BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
REPORT
ON
PHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDY
OF
KATSINA-ALA TOWN AND ENVIRONS
COMPILED
BY
JIR SAMUEL AONDOHEMBA
BSU/SS/GEO/10/8849
COURSE: GEO 384 AND 385
CO-ORDINATOR:

DR. OGWUCHE
MR. ABAWUA J.T.

Objectives of the field trip

To generate knowledge which in the long-run can help in

compiling information about the local geography of the areas
studied.

To expose students and train them on the different methods

and ways of obtaining information from the field, the problems
and challenges.

To confirm theories and hypothesis as well as concepts and

other apriorimodel of real world developed about other parts of
the earth surface and though in the classes.

The fresh information and knowledge obtained from the field

work can support secondary data in confirming established
postulation about the nature of forms and processes in
environment; or improve or modify existing postulates.

To provide information that is fresh and real time about place

and objects of interest.

THEME OF THE FIELD WORK

The theme of this study is a physical and socio-economic study of
Katsina-Ala town and environs in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of
Benue State. The main aim of the study is to develop and preliminary
regional geography of Katsina-Ala town, the headquarters of Katsina-Ala
Local Government Area.
MAJOR FEATURES IN THE AREA STUDY
The study treated the origin characteristics and economics importance of
the following features in the area; viz

The Akata Lakes

Harga hills

The extensive flood plains

The colonial trading post (Rice mill)

Urban environmental management

INTRODUCTION:
Geography is the study of the spatial distribution of phenomena as well
as the interrelationships and interactions among these phenomena and
the resultant forms and process of physical and social-economic
activities. To obtain enough information on these physical and social
economic patterns, there is need for the close examination and analysis
in the field and accessible part of the environment showing one or more
aspects of the nature and character of these environmental processes.
Mans popular adage that charity begins at home informs the
need to a quaint one self with basic geography of his locality. This
involves knowledge about his surrounding in such environment
attributes like relief, (the ups and downs) and seasonal changes with
attendant variations in the behavioural patterns in both the day and
night skies, (climate). Similarly, vegetation, soils and a host of human
activities geared towards a lively hood are all areas of interest with in
every locality across the world.
Lastly but not the least is the fact that all natural and human
phenomena have processes which underline their occurrence in any
locality-hence, the need to study geography at its most localized form so
as to be able to acquire basic knowledge that is necessary to give an ideal
of what possibly obtains else where.
The locality of any place can best be studied and understood if a
clear idea of the concept of DIRECTION is established. This is because
most variations in both natural and man-made processes as well as
products or phenomena there of exist because of vocational differences
on the earth surface.
As a science that is concerned with a systematic study of the
earths surface geography uses basically two types of data; namely the
primary and secondary sources. The primary sources is directly obtained
in the field through observation, measurement, questionnaire,
interviews, recording and sketching mapping. The secondary source
concerns already established and published literatures on the subject
including theories, models and established examples of geographic

events and features already known to us existing else where. Thus, a

geographer who aims at original and first hand work must become
familiar with the essential techniques of gathering and processing
primary information as data.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KATSINA-ALA TOWN
Katsina-Ala Local Government Area was created in 1976 with
headquarters at Katsina_Ala. Katsina-Ala is 126km away from Makurdi,
the state capital. Katsina-Ala local Government Area shared boundaries
with Logo and Ukum Local Government Area in the North. In the North
East are Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas in Taraba State,
Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas to the South and Buruku
Local Government Area to the West. The local government area lies in the
guinea savannah vegetation while the Eastern portion consists of
undulating hill shrubs. Annual rainfall ranges between 158mm-180mm.
The prominent geographical features in the area are River Katsina-Ala,
the Harga Hills of igneous rock, River Yooyo, Loko and Lake Akata, like
most parts of Nigeria there are two main season. These are the rainy
season which last from April to October and dry season which start from
November and last till March. The people of Katsina-Ala Local
Government Area of Benue State are mainly farmers. Over 75% of the
population engages in agricultural. Agriculture is therefore the main stay
of the economy of the people blessed with fertile soil, good rainfall and
good drainage system. Almost all the crops grow well in the climatic zone.
The crops include yams, sorghum, cassava, yellow melon, etc. Traditional
farm tool include hoes, matches and cutlasses are used in cultivation of
the soils. People of Katsina-Ala have a rich cultural heritage commonly
expressed through their famous cultural dances such as Gbasela, Takera
Agbega, and Kwagh-hir among others.
Katsina-Ala town is the headquarters of Katsina-Ala Local
Government Area and is one of the oldest local government areas in
Benue State.
From a historical perspective, there is no town in Tiv land that has
doubtful account surrounding its origin. The town which is

