Settlement Restructuring for Enhanced Socio-Economic Development in Ushongo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined settlement restructuring for enhanced socio-economic development in Ushongo L.G.A., Benue State, Nigeria. The study was focused on the relationship between settlement size and infrastructure availability; the impacts of settlement size on service availability; factors responsible for the prevailing settlement pattern in the study area; and how the settlement pattern has impacted on the development of Ushongo L.G.A. The methods adopted for the collection of data was the questionnaire, direct field observation as well as inventory taking. Results obtained from the field were presented using descriptive statistics in the form of simple percentages as well as graphs. Nearest Neighbour Analysis was also computed to determine the extent of settlement dispersal in the study area. Result obtained showed that a disperse settlement pattern prevailed in the study area. The result further revealed that settlement size has a positive significant relationship with the available services in the selected settlement in Ushongo L.G.A. A nearly perfect correlation coefficient was obtained and found to be significant at a confidence level of 0.05. Findings also revealed that 36.6% of the respondents opined that government neglect as well as the absence of communal living (34.7%) were the major reasons for the slow rate of socio-economic development in the study area. The study recommended approaches to restructuring settlements aimed at promoting both population concentration and a hierarchical organisation of functions within specific chosen areas. The study therefore, concluded that, determined that there is a substantial relationship between development and, focal living. Consequently, the study recommended that people in Ushongo L.G.A should be encouraged to settle in large concentrations so as to meet the required service threshold needed to provide infrastructure for a better day-to-day life of the people in the study area.