorable
for the growth of economic tree crops such as walnut danta and Agba used for
timber and rubber, apart from these advantages Sapele is a port located within
70 miles from the sea. This means it well protected from tidal waves current as
well as the disasters of breakwater, a constant feature of the warri river, Above
all the town was well served with fresh water
process of expansion of the town was gradual as from 1900 to 1920 which British
role was consolidated in urhobo land, as
elsewhere in Nigeria. Crown lands were proclaimed in the region to assist the
colonial exploiters of the rubber and timber resources of the region.
Sapele itself is located in the mangrove
swamp forest belt of the then Bendel state of Nigeria. Within this state Urhobo
land lies within latitudes 60
and 50 15’ North and longitude 50 400 and 60
25’ East (Otite 1978). The geographical location of the town was therefore favorable
for the growth of economic tree crops such as walnut danta and Agba used for
timber and rubber, apart from these advantages Sapele is a port located within
70 miles from the sea. This means it well protected from tidal waves current as
well as the disasters of breakwater, a constant feature of the warri river, Above
all the town was well served with fresh water
Concessions
were obtained by colonial capitalist and indigenous exploiter to establish
rubber plantations following the introduction of para-rubber tree into
Urboho-land in the last decade of the 19th century. Internal and
external trade was enhanced as a result of changes in Agricultural production
which took the form of changes in processing, distribution, marketing and in
the prices of Agricultural products.
were obtained by colonial capitalist and indigenous exploiter to establish
rubber plantations following the introduction of para-rubber tree into
Urboho-land in the last decade of the 19th century. Internal and
external trade was enhanced as a result of changes in Agricultural production
which took the form of changes in processing, distribution, marketing and in
the prices of Agricultural products.
This was facilitated
by the introduction of bituminized road into the town in the late 1930s and 1940. By 1960 most major
road in Sapele were tarred and by the 1970s the pace has been increased and
extended to the sub-urban towns such as Mosogar.
by the introduction of bituminized road into the town in the late 1930s and 1940. By 1960 most major
road in Sapele were tarred and by the 1970s the pace has been increased and
extended to the sub-urban towns such as Mosogar.
Politics
added a new dimension to the period of the world war II period in 1905, a
native court was established in the town to cater for the administration of
trade and polities in the town as well as other town in the Okpe Kingdom and
clan (Ikime: 1969) Between 1900 and 1920 administrative blocks to house the native court officials, the District officers
house, churches and school were built while a colonial hospital and postal
agency were also established between 1921 and 1930 in 1905, a communication
wire was extended from Benin city to Sapele to serve the interest of the
expatriates there:
added a new dimension to the period of the world war II period in 1905, a
native court was established in the town to cater for the administration of
trade and polities in the town as well as other town in the Okpe Kingdom and
clan (Ikime: 1969) Between 1900 and 1920 administrative blocks to house the native court officials, the District officers
house, churches and school were built while a colonial hospital and postal
agency were also established between 1921 and 1930 in 1905, a communication
wire was extended from Benin city to Sapele to serve the interest of the
expatriates there:
The
political elite worked in collaboration with the burgeoning local business
comprador class including the intellectual elite to fashion out development
programmes such as the introduction of pipe-borne water supply schemes,
electricity (as from 1951) and the physical restructuring of the town (Ministry
of commerce and industry Bulletin, 1951-52). To a large extent, the economic of
the town was the most significant factor for growth of the Sapele town into an
urban centre. One important economic factor was the Sapele port. Sapele was,
and has been a port in spite of the recommendation of the imperial committee in
1928 to the effect that shipping in Nigeria should be concentrated in Lagos
while port Harcourt should be developed as a subsidiary seaport during the
colonial period, the Sapele port remained as the most fastest expanding port
during the colonial period (Akinjogbin and Osoba, 1980).
political elite worked in collaboration with the burgeoning local business
comprador class including the intellectual elite to fashion out development
programmes such as the introduction of pipe-borne water supply schemes,
electricity (as from 1951) and the physical restructuring of the town (Ministry
of commerce and industry Bulletin, 1951-52). To a large extent, the economic of
the town was the most significant factor for growth of the Sapele town into an
urban centre. One important economic factor was the Sapele port. Sapele was,
and has been a port in spite of the recommendation of the imperial committee in
1928 to the effect that shipping in Nigeria should be concentrated in Lagos
while port Harcourt should be developed as a subsidiary seaport during the
colonial period, the Sapele port remained as the most fastest expanding port
during the colonial period (Akinjogbin and Osoba, 1980).
In 1954, the Sapele port became the third most
important port in Nigeria apart from Lagos and port Harcourt port (Ekundare,
1973). By 1950, at least half of each general cargo export passed through
either Lagos port Harcourt or Sapele. The port facilities were improved us from
1954, with the establishment of the Nigeria port Authority that year.
