AN ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL FACILITIES IN JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN TARABA STATE
AN ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL FACILITIES IN JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN TARABA STATE
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Date
2000-11
Authors
EMMANUEL, TAR ADAGBA
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Abstract
Deep in the heart of the researcher, lay the question,
"what may be the revealing facts about this region with
regards to what is conceived as "development"? Thus, seven
major indices were selected: water, education, market/stores,
electricity, motor—park, housing and health facility
provisions. Seven major settlement locations were also
selected for research, with the aim of discovering the nature
of the distribution of social amenities in the region. Three
independent variables population, distance and the number of
taxable adults per location were used to formulate the
following hypothesis: That there is no significant
relationship between facilities located in a community and
spatial indices such as population, the number of taxable
adults and distance from Jalingo.
The conceptual framework was built around two theories -
Growth Pole and Central Place. Data collection was based on
both the primary and secondary sources, that is, questionnaire
(structured and unstructured), and the field survey for the
primary source; and textbooks, theses, news papers and
information from offices for the secondary sources. Two
regression models were used in the analysis of data. These
are, the multiple and simple regressions. The former was the
main tool of analysis. The latter model was used to broaden
our base for the final conclusion.
In order to identify centres with deficient number of
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facilities, the standard score model was used. The scores
depicted the levels of inequality for all the locations.
The two regression models produced two contrary results.
The multiple regression, as was later discovered, accepted the
null hypothesis as a result of collinearity in the independent
variables. This collinearity was indicated by the resulting
insignificant t-values, while the R2 values remained quite
high. The simple regression on the other hand rejected the
null hypothesis, which means that the independent variables
are significant in determining facility location. In the midst
of this occurrence, we drew the conclusion that in the
operations of government, these independent variables are
quite passive. The most active ingredient is public policy
which determines most significantly what occurs in
geographical space.
From all that has proceeded, this research must be
recognized for its contribution in the sphere of development.
But I have acknowledge limitations also of this research.
First, time, monetary resources as well as opportunities did
not favourably unit to perfect the research. Besides,
development per se is not stagnant. Governments are supplying
more electricity, more water and building more schools. As a
result, findings of research are soon out of tune with current
situation; this research is not an exception.
However, this research has helped to generally confirmed
the conclusion by Idachaba (1981) that the area is rural.
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Also, like the research by Bashir (1997) disparity in facility
distribution was seen to exist. The research has deepened the
knowledge about the current social status-quo of the L.G.A.;
not in a general manner but in a particular sense. Since the
creation of Taraba State in 1991, no research, except this
one, has been conducted to bridge the gap between previous
researches and the present trend in development.
The standard score model which measured the levels of
inequality showed that of the seven locations, only two were
not deficient in the number of facilities required per
settlement location. These two settlements represent 28,5%,
that is to say 71.5% of all the main centres in the area are
deficient with regards to the number of facilities. Based on
the foregoing, we recommended improvement in the supply of
agricultural tools for the ruralites, and also suggested that
urbanization of a higher order should be highly encouraged by
government.
Description
EMMANUEL TAR ADAGBA
(MA/FASS/08484/95-96)
A Thesis Submitted to the Postgraduate School, in Partial
Fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Arts Degree in
Regional Development
in the
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
FACULTY OF ARTS
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA.
NIGERIA.
NOVEMBER, 2000.
Keywords
ANALYSIS, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, SOCIAL FACILITIES, JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE