Analysis of Emerging Economic Incentives for Fisher Folks from Dredging of the Niger River in Niger State, Nigeria

This study examined the socio-economic impact of the Lower Niger dredging vis-à-vis the anticipated socio-economic incentives on the fisher folks’ community in Baro, Niger state Nigeria. A simple random technique was used to select 60 fisherfolks using a well-structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result indicated a net increase of N2, 965.00 (USD 18.53) per month in the gross margin of the fisher folk and a marginal increase of N174.96 (USD 1.08) per after the dredging activities. This could be due to the increase in socio-economic livelihood activities brought about by enhanced accessibility of the community and more robust inland water way transportation. Conversely, it was discovered that some fish species no longer exist after dredging and 43.3% of the fisher folks spent above 10 hours per day to make a substantial catch after dredging compared with 13.3% of the same fishing time before dredging. It was however concluded that, although, the dredging project include both positive and negative impacts, the negative impacts are short-term and could be minimized if appropriate mitigation measures such as erosion and turbidity control, provision of water shed where fish nurseries would be raised, provision of adequate fishing gears and training on new fishing techniques as well as value additions to fish product are put in place.