Does an Improvement in Rural Infrastructure Contribute to Alleviating Poverty in Rural Areas? Cross Sectional Evidence from Rural Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study examines the nexus between infrastructure provision and poverty alleviation in rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, focusing on how the availability and ease of use of social infrastructural facilities as well as the extent to which these facilities have enhanced the wellbeing of the rural dwellers. The objective of this study was to idiographically ascertain the influence of infrastructure provision and accessibility on livelihood improvement in rural communities. Using Taro Yamane statistical technique, 400 households in 30 randomly sampled rural communities drawn from 19 out of 31 LGAs of the State were selected for oral interview using structured questionnaire while the secondary data generated from the Akwa Ibom State Statistical Year Book were used to authenticate the quality of data collected from the questionnaire survey and complement the data obtained through direct field observation of available infrastructure in the sampled settlements. The study reveals that considerable increase in poverty incidence in the rural communities is associated with poor and inadequate infrastructure provision which negatively impact living conditions across the rural communities with attendant policy implications. The study highlights the need for government at all levels in the State and Nigeria in general to undertake a strategic and long-term perspective through increase in her budgetary allocations and radical investment in key infrastructural provision in order to improve the living conditions in the rural communities and lessen poverty levels in the communities.