Social Sciences 2021; 10(3): 132-139 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ss doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20211003.18 ISSN: 2326-9863 (Print); ISSN: 2326-988X (Online) Research Article The Conditions of Infrastructure and the Development of Rural Communities in Imo State, Nigeria Angela Iweka Enwereuzor, Ikpong Sunday Umo, Chinyere Lawrencia Charles-Akalonu Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Nigeria Email address: To cite this article: Angela Iweka Enwereuzor, Ikpong Sunday Umo, Chinyere Lawrencia Charles-Akalonu. The Conditions of Infrastructure and the Development of Rural Communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Social Sciences. Vol. 10, No. 3, 2021, pp. 132-139. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20211003.18 Received: May 26, 2021; Accepted: June 7, 2021; Published: June 22, 2021 Abstract: The quests for sustainable development of diverse sectors tend to rank very high in the global and national agenda of the 21 st century. Within Nigeria and Imo State in particular, the rising scenarios of insecurity in have posed serious challenges to the socio-economic and agricultural development in some rural communities. This study elucidates the patterns and intriguing relationships between the conditions of infrastructure and the level of socio-economic development of the rural communities in Imo State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the rural areas and the respondents. A total of 44 rural communities were randomly selected and a total of 613 respondents were selected for study. Using structure questionnaire, oral interview and field observation data were generated and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of the qualitative and quantitative assessments revealed that: (i) the conditions of infrastructure (road, school and hospital) were mostly poor across the three zones in Imo State. (ii) Significant relationships exist between and among the conditions of infrastructure and the level of development in rural communities Imo State as validated by a coefficient of determination of 0.934. (iii) The deplorable conditions of most rural roads impede the timely evacuation of farm products and people to the markets (urban centers). This study recommended for strategic planning, funding, restructuring, empowerment and rehabilitation of infrastructure through collaborative efforts of the Federal and State Governments for sustainable development as well as full implementation of financial autonomy of the Local Government Areas. Keywords: Infrastructure, Rural Communities, Roads, Health, Security, Sustainable Development 1. Introduction It is usually agreed among geographers and development analysts that the growth and development of any Nation irrespective of location, partly depend on the availability, accessibility and affordability of appropriate infrastructure [1]. The infrastructure such as water, electricity, road and health are often considered as strong indicators of improved standard of living if the rural poor can afford. Hence, there is need for infrastructural development in rural areas in order to improve the populace standard of living and reduce rural-urban migration [2, 3]. According to [4-6], infrastructure is an umbrella term for many activities often referred to as social overhead capital. Also, Ogbazi [7] refers to infrastructure as physical, social and institutional form of capital which aid rural residents in their production, distribution and consumption activities as well as enhance the quality of rural life. The Concept “infrastructure” represents the basic structure and facilities necessary for rural people to function efficiently or an element in the package of basic needs which a community would like to procure for better living (Ukpongson et al. and Begeron cited in [3]. The perspective suggests that availability and accessibility of vital infrastructure such as good road networks, supply of potable water, uninterrupted power supply (electrification), storage and processing facilities, standard health and educational facilities, communication centers, fire and security services, credit and financial institutions, agricultural research facilities in the rural communities is a panacea to sustainable development. Within the Southern Nigeria, [5] observed that rural infrastructure is better understood as those specialized elements in the development process that bring about