Locational Efficiency of Infrastructural Facilities in Rivers South East Senatorial District, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study analysed the efficiency of infrastructural facilities location in Rivers South East senatorial district in Rivers State. The study focused extensively on the efficient location of infrastructural facilities, its challenges, and impact on Regional Development. The research adopted descriptive research using three different data collection instruments viz: structured questionnaire, personal interviews and observations. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamani’s formula from study population of 3,109,665.5. Simple random sampling technique was used to select five (5) out of eight (8) local government areas in Rivers South East Senatorial District Rivers State, and questionnaire were administered to 400 respondents. The data collected were subjected to SPSS using version 26 and descriptive analysis with statistical relevant techniques such as mean, median, modes, tables, and charts where appropriate. The study revealed that the infrastructural facilities in the study area are inadequate, inefficient, and the impact of infrastructural facilities on regional development are economic growth, employment and improved standard of living. The study concluded that a region where infrastructural facilities are adequately provided and efficiently located, evenly distributed development, employment and economic growth will be attracted towards such region. The study recommended among other things that political interest should be avoided in providing infrastructural facilities; professionals should be engaged and allowed to work independently for the benefit of the region, also, the state government should involve the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to determine the location of infrastructural facilities and centres of economic activities in the State and also offer advice on State development projects/programmes with socio-economic and environmental impacts. This will help not only to promote the spirit of distributive justice but also foster regional balance in our developmental efforts particularly in the South East Senatorial district, and Rivers State in general.