These improvements enhanced import and
export through the part and subsequently led to the creation of more job
opportunities which directly expanded urbanization process.
important port in Nigeria apart from Lagos and port Harcourt port (Ekundare,
1973). By 1950, at least half of each general cargo export passed through
either Lagos port Harcourt or Sapele. The port facilities were improved us from
1954, with the establishment of the Nigeria port Authority that year.
These improvements enhanced import and
export through the part and subsequently led to the creation of more job
opportunities which directly expanded urbanization process.
Another
economic factor was the establishment of the ferry was undertaken by marine
department which had a sub-headquarters at forcados. The move has toed the movement
of lorries, bicycles and cars form the Benin areas, in a period when road construction
was still in its incipient stage.
economic factor was the establishment of the ferry was undertaken by marine
department which had a sub-headquarters at forcados. The move has toed the movement
of lorries, bicycles and cars form the Benin areas, in a period when road construction
was still in its incipient stage.
The volume
of traffic on the ferry increased from 8,745 in 1944 to 12,373 in 1946. By
1947, the volume had risen to 15,941 (NAI Annual Report 1944-47) the figure
increased in the following years up to 1960 but decreased in the post 1960
period due to the construction and Delta bituminized roads in the old Benin and
Delta provinces.
of traffic on the ferry increased from 8,745 in 1944 to 12,373 in 1946. By
1947, the volume had risen to 15,941 (NAI Annual Report 1944-47) the figure
increased in the following years up to 1960 but decreased in the post 1960
period due to the construction and Delta bituminized roads in the old Benin and
Delta provinces.
Perhaps
the greater economic factor that aided the growth of urbanization in Sapele was
the establishment of expatriate business concerns in the region following the
establishment of British rule in the region. In 1917 the messrs miller limited
established the first timber sawmill was move to Sapele where it become engaged
in the processing of timber wood for export, it production was modest until the
world war II period when it expanded its scope as result of external demand for
timber from the metropolitan countries.
the greater economic factor that aided the growth of urbanization in Sapele was
the establishment of expatriate business concerns in the region following the
establishment of British rule in the region. In 1917 the messrs miller limited
established the first timber sawmill was move to Sapele where it become engaged
in the processing of timber wood for export, it production was modest until the
world war II period when it expanded its scope as result of external demand for
timber from the metropolitan countries.
In 1946, the U.A.C added a plywood to it to
become the African timber and plywood industry (A.T.P) in 1948. By 1960, the
A.T.P has become the largest industries complex in Nigeria with a fixed capital
of N3.0 million a labour force of 3,200 and contributing 42% of the gross
national timber export estimated at 24 million cubit feet (Imoagele 1988). The company
was incorporated in 1952 with an authorized capital of E2,500.000 and an issued
capital of the same amount (Bode Oni mode, 1980).
become the African timber and plywood industry (A.T.P) in 1948. By 1960, the
A.T.P has become the largest industries complex in Nigeria with a fixed capital
of N3.0 million a labour force of 3,200 and contributing 42% of the gross
national timber export estimated at 24 million cubit feet (Imoagele 1988). The company
was incorporated in 1952 with an authorized capital of E2,500.000 and an issued
capital of the same amount (Bode Oni mode, 1980).
From the statistics
on job creation by the A.T.P, it can be concluded that the A.T.P was a
formidable factor for urbanization process in Sapele. School leavers were drawn
from the surrounding rural areas into Sapele to hunt for job in the A.T. P. Migrants
were also attracted into Sapele by the A.T.P. the urban “push” factor by the
A.T.P. The urban push factor was aided in 1951 when the A.T.P electrified the
Sapele urban center in collaboration with the local administration (Ministry of
commercial and industry bulletin 1951-52).
on job creation by the A.T.P, it can be concluded that the A.T.P was a
formidable factor for urbanization process in Sapele. School leavers were drawn
from the surrounding rural areas into Sapele to hunt for job in the A.T. P. Migrants
were also attracted into Sapele by the A.T.P. the urban “push” factor by the
A.T.P. The urban push factor was aided in 1951 when the A.T.P electrified the
Sapele urban center in collaboration with the local administration (Ministry of
commercial and industry bulletin 1951-52).
