Activities in Warri were divided into two parts: Data sampling in
Warri metropolis; and the Mangrove swamps in Delta and Bayelsa
states. These swamps were grouped into Northern and Southern
segments.
Warri Metropolis
The objective of the trip around Warri metropolis was to
collect sampling data for “Exposed Land/Urban areas” LU/LC
category. Warri is made up of the following major ethnic groups :
Itsekiris, Uhrobos and the Ijaws.
Northern Swamp
We commenced the trip in the Northern swamp from Miller water side
in Warri and moved through the old Nigeria Ports Authority’s harbor
into Warri River. From Warri River we entered Batan Creek enroute
to Batan community. The high mangrove species (Rhizophora
Mangle) dominated the Batan creek. They are extensive with heights
of up to 30m. Some of them were observed dead and the cause of their
death could not be easily ascertained as at the time of visit. From
Batan, the crew moved to Odidi through Shell
Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Odidi-1 flow station. The
low mangrove vegetation species (Rhizophora Racemosa) were
sited on the high plains of the River banks enroute to Odidi
community and were between half a meter to 5 meter high above the
ground level. From Odidi community we traveled through Escravos
River (where Chevron base and facilities are located) to
Jones creek, Nana creek, back to Escravos River, Sagarah Community,
and Otumara River. Many non- mangrove plant species were
identified along the Rivers traversed and their locations were
recorded using the GPS unit. Most of the communities were
predominantly into subsistence fishing.
Southern
Swamp
We commenced our trip in the southern swamp from the Miller water
side and moved through the following routes: Warri River, Burutu
pipeline route, Burutu River, Ramos River and Snake creek. From
Snake creek we traveled through SPDC’s Ogbotobo
flow station,
Dodo River, Letugbene community, Tunu
flowstation,
back to Dodo River, Letugbene community and then to Peretugbene community. We then proceeded to Ojobo community, Ndoro
community, Ramos River, Burutu River, Warri River and then back to
Miller water side. The High mangrove species (Rhizophora Mangle)
were sited along the following creeks and Rivers: Burutu River,
Ramos River, Brass creek, Dodo River towards Tunu, and Brass. The
low mangrove vegetation were seen enroute to Opukrushi oil field
along Brass creek. The non-mangrove vegetation were found opposite
the high mangroves along the Burutu River. Some were also found
along snake creek after SPDC Ogbotobo oil field, Brass creek within
SPDC Benisede oil field and Bomadi River towards Ndoro community.
