Analysis Of Inequality In Environmental Amenities Distribution In Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Inequality is a global concern both in developed and developing countries of the world; the menace is more noticeable in developing countries like Nigeria. Environmental amenity is a bundle of services that is essential to individual existence, it could as well determine the wellbeing of the people. The study therefore provides a spatio temporal analysis of environmental amenities distribution in Bida town, of Niger State. Three basic environmental amenities were considered for the study, these are: Water, Open space, and Public schools. The survey research design was adopted for the study, both primary and secondary data were collected concurrently and analysed accordingly. Gini coefficient was employed as analytical tools to measure inequality and adequacy in the fourteen wards in Bida. The findings of the study reveals that inequality exist in the distribution of environmental amenities within Bida town. The inequality in the distribution of public primary schools and open spaces is high with a gini coefficient of 0.59 and 0.54 respectively. Water amenities distribution shows a moderate inequality as it records a GC of 0.31. The study, therefore, concludes that the provision of environmental amenities in the study area is not a function of population which is a major determinant in amenities provision. It is recommended that the provision of environmental amenities should be matched with the population, review of policy and other objective criteria to improve general wellbeing of the people was also recommended.