hImpact of Slum Development in Mararaba Gurku, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Ogah A.T, Adana M.Y and Magaji J.I
Department of Geography
Nasarawa State University, Keffi PMB 1022.
Email: tankogah@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The study impact of slum development in Mararaba Gurku was aimed atidentifying the extent and to determine and confirm the nature of slum in the area. The methodology adopted was a household survey undertaken by using the stratified random sampling method; questionnaires were prepared and administered in seven wards of the study area.A systematic type of observation was also used. This was undertaken by the researcher and his assistants that were recruited during the field survey at street/ward levels especially where wastes are dumped. Observations were recorded with notes and photographs of the streets/wards. The result of the analysis revealed that high rate of urban drift (migration), low rate of buildings, houses easy to erect and inaccessibility of decent houses in the city center were the causes of urban slum while the effect was that many of the slums residents are involved in prostitution, drug trafficking, hijacking, the slum residents are always involved in conflict in the slums and squatter is a regular phenomenon. Increase incidence of communicable disease that may spread to city dwellers from the work place, degradation of air quality with frequent slum fire and provides hideouts for criminal were also the aftermath. In conclusion, the major causes of slums development are high rural- urban drift, shortage of accommodation in the town and low rent for slum houses. It is also recommended that Government should check slums development through poverty reduction schemes and monitoring the indiscriminating sale and resale of land in satellite areas.
Key words: Drift, houses, prostitution, sale, slum development.
