The Role of Intermediate Means of Transport in Rural Income Generation: A Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Intermediate Means of Transport (IMT) plays a very important role in satisfying travel needs in the rural areas of Africa, where motorable roads are grossly inadequate and the level of motorization is very low. This study examines the contributions of lMT to rural income generation in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study used data from 30 rural settlements spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, derived through questionnaire survey. The data was analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis after it was first subjected to factor analysis to reduce the variables to a few orthogonal variables. The results show that ownership of IMT contributes 58.5% to the variance and is the best predictor of (factors determining opportunity for additional income in the area. Implying that better access to IMT improves the level of personal mobility thereby raising opportunities for agricultural and off-farm income generation and enhances general wellbeing in rural areas of Kwara State. It was however further discovered that better transport facilities; closeness to major centres and being male also raises the opportunity for additional income in the area. It was therefore suggested that improving the condition of footpaths, track and footbridges along which most rural travels occur, adoption of improved forms of IMT with higher load carrying capacity and policy measures to reduce cost of vehicles would help to improve personal mobility and general wellbeing in rural areas of the country.