American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2016 American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) e-ISSN: 2320-0847 p-ISSN : 2320-0936 Volume-5, Issue-5, pp-148-154 www.ajer.org Research Paper Open Access www.ajer.org Page 148 Riverfront Utilization in Makurdi, Benue State Ajene Adam Ajene 1 , Peace Ori Ogorry 2 1 (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Benue State University, Nigeria) 2 (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Benue State University, Nigeria) ABSTRACT: Makurdi river front in Benue State is characterized with a lot of uncoordinated uses; these includes activities like farming, sand and gravel mining, fishing activities and also block industries. A sample of 498 respondents in Makurdi town; comprising of 333 residents along the river front, and 165 respondents in other parts of the town were randomly selected. Using field observation, questionnaires and secondary data, the study has determined the use of Makurdi river front, the attitude of the people to the river front, the alternative uses for Makurdi river front and the existing policy on river front development. The hampered the use of the river front as part of liveable urban environments. The near absence of government policy or continuity of a policy agenda is also a contributory factor. The study concludes that the riverfront is contributing to personal incomes but not to the economic development of Makurdi town and the state at large. The study recommends that some existing activities (farming and fishing) should be incorporated with alternatives uses result reveals that alternative uses could be incorporated into the Makurdi riverfront. But the perception of the people which has affected their attitude to the river front has such as open parklands, resorts, hotels, leisure attraction and sporting activity. There should also be a policy on the development of the riverfront which should be based on a bottom – up approach for sustainability, as riverfront development is a long-term project/process. Keywords: Makurdi town, Public perception, Riverfront, Waterfront, Waterfront development I. INTRODUCTION Rivers have long been recognized as one of humanity’s most important natural resources. They make huge contribution to human welfare and appear to be limitless sources of food, transportation, recreation, social, and economic benefit. Many coastal and riverine settlements owe their origin and prosperity to water transport and trade. Public perception of river front development has led to the attitude/ utilization patterns, and subsequently redevelopment of the riverfronts as observed in cities worldwide. Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Mozambique have taken advantage of their water fronts and changed them from industrial ports to urban liveable environments. Nigeria has many cities that lie along Rivers and coastal areas. Notable among them is Makurdi located along River Benue. This port area also grew and witnessed the blight, as a result of better road and railway transport from 1900, containerization shipping, and the effect of crude oil production coupled with industrial and technological advancement. Instead of physical developments expected, the role of the riverfront in Makurdi seems to have been limited to activities such as fishing, farming, irrigation, as a source of water supply, sand and gravel harvesting, canoe transportation, and a place to dump refuse. How the river front is utilized is a function of how it is perceived. The amount of knowledge or foresight of the potential of the riverfront as an important resource and means to physical and socio-economic growth may also be a determinant of the extent of utilization of the river front. In this regard, questions to answer are thus; How do people perceive the riverfront; and are these the best possible ways to use the Makurdi river front? If not what other possible activities can be reintroduced into the area to make it a more desirable and economically viable riverfront. This research therefore sets out to investigate how people view the Makurdi river front. 1.1 Study Area Makurdi, the state capital of Benue State is located at the intersection of latitude 7 0 43”N and longitude 8 0 32”E, east-central Nigeria, started on the south bank of the Benue River (Fig 1). Founded about 1927 when the railroad from Port Harcourt (279 miles [449 km] south-southwest) was extended to Jos and Kaduna, Makurdi rapidly developed into a transportation and market centre. Administrative and planning purposes have delineated the boundary of greater Makurdi at 16 km radius (Figure