predominantly located in the heart of Tiv land the majority ethnic group
in Benue State has so many accounts about its origin. The towns name
stems from one of the most important geographical features in the area,
river Katsina-Ala. The town is said to have been founded by the
immigrants from Katsina North, now Katsina State, at the dawn of the
20th century. According to Idoko(2000), several events explain the
emergence of katsina-ala town.
According to him, the Etulo people who inhabited the bank of river
katsin-ala were facing security problems and invited the British troops
for protection. The troops arrived in 1907 and were shown a site near the
otsazi (an Etulo clan) to build a station.
The Otse-Etula showed them a site outside his palace, so as to minimize
interference in his chiefdom administration.
Because of the security offered by the British troops followed by
trading activities by British and other foreign companies, who specialized
in packaging local cash crops for export, some Hausa migrants where
attracted to offer support services to the trade and commerce. The
settlement grew and took its names, katsina to Ala, as most of the Huasa
settlers had come from Birni katsina, now the capital of katsina state.
This long name was subsequently shortened and adulterated to be
become katsina-ala .

THE AKATA LAKES

ORIGIN AND TYPES OF LAKES

Lake is a body of water surrounded by land it occupies the hollows of
the land surface in which water accumulates.
The are two types of lakes, natural and artificial or man-made
lakes.

NATURAL LAKES

These are lakes that form naturally. They include lakes

volcanic activities such as crater and caldera, lake, form by
such as kettle lakes, lakes formed by earth movement such
lakes, lakes forms by deposition such as Akata lakes (river
and lakes formed by erosion such as karst

formed by
glaciations
as tectonic
deposition)

Lakes. (river deposition ) and lakes formed by erosion such as karst lake.

ARTIFICIAL LAKES.

These are the lakes that are formed by human and biological activities.
Man-made lakes result when man erects concrete dams across a river
valley so that the river water can be kept to form reservoirs.
A good example is the kainji lake on the river Niger above the kainli, dam
Also, animal like beavers lives in communities and construct dams
across the river with timber. such beaver dams are quite permanent and
are found in north America for example, beaver lake inn Yellowstone
national park, USA.

LOCATION OF AKATA LAKE

Akata lake is located on north-western part of Katsina-ala, if your are

given Katsina-ala as a reference town.

In other way Akata lake is located behind College of education katsinaala .And is one the must poplar lake in Benue State .

FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR LAKE FORMATION

There must be a circumficial boundary that retain the water.

The surface must be able to forestall excess infiltration and
Percolation into the ground water.
The volume of water in the lake must exceed evaporation during
Part of the season or through the year.

FACTORS FOR THE FORMATION OF AKATA LAKE OR LOW

Akata Lake is an ox-bow lake which is formed due to river

Deposited from river katsina-ala. River katsina-ala shortened its
Course during a flood by cutting across its meandering loops,
Leaving behind a horseshoe-shaped channel. The following factOrs favour the formation of Akata lake .

There is a circumficial boundary that retains the water.

The subsurface is able to forestall excess infiltration and

Percolation into the ground water.
This is possible because infiltration and percolation into the
Ground water .This is possible because Katsina-ala is situated
On a basement complex and therefore favourble for lake
Formation .

There is a seasonal contact between lake Akata and the main

River which is river Katsina-ala. This helps the lake to be

Viable in terms of fish and other aquatic lives.

1.7 FISHING AND FISHERY AT AKATA LAKES
Fishing refers to the exploitation of fish for human welfare in a water
body. There are many ways of getting fish in Akata lake. These include
the use of fishing gears, gill set, drag nets hook and lines, hook multiple
lines, bows and arrows, hand picking and so on.
There are various types of fish in Akata lake but, I am not going to
their species, fish in Akata lake comes in through over flood of river
Katsina-ala and introducing of the fish in the lake.
Fishing activities are done once in a year.
Etulo people are the main fishermen in Akata lake.

