Infrastructural Facilities Development And Urban Decay In Owo City

Abstract

This paper examined the decay of urban infrastructure with particular reference to Owo city in Ondo State, Nigeria. The methodology applied depends on survey of questionnaires with the use of systematic random sampling of one in every five houses in Ehinogbe, Ijebu, Iselu and Otutu with fifty (50) questionnaires assigned to each area and the total questionnaires distributed were two hundreds (200). Other methods used were interview and observation. The data collected revealed that there was an upsurge in population which had a multiplier effects on some factors that caused the absurdity that resulted to urban decay of infrastructure in Owo. The tenancy rate of majority of the houses was high and most of them were built with mud more than sixty years ago. Pit latrines became the dominating toilets in houses and well water was the main source of water which was not safe for drinking as it contained contaminants. There was frequent out- break of electricity and waste collection was rarely practised while open and incinerator burning that caused pollution became a common phenomenon. It was recommended that one of the methods to tackle decay could be through periodic population statistics for infrastructure planning and development while dug wells should be well-treated, inspected and supervised by government agencies. The paper concluded that if urban cities are well-coordinated with vibrant law, define policies and prudent administrators, infrastructure development would be sustained. Key Words: Infrastructure, urban, city Development, decay, population.