Development of Rural Roads in Anambra State, Nigerian, 1976-1991

Abstract

Rural roads are invaluable infrastructure in rural development of any society or polity. It is against this backdrop that governments consider the development of rural roads a key component of rural development programme. The people are known to complement this effort by embarking on self-help projects on rural road development. There is the need to document and analyse these efforts within geo-political administrative context and in time perspectives and horizon. This paper undertakes this task with respect to Anambra state, Nigeria, in the period, 1976 to 1991. It discusses rural road development as a component of overall rural development of the state. Data for the paper are derived from primary and secondary sources. Its presentation is chronological. It adopts quantitative and quantitative methods of research. It does not lend its analysis to any theoretical construct. Rather, it critically engages data to substantiate the thrust of its argument. It observes that government and the people made remarkable efforts to improve the conditions of rural roads and embarked on new road projects. Yet, these could not significantly solve the problem and inadequacy of rural road network in the state.