Exploring the relationship between infrastructural development and socioeconomic well-being in rural areas: Evidence from Bakassi, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The relationship between infrastructural development and the socioeconomic well-being raises interest in rural areas. It specifically examines the relationship between road construction, potable water supply, and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study design is cross-sectional, using quantitative and qualitative data from 420 rural respondents, with a multi-stage sampling technique. The descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency tables, and Chi square was used to test the significance of the relationship between variables. All the respondents agreed that there is a significant relationship between road construction (68.8%), potable water supply (41.0%) and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between infrastructural development and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers. Thus, since the construction of roads has become a viable approach to establishing other sectors of the economy, governments at all levels should be largely involved in the provision of good and durable roads and the rehabilitation of old ones, especially in linking villages, towns, and communities to strengthen economic activities.JEL Classification I30; Q25; R00