The Forgotten Waterways That Once Powered Trade in Eastern Nigeria
The Forgotten Waterways That Once Powered Trade in Eastern Nigeria There was a time when the rivers of Eastern Nigeria were more than beautiful stretches of water winding through forests, communities and farmlands. They were highways of commerce . Before modern roads connected towns and cities, before trucks became the dominant carriers of goods, waterways provided some of the most important routes for moving people, agricultural produce, palm oil, timber, fish and other commodities across the region. Today, many of those waterways remain largely invisible in the story of Nigeria's economic development. Some have become narrower, polluted or neglected. Others are still busy with local fishing and transportation but have lost the commercial importance they once enjoyed. Yet beneath the quiet surface of these rivers lies a fascinating story—a story of trade, enterprise, migration and community life . When Rivers Were Highways Eastern Nigeria is blessed with an extensive network of ...