1.8. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE AKATA LAKES

It offers employment to the inhabitants who eventually engage in
fishing
Occupation .
It serves as a source of income because fishermen sell the fish they
catch
From the lake and get money from the sales.
It is use for research and education: students visit Akata to learn and
Appreciate geographical features just as we (300 level of geography
have
done.

 It is also used as a tourist centre.

It is a source of water supply to the community.
The lake also serve as a means of transportation.
It is a source of food because people eat the fish caught from the lake
.
1.9.PROBLEM WITH THE CURRENT STATE AND USE OF THE LAKE
OWNERSHIP : There is a clash of interest in terms of who owns the
lake. In
Initially it was claimed by an Etulo man. However, it was later on
claimed by a Tiv man (an ikurav man). Recently the shitile people are
also claiming ownership of the lake. Therefore it could be said that the
lake is been disputed. This struggle for ownership of the lake is not
unconnected to the potentials associated with the lake.
Poor fishing method: Some fishing methods such as use of explosives can
wipe out fish in the lake.
1.10. BENEFITS FOR HARNESSING THE AKATA LAKES
There will be better income generation by government
Storage facilities such as canning will be available.
Better fishing and festivals will be organized
Tourism and recreation can be better managed.
There will be better management for sustainable use.
There will be security and surveillance to the lake.
The lake can be use for traditional sports.
1.11. IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT
The development of Akata Lake can lead to unemployment. This is
because

the government will provide security at the lake and as such there
wont be
indiscriminate fishing at the lake again. This will in the long
render

run

many fisher jobless.

In addition, the lake will no longer provide water and grass for animal
Grazing .
This can cause untold hardship on farmers because they will have to
Evacuate animals to other places for grazing. Some of the
Animal might die in the course of transportation.

2.1. HARGA HILL:

1. Type of hill: Harga hills are granitic hills.

2.2. BRIEF HISTORY AND LOCATION OF HARGA HILL
Harga hill is a volcanical hill or volcanic eruption. It was volcanic
eruption that took place pull out the materials to form the hill, it started
from the Cameroon and passes through the line of weakness at kwande
local government and through (mbakor) tarka local government to
Nasarawa and to plateau with several cracks.
Harga hill is located on the eastern part of katsina-ala local
government if your are giving katsin-ala as a reference town.
2.3. PROCESS THAT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE HARGA HILL
Explosive gasses that took place in the air.
Concentration of solid minerals in the place.
2.4. CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE
The hill are conical in shape
The hills have two peaks standing close to each other.
Water can infiltrate the hills.
The hills are associated with rock falls.
The hills are rich in minerals.
The hills can support dense vegetation at the base.
2.5. MEANS OF WEATHERING
Harga hills are weathered mechanically. In addition, rock exfoliation is
also associated with this type of hills.
2.6. ROLE IN SOIL FORMATION
The Harga hills being granitic have a very significant role in the
formation of soil. The mechanical weathering associated with hills helps
in breaking up rock particles and with a dense vegetation, microbial

activities aid in rock decay and subsequently leading to the formation of

soil.
2.7. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF HARGA HILLS
The fertile nature of the soil at the base can support the production of
food
Crops such as maize, guinea corn and so on.
It can be used for blasting.
It can serve as a tourist centre.
It can be quarried for construction processes.
Animal on the hill are hunt for food and commercial purpose.
2.8. ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
Rainfall here is in March and end October. Rainfall here is brought in
south-western wind the rainfall, has two pick July and August break.
The highest rainfall is may, June and September, precipitation all year
round.
During dry season there is massive snows.
3.1. THE EXTENSIVE FLOOD PLAINS

Flooding may lead to collapse/damage to property when

environmental problems. The need to protect biological heritage of any
place is paramount in any settlement. All settlements including towns
and cites need regenerating features order to sustain continuously.
Katsina-ala local Government Area is dominantly inhabited by the
Tiv who are mostly farmers. The town is located in the fadama plains
and part of the upland area along Katsina-ala river. The topography and
climate favours all year farming, the area for now only rainy season
farming of cash, commercial and food crops is commonly practiced.
However this is essentially in a traditional form due to the crude

