Analysis of Access to Social Infrastructure in Rural Imo State, Nigeria

Ikenna Osumgborogwu

doi:10.9734/jgeesi/2016/27675

Abstract

Yearly, the federal and various state governments allocate stated amounts of money in their annual budget to capital projects. Most of these projects involve renovation or development of new infrastructural facilities. Availability of infrastructure in contrast to accessibility is often addressed in academic discourse, but one pertinent question remains, what is the use of an available social infrastructure if it cannot be accessed? This paper aims at analysing access to social infrastructure in contrast to availability in rural areas of Imo State, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey method and oral interviews were used to collect data on identified indices of accessibility to social infrastructure, income/affordability. Three variables of social infrastructure were used in this study; health care facilities, schools and leisure centres. Linear regression model of data analysis was used to analyse the relationship between access to social infrastructure and income level of respondents. The result shows a strong positive relationship between income and access to social infrastructure. This indicates that an increase in income brings about a commensurate increase in accessibility to social infrastructure.

Highlights

Infrastructure generally refers to those basic and primary services and systems required in the process of development whose availability and accessibility bring positive effects in the lives of citizens
Three variables of social infrastructure were used in this study, they include health care facilities, schools and leisure centres
In Equation 1, the income level of respondents is given as the dependent variable, Y, while the independent variables are represented as X

Summary

Introduction

Infrastructure generally refers to those basic and primary services and systems required in the process of development whose availability and accessibility bring positive effects in the lives of citizens. Different authors define infrastructure to fit properly with the aim of the research involved. Infrastructure is defined as the stock of capital that supports transportation, communications and basic services such as water and power supplies [1]. In Nigeria, the rural areas show obvious signs of neglect in the provision of infrastructure, and this could be as a result of remoteness or low population density [1] or sheer negligence on the part of government. This attitude is often implicated in the rural-urban migration syndrome witnessed in Nigeria today. It has been observed by researchers that while it is possible that private individuals could own infrastructure, they are licensed by public authorities [4]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion