An Assessment of The Adequacy of Public Infrastructure in Enugu Urban

This study aimed at assessing the adequacy of public infrastructure in Enugu Urban, Enugu State, Nigeria. Study objectives were to identify and determine the adequacy of public infrastructure in the area and the challenges affecting its provision. Survey research design was employed to reach all respondents. Using purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques, a total number of 400 respondents were selected in three areas of Enugu Urban that is, Trans-Ekulu (Enugu East LGA), Ogui-Enugu (Enugu North LGA) and Awkunanaw (Enugu South LGA). Primary (questionnaires, oral interview and personal observation) and secondary (web pages, journals, magazines and government gazettes) data sources constituted data collection instruments for the study. Data were presented and analyzed using tables, percentages, means and the hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square test. The study revealed that roads, hospitals/clinics, pipe-borne water system, electric line and transformers, telecommunication, schools, open spaces and parks etc are the most prominent public infrastructure in the city. Challenges to public infrastructure provision as revealed from the study included corruption, financial constraints, lack of citizen involvement, unforeseen technical challenges, lack of visionary leaders, lack of coordination between central and regional levels, political interference among others. Result from the hypothesis show that challenges affecting public infrastructure provision in Enugu Urban are highly significant as the p value (.001) was less than the significance level (α) of 0.05. The study therefore recommended that the government through its appropriate agencies should embark on construction, expansion and rehabilitation of new and old infrastructure and facilities in Enugu Urban. This will help to augment the already dilapidating and over-burdened infrastructure within Enugu Urban.