The Evolution of Development Associations in Infrastructure Development in Nigeria: (The Ilawe Society Experience)

Infrastructure is refers to those basic services without which primary, secondary and tertiary productive activities cannot function, this includes schools, water supply, electricity supply, roads and town halls among others. The purpose of the study was to highlight the history and urbanization process of Ilawe-Ekiti as well as the Development Associations in infrastructure development in Nigeria. The research survey method was adopted for use in this study. Questionnaire was used in collecting relevant information from the authority of the Ekiti South-West LGC officials and the developments associations. The findings revealed that problems encounter by the development associations ranges from low level of participations, economics and political crisis, funding and logistics problems. Finally the paper calls on encouragement of peoples/community participation toward the development of communities as well as locating cooperative banks which should be directed to give loan to the development associations. Keywords: Development Associations, Infrastructure Development, Participation, Ilawe-Ekiti, Nigeria

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: (THE ILAWE SOCIETY EXPERIENCE)

Infrastructure is refers to those basic services without which primary, secondary and tertiary productive activities cannot function, this includes schools, water supply, electricity supply, roads and town halls among others. The purpose of the study was to highlight the history and urbanization process of Ilawe-Ekiti as well as the Development Associations in infrastructure development in Nigeria. The research survey method was adopted for use in this study. Questionnaire was used in collecting relevant information from the authority of the Ekiti South-West LGC officials and the developments associations. The findings revealed that problems encounter by the development associations ranges from low level of participations, economics and political crisis, funding and logistics problems. Finally the paper calls on encouragement of peoples/community participation toward the development of communities as well as locating cooperative banks which should be directed to give loan to the development associations. However, the two tiers of government, (local and state) particularly the LG that supposed to be grassroots-based, should identify these DAs, streamline their activities and provide adequate supervision, motivation, monitoring, coordination, and evaluation of their projects to support development.   Keywords: Development Associations, Infrastructure Development, Participation, Ilawe-Ekiti, Nigeria

Market Condition and Regional Development Planning in Ekiti-State, South Western Nigeria

A market is a geographical space that facilitates trade and enable the distribution and allocation of resources in a society, whereby parties engage in exchange of goods and services which promotes production, distribution and consumption activities and improve the welfare and social life of the people. The purpose of this study is to assess the types and condition of the market facilities in Ikere, Ise/Orun and Emure region of Ekiti state, South Western Nigeria with a view to enhancing the economic development of the study area. This study adopted the survey research method, and used three different questionnaires to collect research data from the Local Government authorities, market authorities and the market traders in the study area. The findings among others revealed that the facilities provided for the market traders are grossly inadequate and the existing market facilities are in bad conditions. Further findings reveal that the condition of most facilities in the markets was dilapidated and had not been adequately maintained; which is affecting the level of patronage of the markets. In view of the these findings, there were need to improve the market facilities and conditions through additional provision and maintenance of the existing markets. It was also suggested that private management firm should be responsible for the inspection and general maintenance of the entire market in the study area. Keywords: Condition, Ekiti-State, Market, Module, Regional Developmen

A Module on Market Condition and Regional Development Planning in Ekiti-State, South Western Nigeria

A market place is a geographical space that facilitates trade and enables the distribution and allocation of resources in a society, whereby parties engage in exchange of goods and services which promotes production, promotion, distribution, and consumption activities and improve the welfare and social life of the people. The purpose of the study was is to assess the types and conditions of the markets facilities in Ikere, Ise/Orun and Emure region of Ekiti state, Nigeria with a view to enhancing the economic development of the study area. This study adopted the survey research method, and used three different questionnaires to collect research data from the authority in Ikere, Ise/Orun and Emure Local Government Councils of Ekiti State, Market authorities in Ikere, Ise/Orun and Emure LG Councils of Ekiti State and the market traders in the study area which is the main focus of this study. The findings among others revealed that the facilities provided for the market traders are grossly inadequate, while the existing market facilities are in bad conditions. However, the condition of most facilities in the markets was dilapidated and had not been adequately maintained, which is affecting the level of patronage of the markets in Ekiti State. In view of the findings, there were need to improve the market facilities and conditions through additional provision and maintenance of the existing markets; private management firm should be responsible for the inspections and general maintenance of the entire market in the study area. Keywords: Condition, Market, Module, Planning, Regional Developmen

Socio-Economic Impact of Residential Property Rental Market on Urban Poor in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

