Assessment of Neighbourhood Infrastructure conditions in Minna

Abstract

Infrastructure provision is very vital in the overall development of any society; yet it remains a major challenge confronting many cities. Its availability in term of quantity and quality is an important yardstick in the assessment of the quality of the environment. Infrastructure in the context of this study is the physical infrastructure which are the general neighbourhood facilities supporting the existing houses. Hence this study assessed the condition of infrastructure within the Peripheral. Residential neighbourhoods in Minna, Nigeria. Data for the study were sought from both primary and secondary sources A sample size of 600 was drawn out of the total 18,387 households In the sampled neighbourhoods using estimation method. Estimation rate of 50% and precision range of +4 were adopted in determining the sample size. Systematic random sampling method was adopted in the administration of the questionnaires. While infrastructure conditions were assessed using eleven (II) variables which were rated on 5 point likert scale and summed up to determine the perfect condition score. A summation of all scores by a particular neighbourhood was divided by the perfect condition score to determine infrastructure quality index number. The rating scale ranges from 0-1 (very poor=0.00-0.19; Poor=0.20-0.49; Fair 0.50-0.74; Good 0.75-0.94, and Excellent=0.95-1.00). Quantitative and descriptive methods were used in analysing data. Results of the analysis revealed that infrastructure conditions in the neighbourhoods are fair; with infrastructure indices ranging fron 0.52 to 0.65. This implies that, infrastructure provided within the sampled residential neighbourhoods are not adequately meeting the household present demands due to their deplorable conditions. The study recommended government and community interventions in the refurbishing and provisions of necessary infrastructure needed to support development and for the enhancement of quality environment