Orashi River: Difference between revisions

Orashi River, Nigeria
Native name	Urashi, Ulasi Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help)
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Dikenafai, Imo State.[1]
• elevation	183 m
Length	205 km (127 mi)
Basin features
River system	Niger River
Tributaries
• left	Okposi, Engenni
• right	Bonima, Ubu
Waterbodies	Oguta Lake

Orashi River (also Urashi or Ulasi),^[1] is a river of the lower Niger River basin, and a tributary of Oguta Lake, southeastern Nigeria.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Orashi takes off, 183 m above mean sea level, from the rocks in Ezeama community of Dikenafai, Imo State.^[1][6][7][5] Described as a lifeline to Ideato South communities, Orashi stream serves as an all purpose river for drinking, washing and many others to communities such as Umulewe, Umuchima and Ntueke in the area.^[8]

Orashi River takes off as a stream, from the rocks, at the base of a waterfall,^[9] 183 m above mean sea level, in the Urashi enclave of Ezeama in Dikenafai, Imo State.^{[9] [5] [10]}

The entrance to the waterfall was around the corner from Ezeama, the Water God's altar. "It was a narrow, unassuming pathway cut into the thicket of the forest. From the pathway, one could hear the steady rush of water growing louder as one drew near. A gentle mist hung in the air; a sweet combination of salty rainwater mixed with the smell of fresh wet earth. The pathway, which was less than a quarter of a mile long, soon gave way to a clear opening and there suddenly the waterfall appeared, a breathtaking view, like a huge strike of lightening on a bright summer day", described Nema Obih.^[9]

From Dikenafai, Orashi flows through several towns, including Urualla, Akokwa, Okija, Osu, Ukpor, Ihiala, Uli, Oguta, Mgbidi, Omoku, Obiakpo, Ebocha, Ukodu, Okarki and Mbiama.^[1][6] The river forms tributaries along its flow, from Imo through Anambra to Rivers, before empting onto the Altlantic.^[1][6][7] It splits into two at Egbema. The larger portion (right), continued the flow through Eluku before spliting further into two and emptying its waters and sediments at Edi Kalama (Degema) and Abonnema into the gulf of Biafra.^[7]

Orashi region is in the rainforest zone, southeastern Nigeria.^[1] Crop cultivation, Oil Palm and fishing are the major occupation of the people and source of livelihood.^[4]: 3 The zone may be termed an ‘oil palm bush.’^[1] The forest zone is characterized by abundance of plant species, sometimes exceeding 150 different species per hectare. From its source down to the Atlantic, the river supports several fishermen and provides means of liveli-hood for their families.^[1] Orashi Region, which includes Njaba River basin, has over 35% of the oil wells in the Niger Delta states of Imo and Rivers.^{[4]: 3 [11]}

Orashi river as an ancient trade and cultural route, has provided means of transportation and migration for indigenous communities who moved from one town to another by canoe, for economic purposes or to convey farm produce on market days.^[1] To improve inland waterways in Nigeria, the Federal Government approved the ^[12] dredging of the Orashi River from Oguta Lake in Imo State to Degema in Rivers State.^[13] The project which was awarded to Simidia S and I International Company in May 2012 was to be completed in 12 months. The 205 kilometers river was expected to be dredged with a bed width of 40 meters, top width of 70 meters and depth below dredging chart datum of 1.5 meters.^[14]