Chinese Involvement in Nigeria’s Infrastructural Development for Poverty Reduction: The Case of Idundu Bridge, Cross River State

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the socio-economic impact of Chinese involvement in village road construction at the community level in Nigeria. We specifically examined the impact of the rural road project on access to economic opportunities, household income, health, Education and employment. The study was carried out at Idundu, a rural village located at the southeastern city of Calabar, Nigeria. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology, including informal interviews as well as structured and semi-structured questionnaires was used. We found that 82% of beneficiary respondents had a difficult experience transporting their farm produce and other goods to markets before the road was constructed but most respondents (78%) held that construction of the road brought new jobs to the community. Even more people (96%) believed that the road improved how they connect with neighboring communities and 82% of respondents agreed that the new road reduced their traveling time. Of the 50 respondents surveyed, 21 (42%) believed the project improved their income very much, 34% had moderate improvement in income while 24% did not have an increase in income. On the environmental impact of the project, 72% of the respondents did not consider that it damaged the environment; only 8% believed so while 20% did not know. Majority of the respondents (84%) generally had very positive perception of the Chinese, while 82% believed the project improved their lives and that of the community. All non-beneficiaries of the road project complained of bad roads and were pessimistic of any chances of improvement in access roads to their community. Eighty percent of the respondents were of the opinion that the bad road hindered their economic activities. Our overall conclusion is that Chinese involvement in Nigeria’s road construction is a significant positive contribution to people’s welfare at the community level.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 9(1), 269-280, 2012