implement used .The fadamas of the river Katsina-ala are not fully
utilised for dry season farming and market gardening; presently only,
few Hausa farmers practice dry season irrigation and production of sugar
cane, which is still under produced. The present of Katsina-ala River
Basin project, of the lower Benue. River development Authority, charged
with the responsibility of developing these plain and fadama land has
not achieved much.
i. Extensive flood plain is found on either sides of the river at the
Katsina-ala project and behind college of education General Hospital
because at the Katsina-ala project there is an extension of ridge which
Katsina-ala town is located on towards the river if your are coming from
Katsina-ala town towards the river. On the other side of the river, where
the Katsina-ala project is located,
There is a depression. Where ever there is flooding water from river finds
it impossible to penetrate or erode the ridge on the Katsina-ala side of
the river due to the basement complex nature of the rock. In this case,
the depression found on the other side of the river readily accommodates
the incoming water reduces and hence deposition occur giving rise to
alluvial soils or fadama farm land after drying. These soil are very fertile
and can support crop production. In another development, the flood
plain is found behind the college of Education General hospital because
of the extensive depression that starts immediately at the point of
termination of the ridge on the Katsina-ala side of the river. Also at the
point of termination of the depression found at the Katsina-ala project
starts a ridge, and this ridge has force the river to change its direction.
ii. In addition, the depression behind the college of Education-General
hospital provide avenue where deposition occurs from the incoming water
which is of low velocity.
In a nutshell, the presence of the flood plain on either sides of the
river at Katsina-ala project and college of Education can be related to the
alternate occurrence of both the ridges and depression along the river at
these points,(that is at the Katsina-ala project and behind the college of
Education General hospital).

iii. Katsina-ala town is not flooded because it is situated on a ridge or on

the edge of a ridge. The basement complex rocks which make up the
ridge cannot be eroded. In addition, the town has series of interfluves of
valleys and depression which serve as natural drainage channels in
which water flows through into river Katsina-ala town can not be flooded.
iv. The relationship between flood and the means dared structure of the
river is that all of them features of the maturity stage of a river.
V . Deposition along the river actually starts where the waterfall ends,
The slope are no longer steep there by causing a reduction in the velocity
of the water or the river at this point is no longer strong enough to
withstand the capacity of materials it eroded at the Gugur waterfall ends.
In addition, the width of the river at the point where deposition started is
more than at the point of the Gugur waterfall. In this case the water has
large area to flow in than the Gurgur water and consequently reducing
the velocity of the following water and subsequently depositing the
material it had.
3.2. THE KATSINA-ALA RIVER BASE PROJECT
PROJECT STUDY
HISTORY BACKGROUND
The Katsina-ala river project know as the lower Benue was created
in 1979 by the Shehu Shagris administration. It is a federal Government
project. The site of the project is actually in Buruku local government
but is called the Katsina-ala project because of its location near river
Katsina-ala. Its aims was to ensure all around supply of food crops
throughout the year. The area of coverage is about 1530 hecters.
3.3. ACTIVITY SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
Activity scope of the Katsina-ala basin project include
Irrigation farming. This was normally carried out at banks of river
Katsina ala

The irrigation farming is a dry season farming which makes use of

irrigation
Water for the growth of crops. Crops planted include okro spinach,
garden
eggs and so on.
Extension service: workers in the Katsina-ala project were charge with
the
responsibility of giving information or educating individuals,
organization
and the entire community on the need to embark on irrigation
farming.
They were also to encourage farmers on the need to procure tractor on
hire basis for their farm work
Tractor hiring :The Katsina-ala project also provide tractor for farmers
on
hire basis.
3.4. PROJECTS INITIATED AND LEVEL OF SUCCSS
Projects initiated by the Katsina-ala river basin project are,
Irrigation farming
Tractor hiring
In terms of the level of success of these projects stated above,
about 80% of the target was achieved initially. Irrigation farming was
done a very large scale and many crops were produced and sold to
consumers. This provides a lot of income to the government. Tractors too
were providing for hiring by those who wanted to use them.
However in recent the target achievement has fallen to about
40%.This drastic fall can be related to some factors such as lack of

proper funding, equipment failure, decay in infrastructure and so on.