This study examine the socio-economic impact of residential property rental market on urban poor in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It focuses on the socio-economic characteristics of the urban poor, the tenural status and the factors influencing rental accommodation of the urban poor in the study area. One thousand and thirty seven (1,037) questionnaires were administered on the respondents while eight hundred and forty nine (849) was retrieved and used for the data analysis. The study employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings among others revealed that the urban poor are those who are unable to obtain adequate income and find a suitable job and own a property in the study area. It was further revealed that over crowded living condition, income level, low level of education, poor access to basic amenities, rate of interest paid on loan, high cost of building materials and high cost of land for owner occupied are the major factors that influence rental accommodation of the urban poor in the study area. In view of the findings, there were need to suggest policy to improve the residential property rental market on urban poor through  provision of potable water, low cost housing, improved health care facilities, improved transportation in terms of good roads, sound education for the wards of the urban poor and employment opportunities to develop the area. Finally the paper calls on the three tiers of governments and other stakeholders to provide and adopt schemes that can assist or protect the poor and low income renters by encouraging small scale landlords to provide more and better rental accommodation. Keywords: Accommodation, Ado Ekiti. Residential property rental market, Urban poo

Willingness to Improving Infrastructure (A Focus on Iju Town, Ondo State, Nigeria)

In the 21st century of human habitat and global transformation of towns and cities, a nation develops through willingness of stakeholders (i.e. Government, Community Based Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Individuals) in improving infrastructural facilities that allow a society to function effectively. This study examined the effects of infrastructure on the socio-economic livelihood of the people in Iju community, with a view to enhancing development and alleviating poverty. Data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 180 respondents using stratified sampling. The sample size was the ratio of buildings. The processing of data in the study was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Data collected were analyzed at two levels using univariate and bivariate statistics. The Univariate Analysis was used to present the data on frequency distribution through the use of tables, charts, maps, and percentages. The Bivariate Analysis was used in carrying out the tests of the formulated hypotheses Findings revealed that provisions of infrastructures such as road, water supply, electricity, school and town halls were instrumental in improving the socio-economic activities of the people, however the condition of some facilities in the town was dilapidated and as such had not been adequately maintained. The recommendations called for encouragement of self help programmes and assistance from NGOs and cooperative societies. Keywords: Infrastructure Development, Iju Town, Ondo State, Socio-Economic, Willingnes

The Influence of Ikogosi Warm Spring Tourist Centre on Economic Development of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Over the years it has cut through human developments to economic development of regions, nations and the world at large. Tourism generates wealth and employment. It’s served as a major source of income and foreign exchange earners for countries. The Ikogosi-Ekiti warm spring tourist centre is a tourist destination; it offers numerous values ranging from historical, environmental monuments and rich cultural heritage of the people. It’s a wonder to behold. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the Ikogosi cold/warm spring tourist resort on community development, with a view to enhancing the economic development of the host community. This study adopted a survey research method and used four different sets of questionnaire to collect research data from the household heads, tourists, staff of Ikogosi tourism centre and the Ekiti state tourism board. The findings among others revealed that the Ikogosi warm spring tourist centre lack adequate network coverage and transportation problem. However the study compels government to encourage private partnership in tourism industry; and therefore calls for public enlightenment to be given to the host community on the usefulness to be hospitable and polite to tourists. Keywords: Ekiti-State, Ikogosi-Ekiti warm spring, Tourism, Tourist centre

Infrastructure and Societal Restlessness in a Developing Country (A Case of Nigeria)

The urban population and areas are growing fast and, consequently, the urban infrastructural facilities have to meet the needs of rapidly increasing users. These problems of inadequate/inefficient infrastructural delivery and societal restlessness are more evident in the developing countries of the world like Nigeria, which include, increased urban poverty, spreading societal restlessness, political crisis, increasing terrorisms, growing insecurity and rising crime rates are the most serious problems confronting cities, towns and its inhabitants in the country (Nigeria), those problems have seriously challenged the capacity of government at all levels and residents in the country. This paper examines some of the challenges of urban infrastructures, problems emanating from societal restlessness of a nation, poverty and sustainable development in Nigeria. Identification of the factors responsible for those problems were thus highlighted for national awareness and policy implementation purposes in achieving sustainable human development. The paper also examines the problems pertaining to infrastructure, societal restlessness and environmental sustainability and their application in Nigerian urban/rural areas. It was discovered that most of the identified problems responsible for low level of infrastructural development and societal restlessness has not been adequately addressed. Therefore, the Nigerian City is far from becoming a united nation as well as a developed nation of the world, which is achievable through Sustainable Development. The paper concludes by recommending some urban planning strategies for achieving sustainable urban development. Keywords: Infrastructure, Societal Restlessness, Developing Country, Sustainable development, Povert