CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
This research work titled Gokana/Tai relations since 1960-2015 is limited is focused on the relationship between both communities and its neighbouring communities as well as well.
According to Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary. Relationship can be define to be the way in which two people, groups, or countries behave towards each
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Findings have shown that inter communal conflict has continued to orchestrate a state of insecurity leading to the destruction of lives and properties. In the context of this research, both communities have lost enormous properties and lives. The atmosphere of insecurity have made it difficult for development to take place, as no investor will want to invest in an area in which his investment is not secured.
Land and boundary related conflict have generated insecurity, destruction of lives and properties. It is therefore important to carry out third research, with the aim of finding the causal factors, intervention, efforts, peace negotiation and resolution.
Inter communal conflict has truncated efforts towards sustainable development and has foster disintegrated. Apart from some notions issues that precipitated communal crisis such as land, water and other resources, politics has been another contributing factor. It is therefore imperative of finding ways of enhancing coexisting and utilization of natural resources for the benefit of all and to foster good communal living in a symbiosis manner.
1.3 Objective of Study
Why the various communities went into conflict with one another, particularly the Gokana and the Tai. The study is aimed at finding pit why Gokana and Tai, who were close neighbours, with similar socialization and culture, went into serious conflict during the precolonial, colonial and past colonial era.
The study will also examine the various communities in the eastern Niger Delta which went into conflict with any of the rival communities of Gokana and Tai, and the role European merchants and the British consults played in the discrepancies that occurred between Gokana and Tai during the colonial era. The mode of mediation that was applied to restore peace in the eastern Niger Delta before full colonial rule will be examined. The study also reveals that fishing and farming which are the two predominant occupation and the basis of sustenance in the Niger Delta provided some form of conflict between Gokana and Tai, due to boundary adjustment and fishing rights and settlement in the eastern Niger Delta.
1.4 Scope of the Study
The study covers inter-communal conflict and the alliance system in the Niger Delta region, the Gokana-Tai relations and the rivalry of Gokana with other communities in the eastern Niger Delta region.
1.5 Significance of study The study of Gokana/tai relations is significance in many ways, one of the significance of Gokana/Tai relation is in the area of cultural diffusion, by this most of the works of art were copied from one community to the other, by having similar culture there is always, peace, coexistence. Secondly, in the area of security, the relationship that exists between Gokana/Tai promote security in the both communities, example the Gokana people had war with the Andoni people, the Gokana people were able to conquered the war with the help of Tai people who took Gokana as their blood based on the established mutual relationship between them. Also, of great significance is in the area of their predominant occupation, as a people both Gokana/Tai predominant occupation is fishing and farming. The Tai people based mainly on farm while the Gokana mainly on fishing both in commercial quantities. The Tai people has serve as a major source of food supply to the Gokana people. The Gokana farm lands is not fertile and productive as a result of oil spillage on the farm lands resulted to the activities of oil producing companies and pipeline vandalism.2 Till date, the Gokana people mostly depends on the food produced by the Tai people.