Appraisal of Characteristics of Slum Neighbourhood of Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Slum is a consequential effect of unplanned urbanization in cities especially in developing countries. Insecure tenure, crime, overcrowding, uncollected waste and poor sanitation are problems that often characterized slum neighbourhood. The problems of Slum is not a peculiar problem as most slum areas tend to exhibit the same trait, these identified problems are evident in the slum area of Kpakungu, a Neighbourhood in Minna, Niger State. Since the inception of the present political dispensation (1999 till date), the state government has been enforcing all the planning tools to control its development but this has proved abortive. This study aims at appraising the characteristics of slum neighbourhood of Minna, Niger State with reference to Kpakungu between 1999 and 2014. This was achieved by examining the factors responsible for slum proliferation in kpakungu neighbourhood and the impact of town planning activities in kpakungu between 1999 and 2014. Quantitative approach was used in data collection and stratified random sampling was used to select respondents. The neighbourhood was divided into 8 units from which random sampling was used to select the respondents for the study. A total of 95 questionnaires were administered due to the size of the population and the respondents. Geospatial techniques were also used to substantiate data from both sources. The Rasi 700 gas meter was further used to determine the pollution level. The analysis of the spatial development of the neighbourhood indicated that there is a significant increase in the size of the slum between the periods of investigation. The pollution level of the neighbourhood shows higher level than the stipulated value of 10ppm for CO, 0.04-0.06ppm for NO2 and 0.01ppm for SO2 by NESREA. There is also increase in crime rate in the neighbourhood by 25%. The study recommends inclusive planning approach in the management and planning of neighbourhood and proper monitoring and implementation of development control measures should be enforced by the relevant agencies in the state.