AN ASSESSEMENT OF THE IMPACT OF OBAJANA CEMENT FACTORY ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OBAJANA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
AN ASSESSEMENT OF THE IMPACT OF OBAJANA CEMENT FACTORY ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OBAJANA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2016-11
Authors
BALOGUN, Edward Sunday
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Abstract
Cement factories in Nigeria need development and expansion as a result of high prices in cement product as well the benefits from the factories to the host communities. The study assessed the impact of Obajana cement factory on the socio-economic development of Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria. Data was collected through administration of questionnaire among 361 households that were systematically sampled. Also, three sections of Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) were held with groups consisting of male, female and youth in the study area. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and Principal Component Analysis techniques. The result from the analysis indicated that only 7% earn above N80,000 per month while 25.2% earn below N20,000 monthly. It was also perceived that the establishment of the factory has generally improved the income of the residents because most residents have diversified their income base from agriculture to other more profitable businesses hence, more than 70% earn above than the N18,000 minimum wage monthly. The standard of living of the people of Obajana have also been improved. This is because more health, education and other social facilities have been established as a result of the influx of people into the area. About 24% are now living their personal houses while 42.7% live in rented apartments. About 94% of the respondents agreed that the population of the community has now constituted a market for local agricultural produce, farmers no longer travel to Kabba or Lokoja markets to sell their products as what they produce is barely enough for the consumption of the reside. It was also discovered that about 21.3% were employed in the factory and other jobs have also been created indirectly in the community as a result of the movement of diverse people into the area. However, about 44% of the respondents claimed they lost their farmlands as a result of the company which in turn, affected their income. Infrastructurally, as a result of increase in the population of the study area 83% of the health facilities, 93% of educational facilities, 92% of the water facility and 100% 0f the commercial Banks came to existence after the establishment of the company. On the other hand, the company has not been able to provide the basic social amenities for the community such as street roads, drainages, health facilities etc. The result of the principal component analysis revealed that the social impact that positively loaded included the award of scholarships to indigenous students, increase in social vices, supply of electricity as well as displacement of the original land owners accounted for the cumulative eigen value of about 38.8%. This is an indication that the establishment of the factory has impacted socially both in positive and negative ways. On the basis of the findings, the study recommended that Obajana cement factory should execute projects such as building schools, construction of roads, provide health facilities, potable water and ultra modern market in collaboration with community stake-47holders and government. The company should also initiate a well monitored credit facility programme to the indigenes of Obajana who are not working in the company in form of soft loans. This will enable them to go into private businesses which will in turn improve their live.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION STUDIES
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY,
FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSEMENT OF THE IMPACT OF OBAJANA, OBAJANA CEMENT FACTORY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OBAJANA, KOGI STATE