Other
expatriate business concerns were the U.A.C subsidiaries which included the
U.A.C Technical united, Kingsway stores (Nigeria) limited A.S seward (Nigeria)
limited Kingsway limited and the John Holt Rubber company, James Thomas (Joathomas)
limited S.C.O.A. motors and C.F.A.O stores. In 1911 James Thomas established a
1,2,3. area rubber plantation in Sapele (Salubi 1973) in the post independence
period multi-national within the Nigeria State. One can therefore see the role
of colonial capitalism in the expansion of Sapele.
expatriate business concerns were the U.A.C subsidiaries which included the
U.A.C Technical united, Kingsway stores (Nigeria) limited A.S seward (Nigeria)
limited Kingsway limited and the John Holt Rubber company, James Thomas (Joathomas)
limited S.C.O.A. motors and C.F.A.O stores. In 1911 James Thomas established a
1,2,3. area rubber plantation in Sapele (Salubi 1973) in the post independence
period multi-national within the Nigeria State. One can therefore see the role
of colonial capitalism in the expansion of Sapele.
With the
establishment of the foreign capital firms in Sapele, there was bound to be
social problems such as population increase, culture conflict, housing problems
and so on which directly aided the growth of anti-social behaviours
establishment of the foreign capital firms in Sapele, there was bound to be
social problems such as population increase, culture conflict, housing problems
and so on which directly aided the growth of anti-social behaviours
And
analysis of population growth in Sapele for example indicated the dimension of
urbanization process in the area.
Between 1931 and 1952, the population of Sapele increase from 41,43 to 33,638,
that is by 712%. The figure further increase to 61,007 in 1963 (Cox 1931, 1952,
1963) Given 1931 as 100, it was be observed that the Sapele population index
had risen to 812% in 1952 as against 119 in the predominantly native city of
Ibadan (Imoagene1988).
analysis of population growth in Sapele for example indicated the dimension of
urbanization process in the area.
Between 1931 and 1952, the population of Sapele increase from 41,43 to 33,638,
that is by 712%. The figure further increase to 61,007 in 1963 (Cox 1931, 1952,
1963) Given 1931 as 100, it was be observed that the Sapele population index
had risen to 812% in 1952 as against 119 in the predominantly native city of
Ibadan (Imoagene1988).
The
population increase in Sapele was especially remarkable between 1931 and 1952
during which time the plywood factory was established and expanded.
population increase in Sapele was especially remarkable between 1931 and 1952
during which time the plywood factory was established and expanded.
Table: 1 population growth in Sapele and Ibadan between 1931 and 1962
|
YEAR
|
IBANDAN
|
SAPELE
|
|
1931
|
100%
(397,133) |
100%(4,143
|
|
1952
|
119%
(459,196) |
812%(33,638)
|
|
1963
|
163%
(627,379) |
1,473%
(61,007) |
Source: Computed from Nigeria population census figures from 1931, 1953 and
1963 complied by Cox
1963 complied by Cox
Another
features of Sapele population was the rate of migrant flow into the town
between 1931 and 1963. The group of opportunities outstripped the natural
increase in population and the town
became heavily dependent on immigrants. In 1931, the total population (4.143)
was comprised of 99.02% indigenes while the rest 0.98% which was 41 comprised
the immigrant population now made up 22.30% (7,657) of the population while the
immigrant population comprised 77.20% (25,981).
features of Sapele population was the rate of migrant flow into the town
between 1931 and 1963. The group of opportunities outstripped the natural
increase in population and the town
became heavily dependent on immigrants. In 1931, the total population (4.143)
was comprised of 99.02% indigenes while the rest 0.98% which was 41 comprised
the immigrant population now made up 22.30% (7,657) of the population while the
immigrant population comprised 77.20% (25,981).
Table 2: Ratio of native to immigrant population in Sapele in 1931 and 1962
|
YEAR
|
IBANDAN
|
SAPELE
|
|
1931
|
99.02%
(4,102) |
0.98%
(41) |
|
1962
|
22.80%
(7,657) |
77.20
(25,981) |
Source Cox
1932: 24 Nigeria 1953: 28 several business concern that added growth of the
urban population also included lesser timber concerns such as those of Asaboro,
Ja-Thomas and the British west African Trade company which grew up in the 1930s
and 1940s (Imoagene 1988) several processing units including a rubber and
plastic factory have also been established in the post-world war II period. With
the growth of these firm in Sapele, there was bound to be conflict and
antagonism that could lead to crime.
1932: 24 Nigeria 1953: 28 several business concern that added growth of the
urban population also included lesser timber concerns such as those of Asaboro,
Ja-Thomas and the British west African Trade company which grew up in the 1930s
and 1940s (Imoagene 1988) several processing units including a rubber and
plastic factory have also been established in the post-world war II period. With
the growth of these firm in Sapele, there was bound to be conflict and
antagonism that could lead to crime.
Moreover,
culture conflict was bound to occur as a
result of the introduction of the colonial
legal code into the town and the inflow of
secondary groups and associations that emerges as a result of migrants
into the town.
culture conflict was bound to occur as a
result of the introduction of the colonial
legal code into the town and the inflow of
secondary groups and associations that emerges as a result of migrants
into the town.
