Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine how donor communities fare socio-economically resulting from the effects of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 400 heads of households were drawn from the sampleddonor communities of Ntak Inyang, Odoro Nkit, Edor, Uquo, Ibaka, Mkpanak, Akpautong and Afaha Ekpenedi in the three local government areas of Mbo, Ibeno and Esit Eket. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses from each of the household heads. Forest officers who are the managers of the reserve were interviewed one on one to know what provisions the reserve has for the people. Using Index Numbers to analyse the data collected, the overall mean Relative Effect Indices (REIs) of strategies adopted by communities to reduce the negative effects of forest reserve were all positive and they range from 2.28 in Ibaka and Uquo to 3.14 in Afaha Ekpenedi and Edor. The analysis also revealed that petty trading made the highest positive effect ranging from 3.7 to 4.1 REIs in the communities, while tourists activities have the least effect ranging from 1.9 to 2.3. Based on the findings, it is recommended that government at various levels should address the neglected socio-economic services to the people in the study area in exchange for the forestland taken away from the people in order to reduce their level of poverty and improve their standard of living.

Key Words: Stubb Creek, Forest, Reserve, Donor, Communities

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v12i1.8