ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF ASABA'S GROWTH ON RURAL COMMUNITIES: RESOURCE ALLOCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME IMPLICATIONS FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

Abstract

The study assesses the effects of Asaba's Growth on Rural Communities and how it affects livelihood and 
employment. The development of Delta State Capital Asaba, pre-supposed improvement in infrastructure and 
the emergence of various forms of non-farm income sources for inhabitants but very little is known about how 
the development of Asaba capital of Delta State has affected resource allocation, employment and income 
generation in the area which need to be investigated. A total of 400 respondents were determined using Taro 
Yamane formula. Data for this study were generated from personal observation, responses in questionnaire 
and participant interviews, as well as focus group discussion. Data analysis was done using both descriptive 
and inferential statistical methods. Responses from key informants and focus group respondents were 
transcribed and critically reviewed to sieve out the modal points. Result shows that Participants at the field 
interviews (focus group discussions and key informants’ interviews) across the twelve communities of the 
capital territory revealed that indigenes of the area had access to large contiguous farmlands on which they 
engaged in various agricultural activities. Apparently, land ownership was by inheritance from forebears and 
allocation by the leaders and elders of the various communities under study. On loss of agricultural farmland 
on account of Asaba being made capital majority of the respondents (57%), said “No” (Figure 2). This is 
intriguing given the scale of land takings by various activities. Respondents to the interviews and focus group 
discussion stated that erosion was beginning to affect their farmland. It was found that there is no significant 
difference in land allocation and ownership in Delta State capital territory following state creation. It shows 
that there has been a significant decline in the measure of farmland owned by individuals after Asaba. The 
increased personal revenues of residents of the communities enabled them to better their living conditions, 
building better houses and retiring from tedious farm work.  Based on findings it was recommended that 
government should provide support through infrastructural development to enable easy access to far-reached 
areas of these communities, which can help to encourage farmers in the capital territory to continue with their 
occupation.