Impact of Delayed Road Infrastructure Development on Values of Shops along Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene

Abstract

Infrastructure refers to all the physical, social and economic elements needed to support the population. This research aimed at assessing the effect of delayed road infrastructure development on rental values of shops along Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. In order to achieve the stated aim, the objectives of the study were stated as follows: to assess the present condition of Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene and to examine the relationship between road infrastructure provision and property value in the study area. The research employed the cross-sectional survey research approach. The simple random sampling technique was employed and the sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula for descriptive studies. Data was collected mainly through primary sources. A sample size of one hundred and fifty (150) was used for the study determined through the use of Cochran’s formula. The primary source of data collection was through a structured questionnaire and copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents within the study area. Descriptive analysis such as the use of frequency tables and percentage as well as Relative Importance Index were employed to analyze the data obtained through the questionnaire. The collected data from the field was also edited, coded and classified into response categories; this was done with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in order to determine the relative importance index of the variables. the result revealed that none of the respondents opined an excellent or good state of the road assessment. This implies that the road is in a bad state of functionality. The research concluded that there was a strong relationship between delay in road infrastructure development and property values as all the questionnaire items scored above the minimum point of 3.5 on the scale with the highest mean score depicting that delay in the provision of road infrastructure discourages most shop operators to accept settling along Aba road. However, the research recommended that it is pertinent for the government and the infrastructure service providers to take into consideration the indicators of effectiveness and efficiency in physical infrastructure performance measurement.