Okpala, Imo - Postal code - 460120 - Postal Codes & Zip Codes List

Imo State Description

Imo state is one of the 36 States in Nigeria and is in the south east region of Nigeria in Africa. The capital of imo state is Owerri  and among the largest towns in the state. In Imo state other notable towns are Orlu, Obowo, Oguta, Mbaise and Okigwe located in the south-eastern region of Nigeria, imo state occupies the area between the lower River Niger and the upper and middle Imo River.

Imo State is covered by Abia State on the East, River Niger and Delta State to the West, Anambra State on the North and Rivers State to the South. 

Economy

The economy of the state depends mainly on agriculture and business. One of the most agricultural production in imo state is the production of palm oil .  

Rivers and lakes

The Orashi River has its wellspring in Imo State (named after a powerful Nigerian family with the family name Imo). Imo River, being the main river in the state, drains through Abia State, where it is linked with Aba River from the north, and Akwa Ibom State into the Atlantic Ocean.  There are other rivers and a narrow river in the state including Onas narrow river in Ohaji/Egbema, Okitankwo River in Umudi, Oramurukwa River in Emekuku/Emii/Ulakwo and Ohia and Efuru Rivers in Okigwe.

Natural resources

There are lots of natural resources in Imo state including crude oil, natural gas, lead, Calcium Carbonate and zinc. In Imo state there are profitable flora including iroko, mahogany, obeche, bamboo, rubber tree and oil palm,including white clay, fine sand and limestone.

Oil and gas exploration

In Imo state there are over 163 oil wells at over 12 different locations. In Imo state the main petroleum operating companies are Addax Petroleum, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell and Agip.   In Imo state Some of the established oil-rich local government councils include Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Iho, Oru West, Obowo and Ngor Okpala.

Investment opportunities

In Imo state many investment opportunities exist including oil and gas exploration, chemical plants, brewery plants, hydroelectric plants, gas-fired power plants, grain mills, starch production, cashews, fruit and vegetable juice concentrate production, integrated multi-oil seed processing plants, ceramics, inland waterway transport, and palm produce industry. Independent global brewer Heineken, through its subsidiary Nigerian Breweries, has significant investment in Imo State. The company control the world-class Awo-omamma Brewery, a multiple-line plant. Many more oil and gas opportunities are yet to be developed. The federal government has been called to supervise newly discovered oil-rich areas which might help foster economic development and job creation. Industrial parks and processing zones to harness the huge agricultural produce and minerals would give a major boost to the state's economic growth and industrialization.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary occupation, but due to over-farming and high population density, the soil has greatly degraded.

Climate

In Imo state the rainy season begins in April and lasts until October with annual rainfall varying from 1,500mm to 2,200mm (60 to 80 inches). An average annual temperature above 20 °C (68.0 °F) creates an annual relative humidity of 75%, with humidity reaching 90% in the rainy season.  Dry season experiences two months of Harmattan from late December to late February in Imo state. The hottest months in  Imo state  are between January and March including high population density and over farming, the soil has been degraded and much of the native vegetation has disappeared. The cutting of trees has triggered soil erosion which is compounded by heavy seasonal rainfall that has led to the destruction of houses and roads.

Palm oil production

One main source of revenue for Imo State Government is from palm oil production contributed by both large scale and small scale production.

History

 In 1976  Imo state came into existence with other new states created under the tenure of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been previously part of East-Central State. Imo state was named after the Imo River which bears the name of a prominent Nigerian family with that family name, who were the chiefs of Imo State before the ratification of a more formal government. Part of it was split off in 1991 as Abia State, and another became Ebonyi State. Imo state was formed at Ngwoma and the meetings for the state creation which began after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970 were chaired by Eze S. E. Onukogu.

Government

The state has a three-tier managerial structure: State, Local and Autonomous community levels. In Imo state the three arms at state level are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. The executive arm is managed by an elected Governor who is assisted by a deputy governor, commissioners and executive advisers.