Abstract

This work titled the Socio-economic impacts of the Tiko Wharf 1961 to present analysis the evolution and impact of the port in this area.

The study focuses on the impact of the Tiko Wharf, how it brought changes and development to the people of Tiko Municipality. This study has made use of historical method of inquiries. The bulk of the information is based on primary sources principally oral interview since much has not been written in this area. Information would be based on data collection from public works on this study.

This study maintains that Tiko wharf has brought development to the Tiko community and the people at large since 1960. Its growth has been attributed to the interest shown by the colonial masters (Germans) government of Cameroon in the creation of vital stations such as the custom office in Tiko and the toll gate for revenue collection.

A lot of student would love to write about this but since there is little information they turn to run away from it but it was of interest to have gone right down to the routes to pick out information to write about this work though I faced series of problems. I recommend that the government should see into the problems faced by port authorities in Tiko like poor transport net work and poor infrastructure.

Background of study

The study analysis contributions of the Tiko wharf to the socio economic development of Tiko. The Tiko wharf or port was created or constructed by the Germans during their reign in Cameroon. It was created in the 1930s. The wharf was created to ease transportation among people and the work was mainly done by the indigents of Cameroon who was used as laborers to work at the site The main aim of the wharf was to the easy evacuation of raw materials from Cameroon to Germany and after Europeans Countries who has commercial dealing with Germany during this period.

But by the end of the second World War Britain and France defeated Germany and occupied Cameroon. The British took 1/5 of Cameroon while the French took 4/5. Britain and France ruled their various territories under the league of Nation mandate and later under the United Nations Trusteeship until 1960 when most Africa countries were agitating for independence.

The Tiko wharf or port was abandoned with that of Limbe infavor to those of Douala and Kribi where huge sums of money was used for construction. When the Tiko wharf was abandoned, it was only used by the Equatorial Guinea traders to export sand and food stuff to their country. It only became functional with the coming of “Achouka” in 2006 which was used in the transportation of passengers from Nigeria to Cameroon and From Cameroon to Nigeria. Other ships left south Africa to come to drop goods since Tiko is noted for trading.

There is also the “Nadine Sea Express” owned by a famous international law practioner named Mr. Bill Egbe. All this help to bring development and employment opportunities to the Tiko people. It is in this line that we shall focus on the contributions of the Tiko wharf to the socio-economic development of Tiko since 1961 to present.

Statement of Problem

Although this activity of the Tiko wharf went on for a very long time after independence, very little historical studies were carried out to examine the causes and consequences why ports or wharf were abandoned by the Cameroon government. It is for this reason that the researcher decided to use Tiko as a case study to explain the historical evolution of this marginalization by the Cameroon government.

Objective of the Study

The objective of this study is to look at the socio-economic impact of the Tiko wharf to the development of Tiko by emphasizing on its evolution and impact. This study would be focused on the contributions of Tiko wharf and the changes that the wharf brought to the population of Tiko as a whole.

Significant of the Study

The significant of this study lies on the fact that it brought to light the nature, the evolution of the sea port and it impact on the socio economic development of Tiko Municipality by looking on the well being of the population. This study can also be of great significance to the government as the study is going to raise some of the problems the wharf faced and how the government may tackle some of these problems. The study would also raise some pertinent issues that may be of help to the port. Export which may go a long way to boast research in Cameroon. This study is also significant to the public it brings into lime light how port activities impacted on the population since 1961-2015.

Literature Review

There is little information on the history of Tiko from 1961 to present. This however not a stumbling block to this study as information on sea port formation sources else where have been made available. The first relevant information is that Njabe Rollan Nkwelle human and economic geography for Cameroon. This book treats the various parches in Cameroon by bringing out its impact and evolution in the country. This wort provided pertinent information for the study.

Walter Rodney’s book how Europe under developed Africa is one of the most essential available literature as it talks on how colonialism destroyed rather than build Africa. It is seen that the road, rail way, sea port were constructed for their own commercial purposes then for the interest of the people. Walter Rodney’s work focus on general port activities in Africa, this study focuses on the Tiko wharf.

Also Victor Julius Ngoh’s history of Cameroon since 1800 briefly examines the origin of sea ports in Cameroon while his work traces the origin and significance of sea port activities to the European , this study examine the impacts of the Tiko wharf to the population.

There is also the History of Tiko by Shandie Shing which treats the early inhabitants of Tiko. This by to tell us about the real owners of Tiko but however our study still focuses on the impact of the Tiko port to the population.

Furthermore, we have the Cameroon history in the 19th and 20th century by Tazifor and Tabi James.1

Method and Sources

This study is going to make use of the historical method of inquiry as a bulk of the interview since there is very little written document on Tiko wharf. Information would also be based from data collected from published work on this study where similar studies have been carried out in the passed.

Scope and Delimitation

This area is found in the South West Region of Cameroon, and it’s a sub-division. Tiko is a plain land that suits many activities such as farming and extensive cultivation of cash and food crops. The delimitation of the study spans from 1961-2015. 1961 marked the beginning when British got her independence and reunified with French Cameroon.

Organization of work

This study is divided into three main chapters. The geo-historical background of Tiko constitute chapter one. This is to introduce and locate the area under study to the reader. It constitute aspects like relief, vegetation, climate and historical background of Tiko. Chapter two examine how shipping was practiced during the pre-colonial period and during the colonial period. It also focused on measures taken by the Cameroon Government to improve port from 1961-2015. Chapter three dwells on shipping practices in Tiko bu looking at the types its evolution as well as problems faced in the sea port of Tiko. Chapter four treats the impact of the Tiko Wharf to the population.

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