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The rural road question and Nigeria's agricultural development |
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One of the critical problems of Nigeria ' s agricultural sector
is the inadequate or nonexistent supporting physical infrastructure
such as rural roads, storage and marketing facilities, and water
supply. This paper comprises a discussion of the extent of the rural
roads network and the consequences of its growth on Nigerian
agriculture during the 1970 to 1988 period. Following, a review of the
experience of construction and maintenance of rural roads in Bank
projects is presented. Further, an assessment is made of future needs
for rehabiliation and maintenance of the network, with calculation
regarding the resources necessary to develop such a network. Finally,
institutional aspects, sustainability and reform are considered. The
paper concludes by stressing the urgent need to search for effective
mechanisms including reform, technical assistance and coordination of
federal directorates, state entities and local government institutions
to build institutional capacity at all levels but particularly in Local
Government Authorities (LGA).
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