3.5. NATURE OF OPERATION OF IRRIGATION
Irrigation is the process by which moisture or water is supplied to
plants for growth artificially. The type of irrigation that takes place at the
Katsina-ala project is the canal system. It is the process where canal are
used to irrigation of farms. There is a hydro-pump which draws water
from the river for irrigation. The projects usually start in October by
ploughing the land and subsequently ridging. Then the pumps are taken
in to the river and they are connected to suction units. Water then draw
into the intake points and then goes to the primary canal and them to
the secondary canal where the water is spread to the farm. The ridge
must be wet enough before planting is done.
3.6.NATURE OF OPERATION OF LAND LEASING TO FARMERS
The land is prepared in October and given out to farmers for use on
payment of a certain amount of money agreed upon by the management
of the Katsina-ala river basin project.
3.7.CURRENT PROBLEM OF THE PROJECT
Under funding: funds are no longer available and thus the project is
not
Functioning properly it is a federal government project and it has to be
Founded by federal government but it is not so again.
Equipment failure: equipment in the weather station have decayed and
no
longer in use again .
Changes in government: Consistent changes in leadership has also
affected
the project tremendously. Each government or leadership that comes to
Power has a different policy regarding the the project.

 Lack of infrastructure: Lack of basic amenities such as good roads,

electricity
have also contributed to the set back of the project.
Poor project implementation is another key factor militating against
the success of the project.
3.8 THE PROJECT AND LIKELY BENEFITS OF THE FADAMA
PROJECT IF
FULLY OPERATIONAL
The fadama project if fully operational will increase agricultural
production and in the long run boost the economic base of Katsina-ala
local government
3.9. SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE KATSINA-ALA PROJECT
The weather station
The staff gauge
3.10. THE WEATHER STATION
The types of data collected from the weather station include sunshine
data, temperature data and rainfall data.
3.11. THE STAFF GAUGE
The staff gauge gives data on the height,
The depth and the volume of the water in the river.
3.12. IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTED FROM THESE SOURCES
TO
THE PROJECT
THE WEATHER STATION: The data collected from the Weather station
is important to project because it is feasibility study that is carried out

here and these helps the management of the project to know when to
farm each crop.
3.13. THE STAFF GAUGE: The data collected from this source to the
project is that it used to predict the intensity and frequency of flooding in
this case warning signals can be given when a flood is expected. In
addition the data also help in determining the quantity of water that can
be used in the canals. It also gives the lowest points of the volume of
water.
3.14. MODE OF OPERATION OF THESE FACILITIES THE WEATHER
STATION
Feasibility studies are done here. The sunshine recorder records the
sunshine.The thermometer is used in the measurement of temperature,
while the rain gauge is used in measuring the amount of rainfall. All
these (sunshine recorder, thermometer and rain gauge ) are put in
weather station, and the reading are done on daily bases.
3.15. THE STAFF GAUGE
The staff gauge is installed at the edge of a river. This depends on the
nature of the channels. It starts with the zero level gauge and as the
volume increase, also increase. It is measured in millimetre. The reading
is done three time a day at 7am, 12 noon and 6pm.

3.16. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING THESE STATIONS

The basic problem associated with managing these station is under
funding lack of funds has made it difficult in managing these stations
have deteriorated and as such result obtained from their readings are no
longer accurate. The consequence is that wrong predictions are made
which eventually affect the goal of the project.

4.1. THE COLONIAL TRADING POST (RICE MILL)

CONDITIONS FAVOURABLE FOR LOCATION

Navigability of river Katsina-ala: During the colonial trading post

was established in Katsina-ala
town, River Katsin-ala was still
navigatable by ship. Dams were not yet constructed in the section of river
Benue and Katsina-ala by neighbouring state and countries; therefore
the volume of water of the river was much enough to support
navigability.
The slave trade: During that time slave was still going on and
Katsina-ala was a good place for slave trade. This was because the river
was navigable and Katsina-ala town being a commercial centre people
came from Europe to buy slave transport them through the river to their
respective destination,
The meandering nature of river Katsina-ala also offered enough
production to the inhabitants against enemies. This enhance the
establishment of the trading post in Katsina-ala
4.2. CROPS INVOLVED IN THE TRANSACTION
The crops involved in the transaction were beniseed, soya beans,
groundnut, and fruits.

4.3. MODE OF OPERATION

Farms in Katsina-ala and other surrounding places such as Ukum,
Logo, Ushongo, Vandeikya and Konshisha, parts of Buruku and Gboko
local government area and other parts of neighbouring cross River and
lower Gongola (now Taraba) state brought their farm produce to Katsinaala for sale. Such compagnie fransies de LAfrique occidentale (CFAO) and
the united company of Africa bough this crops to either to consume
directly or to sarve as raw materias for the companies.

