The Jewel of the Niger Delta
LOCATION
Okpoama Kingdom spans an area of about a thousand square kilometers at the Southernmost tip of the Niger Delta.
It is bounded by the Brass River to the Northwest, the St. Nicholas River to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the South.
THE TERRAIN AND LAND MASS
It is comprised mostly of mangrove swamps dotted with fishing villages and camps numbering over 60. The main island stretches far over 30 kilometres long and 3 to 10 kilometres wide at the widest points.
The main towns are:
1. Okpoama City comprised of
- Okpoama Main Town
- Isele Ama
- Agada Ama
- Dikima Ama
2. Ewoama
POPULATION
Okpoama is a major dispersal town and its indigenes have migrated to all parts of the Niger Delta as far away as Cameroun leaving Okpoama settlements and footprints along the way.
Of recent they have largely migrated to the major urban centres and the Diaspora
The overall population is placed in the region of 100,000
Okpoama people are mostly fishing people.
They in recent years diversified into the palm kernel trade, general commerce and oil and gas
Oil & Gas
Several wells drilled by Teneno Oil Company in the 1960s were abandoned as a result of the civil war. The NPDC/SIPEC joint venture has commenced oil drilling operations in the Kingdom in OML 66.
Okpoama Kingdom is a host community to AGIP Oil Company which has its main oil exporting facility on the Brass Island.
Brass LNG is in the process of completing preparatory arrangements for the take off of the LNG project in the Kingdom.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Okpoama Kingdom has epileptic supply both in electricity and pipe borne water and is struggling like most communities in Nigeria to provide these basic services at world standard.
The Kingdom has the only airstrip in Bayelsa State capable of being commissioned for domestic operations. It is expected that it will be upgraded to operational status at the commencement of the Brass LNG.
The Brass Island has serviceable internal roads and jetties. The Nembe Brass Road is presently under construction which on completion will link the Brass Island to the rest of the country.
COMMUNICATION
The community is well serviced with both GLO and MTN mobile telephone services with cybercafés and other communication services.
HEALTH & EDUCATION
The Kingdom is serviced by a recently refurbished and upgraded cottage hospital and a few clinics. These are most inadequate for the health challenges posed by oil and gas operations.
The Kingdom is educationally challenged. The four secondary schools and the primary and nursery schools need upgrades to acceptable standards. A maritime academy is being planned for takeoff soon.
CULTURE & TOURISM
Okpoama Kingdom has a rich culture spanning over four centuries.
The annual calendar is loaded with festivities and traditional activities depicting the history and struggles of the Okpoama people.
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