Implications of Spatial Pattern of Social Infrastructure Stock in the Development of Rural Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Abstract

Social infrastructure is essential for achieving objectives of diversifying production, expanding trade, coping with population growth, reducing poverty and improving human welfare especially in developing economies. The level of stock of social infrastructure and the spatial pattern of distribution determine the level of regional growth and development. This study examines the levels of stock of social infrastructure and the spatial pattern of development in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State. Empirical and theoretical approaches were employed in the investigation and data on 21 social indicator variables/surrogates were collected from 50 villages in the state using questionnaire, field observation and oral interview as research tools. An index of social infrastructure stock was evolved and hierarchical cluster analysis statistics was applied on the stock of social infrastructure in order to group the communities on the basis of social infrastructure profiles. The single linkage cluster analysis was employed to illustrate the linear combination of the communities and the rural areas were found to fall into high, moderate, fair and low patterns of social infrastructure stock. The result shows that the study area is characterized by many vulnerable communities that are very weak in stock of social infrastructure. The mapping of the patterns of development provided a veritable tool for policy makers attempting to balance the distribution of social infrastructure in order to enhance and spread development in all areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Key words: Social infrastructure, stock, spatial pattern, rural areas, population growth