EFFECTS OF ROAD CONNECTIVITY ON MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN ETSAKO WEST L.G.A, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Transportation, markets, communication and basic public amenities are indispensable in the functioning of societies. These are regarded as tool that ignites and sustains the development of any given community if such a place is to live above subsistent level. For there to be effective interactions between these components of any society, road interconnections must be of remarkable presence. More than 74% of rural inhabitants in developing countries of Africa, Nigeria inclusive, are agriculturally based productive. In most cases, they sell at least half their produce to the public for means of earning for other purpose. This study examines road connectivity of settlements in Etsako west LGAs with a view to determine the linkage between connectivity and market development. With household heads as research population, a sample frame of 1,315 households from 20 settlements was randomly selected based on the homogeneity of the study area. From this, 25% of the frame was sampled; thus giving a sample size of 328 respondents. Using a systematic sampling technique, 1 out of every 4 houses was sampled; thus applying random and systematic sampling techniques for the study. The research concluded that the study area is naturally endowed with market potentials (agricultural produce), that there was only one major market for the entire Etsako West LGA which is the "Jattu" market among others. This research therefore recommends creation of good road connectivity among settlements, establishment of viable markets within relative distances, development of socio-economic infrastructures and the need for critical review of road classification, ownership and maintenance policies in other to reverse the trend.