INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION: A PANACEA TO RURAL EMPOWERMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Empowerment and poverty reduction strategies in Nigeria over the years have been least successful due to poor attention to basic infrastructure provision. This paper examined the efficacy and potency of basic infrastructure to rural empowerment and poverty reduction. The paper theoretically articulated historical data from literatures on empowerment and poverty alleviation. It anchored its analysis on the Basic Needs Theory which emphasizes the creation of a strong infrastructural base as a stimulant to the delivery of productive activities. On the strength of this, the paper gathered secondary data which enabled it to highlight the impact of infrastructure on poverty alleviation, pinpointing improvement in agriculture, entrepreneurship development, enhancement of living standards, and general socio-economic well-being as some of the goodies. It concluded that basic infrastructure like rural roads, electricity, potable water and the like are critical and sine-qua-non if the quest for rural poverty alleviation is to be meaningful. Keywords: Infrastructure, empowerment, poverty reduction, rural areas.