Bakassi

Bakassi is a local government area in the Cross rivers state of Southsouth Nigeria. The LGA shares boundary with the Republic of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Bight of Bonny, and the Akpabuyo local government area. The LGA is home to a number of ethnic divisions which include the Efik, the Effiat, and the Oron. The Efik and Oron languages are among the commonly spoken in the area with Christianity and traditional religion are the widely practiced religions in the area. The population of Bakassi LGA is estimated at 106,771 inhabitants.

GEOGRAPHY OF BAKASSI

Bakassi local government area falls within the Gulf of Guinea and consists of several low-lying Islands. The area consists of the Bakassi peninsula and the Bakassi deep sea port. Bakassi LGA covers a total area of 665 square kilometres with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees centigrade. The humidity level of Bakassi LGA is pegged at 94 percent while ind speed in the area averages 12km/h.

ECONOMY OF BAKASSI

Bakassi local government area is rich in reserves of crude oil and natural gas with the activities of several oil firms within the area contributing the most to the economy of the LGA. The area also has a seaport and has fishing as a major economic enterprise in the area. The several rivers and water bodies that constitute the area are also very rich in Aquatic foods such as shrimps, crayfish, and oysters. 

HISTORY OF BAKASSI

Bakassi LGA was created from the Akpabuyo local government area in December 1996. In November 2007, the Bakassi peninsula was ceded to the Republic of Cameroon by the International Court of Justice. The oil-rich Island was formally handed over to the Cameroon Republic by Nigeria in August 2008.