4.4. THE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF KATSINA-ALA TOWN

The colonial trading post played a very significant role in the development
of Katsian-ala town. It was a trading town of which the basic terms for
trade were farm produce.
The companies (Niger royal company, John Holt and so on) that bought
these farm produce built warehouses for storing these agricultural
product in katsina-ala before evacuating them to needed areas. Apart
from these building, the trading post attracted so many people to
Katsina-ala town who eventually settled in town, for example, the Hausa
people. The Hausa people occupy a substantial part of the Katsina-ala
town and they have equally developed the area. This is an attribute of the
Colonial trading post.
4.5. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE RELICS
The relics of the colonial trading post are still useful for the socioeconomic development of Katsina-ala town. The warehouses that were
build by the companies have been converted into rice milling industries.
These industries give income to Katsina-ala local government in form of
rent. It also provides employment to people such as porters who load rice
into vehicles at agreed price. Apart from that, operators of the engines
are also paid. In this manner, we can say that relics of colonial trading
post are helping in the eradication of unemployment in Katsina-ala local
government area.

5.1. URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN KATSINA-ALA

Katsina-ala town actually began as a spontaneous settlement.
However, its early designation as a divisional headquarters gave it a face
life in the early phase. The town is now well planned with good streets
layout in most parts including the Hausa Quarters where the town is
said to have began
Developing. This good layout streets and plots have offered a good intra
town accessibility and network of roads and streets. Main parts of the
town have emerged clearly in the patter of its growth.
Katsina-ala is the only place that is well planned in Benue state.
When the people of town planners came they demolished other place in
Benue state apart from Katsina-ala town. This type of planning is called
grid pattern, horizontal four rolls, and vertical two plots before a street.

DRAINAGE

A big drainage which connect all parts of the town is been channel water
to river Katsina-ala, this was constructed and commission by minister
for housing and environment. ARC Halima Tayo Alao on (14/07/2008)
In the old GRA some of the houses were built by the Colony, the
houses are still strong and the have turn it to private hands till to date;
while in new GRA it is a new layout but well planned and the design of
houses are the same there are street after two plots of lands.
5.2. POPULATION AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
According to the population census. Katsina-ala town has a
population of 23,801 persons comprising of 12,962 male and 10,839
females. The town has a heterogeneous urban population composition
made up of Tiv as the majority, Etulo, Hausa, Ibo Yoruba communities.
The Etulo resid mostly along the river bank as fishermen the Hausa are
a crop of dry season farmers most of whom were attracted by the
previous trading activities and Yoruba and Ibo businessmen.
The population is primarily engaged in agriculture, civil service,
Trading, transport business, fishing brick making and sand harvest
carpentry and farming such activities put together sustain the town.
5.3. TRADING AND COMMERCE
Katsina-ala town use to be nerve centre for colonial trading many
multination companies such as John Holt UAC etc were trading in
beniseed groundnut, and other products. Many trading store were
established to cater for these trading activities. Some of this store still
stands today. This was particularly important because water transport
was the most important means for achieving these trading activities.
Following the construction of Katsina-ala
bridge, the road transport became more available. Vehicles could now
travel hinterland to collect these goods. Moreover, with the continuous
damming of the upper of sections of River Benue and Katsina-ala by
neighbouring states and countries. The volume of water in channel
gradually declined below navigable limit

5.4. EDUCATION
Katsina-ala can best be described as cradle of education in Benue state.
The present Government model college, Katsinala-ala was established in
1976 at the creation of Benue state. The entire LGA as 13 primary
schools, 41
post-mary school( 28 government 13 communities/private). many of
these schools are located in katsina-ala town.

GENERAL HOSPITAL

5.5.HEALTH AND SOCIAL WEFARE

Katsina-ala town has a sound health delivery system that ranks
about the best. The headquarters has a General hospital, and many
other private hospitals. There are 32 clinics in the local government area
in addition to comprehensive health clinic.
Katsina-ala town is linked to electricity in addition to some
neighbouring
Town like Tor-Donga, Abaji, and Harga. However, electricity supply in the
town and environs can be greatly enhanced. The town enjoys water
supply from the Benue state water Board Area office in Katsina-ala.
5.6. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Following the construction of River Katsina-ala bridge, road

transport is the commonest form of transportation through which
Katsina-ala can be accessed. There is a network of roads traversing the
town. There is a federal highway from Ogoja to Wukari passing through
the town. The Katsina-ala Takum federal road adds to improved road
transportation in the area. Other feeder roads exist that can facilitate
easy rural urban linkage for evacuating farm produce and for tourism
practices.

