Effects of Road Transport Infrastructure on Economic Growth in Rivers State
By Ogbonna K. I, Daminabo, S. I.
The study investigated the effects of road transport infrastructure on economic growth in River State. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the extent to which road network and connections, overpasses and road transport terminal impact economic growth in Rivers state. Four research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study was conducted in Rivers state with 503 respondents drawn from different economic sectors in Rivers State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to draw the sample of the study. A valid instrument tagged Road, Overpass, Terminals and Economic Growth Assessment questionnaire was used for the collection of data in the study. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha. The research questions were answered using regression analysis (simple and multiple). The null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance. In answer to the research questions, the result of the study revealed that road network and connections have significant positive effects on economic growth. The result of the study also indicated that both overpasses and bridges as well as road transport terminals have significant positive effects on economic growth. The results of the study also demonstrated that road network and connections, overpasses and bridges as well as road transport terminal combined have significant positive effects on economic growth. Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn that road transport infrastructures have a clear and glaring positive impact and effects on economic growth in Rivers state and recommendations made.