Effect of Inter-Governmental Relations on Rural Infrastructure Development in Makurdi Local Government Area

Abstract

This study examined the effect of intergovernmental relations on rural infrastructure development in Makurdi Local Government Area, guided by four objectives focusing on rural road infrastructure, rural water supply infrastructure, rural healthcare infrastructure, and challenges affecting effective collaboration among government levels. The study was anchored on the Collaborative Governance Theory developed by Ansell and Gash (2008). A descriptive survey design was adopted, with the study population comprising officials from the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Local Government Service Commission, relevant state ministries, community leaders, and rural residents in Makurdi Local Government Area. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 400 respondents was determined, out of which 380 completed questionnaires were retrieved and analysed. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, while simple linear regression was employed to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that inter-governmental relations had a statistically significant effect on rural road infrastructure development (R = 0.682, R² = 0.465), rural water supply infrastructure development (R = 0.655, R² = 0.429), and rural healthcare infrastructure development (R = 0.690, R² = 0.476). The study further identified poor coordination, overlapping responsibilities, inadequate financial resources, and weak communication as major challenges affecting effective inter-governmental collaboration. The study concluded that effective cooperation among government levels remains critical for sustainable rural infrastructure development. It recommended stronger coordination, joint planning, resource sharing, and improved accountability mechanisms among federal, state, and local governments.