5.7. COMMUNICATION
In communication, the international telephone exchange in Katsinaala is best in the state.
There is also a post office as well as mobile telephone services. Effective
transport and communication is what one requires to make business in
an area and Katsina-ala town offers it in this form.

5.8. AGRICULTURE
Katsina-ala is dominated by the Tiv who are mostly farmers. The town
is located in the fadama plains and and part of the upland areas along
Katsina-ala river. The topography and climate favours all years farming of
cash, commercial and food crops is commonly, practiced. How ever, this
is essentially in a traditional form due to the crude implements used.
REPORT ON METHODOLOGY
EXPLAIN THE MODE OF OPERATION ADVANTAGES AND
LIMITATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING DATA COLLECVTION METHODS:
GROUP SURVEY:
This is a method where student are divided into groups and assigned
specific areas to collect data.
During this field trip we were divided into groups of six members each.

The major advantage of this method is that it saves time, and it is

relatively more accurate. The limitation here is that there is always an
overlap of work that is, data was collected about other residences twice
by different people in the same group.
QUASTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION:
This method involves administering of questionnaire to respondents
and getting information from such respondents from the questionnaires.
The major advantage here is that it allows the respondents to express
their views. The limitations here are it does not permit the real motive of
the respondents to be known and there is a problem of language barriels
as some respondents do not understand English language.

OBSERVATION/RECORDING
This method involves watching of geographical features and recording
what you. Have seen. The advantages are that it provides first hand
information regarding the features studied, and the method is simple and
less time consuming. The limitations are that it can not be used to study
respondents views or attitudes directly.
Also, it can not provide
information or data with respect to frequency of behavior.
BRIEFING AND BRIEFS TAKING
Briefings are the lectures that are given by lecturers concerning
geographical features while on the field. Brief taking refer to the art of
writing down what is been lecture by the lecturer concerning the
geographical features while on the field. Such briefing and briefs taking
help to enrich ones knowledge. They also help one to have focus. The
limitations here are that it is time consuming. In addition, if the lecturers
concerned are lacking background knowledge of the area coverage, it may
lead to confusion.

COMMENT
ON
THE
GENERAL
ORGANIZATION
AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THIS FIELD WORK AND SUGGEST HOW IT
CAN BE IMPROVED IN SUBSQUENT TIMES
The organization and administration was good. How ever, there
were some few case of lapses that I would want to comment on. There
was no full participation by the lecturers that took us to field trip. One of
them even left after staying for only one day. It was only two lecturer that
were doing the explanation while the others isolated themselves. I wish to
suggest that all the lecturers taking part in a field trip should have one
or two things to explain to students. We believe that they are
representing different field of geography in addition, no lecturer should
dominate over the rest, he should bear in mind that by so doing he will
become more popular than the rest and students being what they will
conclude that he is better than the rest. Domination can create disunity
among the participating lecturers. A good example can be seen when we
went to Akata lake, the rest of them left the scene for another place. This
showed that they were no longer happy with him.
Furthermore, the fee for trip was very low; it should be
increase in subsequent times. Also, students were not properly given
accommodation. In subsequent time notice of visit should be made know
earlier to the surrounding school or particular school (not on the day of
arrival) so that students will not lock their hostels and student coming
for field trip can be accommodate in their hostels.
On a general note the field trip recorded a huge success and I
therefore give kudos to the organizers and I wish them to keep it up. It is
good for the image of our department.
Thank you.
REFERENCES:
Dike enwere,(1991) Economic Transformation in Nigerian, Growth
Accumulation and Technology .Zaria Ahmadu Bello University press
Ltd.

 Goh cheng Leong et al (1992) certificate physical and Human

Geography Ibadan. University press plc.
A field work manual 2013 physical and socio- economic survey of
Katsina-Ala
the
State

Town and environs, prepared by

Department of Geography, Benue
University Makurdi.