Contributions of Community Based Natural Resources in Socio-Economic Development of Indigenous Coastal Dwellers in Odukpani, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined the contribution of community based natural resources on the socio-economic development of indigenous coastal dwellers in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State. Four hundred copies of questionnaires were administered to the indigenous coastal dwellers including farmers, hunting, fishing and many others. A total of eleven (11) villages naturally endowed with resources were sampled. Adequate consultation with community stakeholders was carried out so as to fully incorporate their opinion into the study. The various community based resources found were sand aggregate, fisheries, wildlife, forest and swamp cultivation. The factors influencing the exploitation of community based resources were not limited to community institutions, poor technology/capital and land tenure. Chisquare was used in testing hypothesis. The result produces Pearson Chi-Square value of 207.162a, and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000, with implication that, natural resources availability contributed less on the development of Odukpani LGA, Cross River State. Further result produces Pearson Chi-Square value of 219.100a, degree of freedom (df) of 12 and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000, revealing that community based resource exploitation does not contribute significantly to household income for indigene of Odukpani. During interactive session, it was revealed that resources control is basically in the hands of few and similarly, management practices tends to contradict the principles of sustainable development. Suggestions such as setting up of committees on indigenous people’s rights and development, self-help development, increased political participation and effective implementation of government policy on financial autonomy at grass root level were raised for a transformative community development.