A Spatial Analysis of Some Indicators of Development in the Rural Areas of Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study examines the indicators of development in the rural areas of Okene in order to determine the levels of socio-economic development of the rural areas by identifying and analysing the available development indicators. Based on the yearnings of the people, the appropriateness of the indicators as catalysts for development and their availability in the selected fifty five (55) rural areas, forty six (46) development indicators were identified and evaluated for the study. The forty six (46) development indicators were subjected to Principal Component Analysis which brought out fourteen (14) dominant indicators that explained the variance in the levels of development in the rural areas. The fourteen indicators (such as institutions, agriculture, health facilities, commerce, super market, infrastructure, irrigation facilities, water facilities, tourist sites, cultural and religion institutions) account for 78.54% in the explanation of the variance in the levels of development in the rural areas. Results show that some positive relationships exist among the development indicators but there is a general low level of infrastructural development in the rural areas of Okene. Relevant recommendations and suggestions were made towards a sustainable rural development in Okene based on the findings of the study.