Housing Poverty amid Abundance in Urbanizing Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria (Published)
Despite the abundance of housing estates within the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, it is particularly disturbing and ironical that the city is still rated as one of the most expensive place for housing accommodation. This has contributed in domestic poverty, lack of good homes, in which; majority of public servants and private employees does not have decent accommodations. In addition, many families are separated between States, therefore aiding corruption in their respective offices to meet up with their respective needs. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes of un-occupied buildings amid inadequacy of housing for the poor and its effects on the city and to establish the possible data of empty flats within the city in other to aid policy directions concerning empty houses and flats in the Abuja metropolis. Data were gathered from assessment of scantly occupied and completely un-occupied housing flats within Abuja metropolis through a case study research approach which is appropriate when you are to learn the why and how a particular situation occurs according to Yin (2003). From the tabulation and percentage analysis it shows that a total of 21,239 empty flats are available un-occupied in Abuja metropolis. This study advocate a regulatory control on empty buildings in Abuja Metropolis in form of the following recommendations; that all empty houses should be converted to social housing development, Government should place heavy tax on empty houses; Government should establish an ACT for rental control and occupancy in Abuja Metropolis.
Keywords: Abuja, Abundance, Housing, Poverty, Urban
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ROAD TRANSPORT ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF OBOKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
Rural transport and infrastructure development in Nigeria have being topical issues and have been identified by many as crucial components for economic development of the country. In light of the above, the paper adopted survey method to gather data while secondary sources of data were also utilised to argument the later. A total of three hundred set of questionnaires were administered in three randomly selected communities in the study area. The analysis of the data revealed an inequality in the provision of road infrastructure and rehabilitation of roads in the area, resulting in disparities in the level of development. The poor condition of roads in the area is having negative effects on agricultural activities which is the major source of income of residents, thereby increasing the poverty rate. The study recommendations integrated rural development strategy, empowerment of the grassroots dwellers by the government to enhance grassroots development. Other recommendations include the establishment of road maintenance unit at the local government level to ensure that existing roads are kept in good condition, encourage private-public participation in rural road development and finally, community efforts should be encouraged through self-help approach
Keywords: Accessibility, Poverty, Rural Area, Self- Help Approach And Development