Abstract:
The study was carried out in Makurdi local government area of Benue state Nigeria to assessed
the perceived socio-economic spill-over effects of transit rural roads development on rural farm
households in Makurdi LGA in Benue state Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research
design. This was in the form of a cross sectional survey design. A multistage sampling
techniques was employed to elicit respondents for the study. Questionnaire distribution and
interview schedule were used as source of data collection from 120 rural farm household’s. The
data collected were analysed using 4-point Likert scale, 3point Likert, table, means, percentages,
frequency distribution and chi-square. The result of socio-economic characteristic revealed that,
majority of rural farm households 78(65%) were male, 48(40%) of rural farm households were
within the age brackets of 36-46years, 83(69.2%) rural farm households were married, and
52(43.3%) rural farm households had primary education. The socio-economic spill-over effect of
transit rural road development as perceived by households in Makurdi Local government area
were revealed that, 46(38.33%), Agreed that, road development improves linkages to other
transport modes and thereby aiding mobility and was rank 1 with Mean (X ?= 2.992), While,
50(41.67%) Agreed that, road development increases income of rural farmers was ranked 2nd
with Mean of X ?=2.925, 40(33.33%) agreed that, road development Improves economic
wellbeing/quality of life of rural farm households and was ranked 3rd with Mean of (X ?) of
2.742, 43(35.83%) agreed that, rural road development boost agriculture ranked 4th with mean
of (X ?) of 2.717, 41(34.17%) agreed that, road development reduces travel time and cost of
transportation to the market and was ranked 5th with mean of (X ?) of 2.658. and finally,
39(32.5%) agreed that, road development facilitates social integration, inclusion and job creation
and was ranked 6th with mean of (X ?) of 2.567. Thirdly, the perceived constraints affecting road
development revealed that, majority, 83(69.17%) respondents perceived corruption as the major
factor militating against road development in makurdi local government area of Benue state
Nigeria with Mean (X ?= 2.55). The study therefore recommends that, increase government
budgets on road. Government should also adopt and put on mechanism that will monitor
progresses of road development at every stage to ensure that, funds appropriated for road
development are not embezzled by corrupt government officials. |
