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Democracy in Nigeria and of course in Akwa Ibom State has created lopsided development and thereby widened the gap of inequality in the State. Democracy is a political and constitutional arrangement in which the values of economic development and social welfare of the citizens can grow and be sustained. Inspite of the great potentials in agricultural, mineral and human resources in the state, development has remained uneven. The coastal communities like other rural areas in the mainland, are grossly underdeveloped, despite harbouring the wealth of the state, particularly, petroleum oil and gas. The coastal areas of the state are replete with poor or absence of basic infrastructure, poverty, unemployment high-crime rate, and youth restiveness. The article concludes that democracy in the state rather than foster a sustained development, has created uneven and uncordinated development especially in the coastal areas. That only adequate provision of social infrastructures with sustainable development programme can secure the future of the people both in the hinterland as well as in the coastal communities.

The paper explores the impact of industrial fishing on the Obolo (Andoni) people. The Obolo people sometime called Andoni are among the various ethnic groups found in the Niger Delta region precisely, the Eastern Niger Delta. Presently the Obolo speaking people are found in two local government areas, namely; Andoni local government, administered by the Rivers State government, while the Eastern Obolo Local Government is in Akwa Ibom State. Traditionally, fishing is the main occupation of the people. Other occupations of the people include, commerce, farming and marine transportation. The Obolo people are artisanal fishermen and women who engaged in fishing in the creeks, rivers and later in the open sea (Atlantic Ocean). The emergent of industrial or mechanized fishing which probably began in Nigeria in the 1950s has led to an increase in both Nigerian and foreign fishing trawler vessels; which ultimately led to what is described in fishery as “by-catch” and “discard”. Ukpatu (2012:3) defines the “by-catch” as anything the fishermen does not intend to catch namely; sea turtle, fish, crabs, shrimps, sharks, weed and sea debris; while “discard referred to the sub-set of the by-catch or portion of the catch that is thrown over into the sea, Andoni Forum, USA (2004:1). The by-catch is a new trend in fishing among the Obolo in particular and the coastal communities in general. The new trend is described in Obolo language as “Kpokpoben” meaning “don’t select” or “just carry” or “trawler”. The Kpokpoben provides employment, food, boast economic activities of the people of the coastal communities. In spite of what seem to be the advantages, its adverse effects include, depletion in natural fish stock, damage to fishing gears, loss of lives and property. Other adverse effects are increase in sea piracy and water pollution. The study recommends among others, the review / overhaul of the fishery laws in Nigeria, equipping the Nigerian Navy with modern security gadgets and mounting an enlightenment campaign in English and Local languages to create an awareness on the adverse effects of the kpokpoben on the Andoni environment