EFFECTS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN UZAIRUE REGION OF EDO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Infrastructures play a crucial role in the socio-economic development which support rural dwellers in their production, distribution and consumption activities as well as introducing total development of rural life. This study investigated the provision of rural infrastructures in Uzairue region. It came up with the determination of the effects of rural infrastructure in the reduction of poverty by comparing the level of income of rural dwellers in the region where there were identified rural infrastructure with those villages without the rural infrastructure. It also examined the level of government and community participation in the provision of infrastructure in the region. To examine the effects of infrastructural development on poverty alleviation, structured questionnaire was administered to 576 respondents across the 19 villages in Uzairue region. The sample size of0.5% of the total population of Uzairue Communities which is 115,137 persons was used. Systematic Random Sampling Techniques was used to elicit information on the socioeconomic life style of the respondents from household heads in every sixth houses across the 19 villages. Information was also obtained from the Etsako Local Government Council, Community chiefs, Town Planning Office and Ministry of Housing and Community Development Organization at Auchi. The result from the questionnaire analysis revealed that most of the villagers live in poor condition. Good health facilities are not available in 17 villages, the roads are not tarred, most development effort that have been carried out were done by community efforts. Comparison on income level of respondents between 2008 and 2013 revealed positive effects of provision of infrastructural development on alleviating poverty in the region. There is annual decrease of 5.3% in income level. On this basis, the low income level is still high, recommendations were proffered to enhance the rural infrastructure in reduction of poverty in Uzairue Region. Among them are: encouragement of Self Help programmes assistance from cooperative societies, initiation of policies and programmes such as village regrouping in the region and assistance through funding from Federal Government to the Local Government.