1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
There exists a close and reciprocal relationship between population growth and economic development in a country. The population in one way constitutes a source of labor that could be utilized to boost the country’s production. On the other hand, it could also be seen as a consumer group that uses and exhausts a large quantity of the country’s resources. However, certain economists from the earlier times have pointed out that the increase of population and the rapid growth of population in a country is tied to its economy. But the opinion of some other economists is that although the population can grow rapidly in a country, its natural and physical resources are limited, and as a consequence this situation could prove to be an obstacle to the economic development of the country. In the midst of these arguments the demographic transition theory attempts to clarify the relationship between population growth and economic development. It is clear that in the past economists and demographers considered the inter-relationship between population growth and economic development from both an optimistic perspective as well as from a pessimistic perspective. Those who viewed it optimistically adopted a benign attitude towards population increase; that is, they considered it is not necessary to control the population growth of a country. According to them the growth of population does not bring bad results. The pessimists look at it differently and assert that if a country is to attain a higher state of development, the rate of population growth should be reduced. That is, they claim that during the process of economic development population growth should be controlled. All pessimists are of the opinion that a higher fertility rate and the resulting rapid population growth act as a damper on economic development.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Investigation reveals the following problems involve in accessing the impact of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje area council in F.C.T. Abuja;
- Lack of information relating to theimpacts of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje Area council.
- Lack of information relating to the strategies needed to improvepopulation growth on social infrastructure.
- Lack of properly estimation of the strategies people of kuje area council employed to the population growth on social infrastructure.
In order to effectively tackle this problem, this study will attempt to answer the following questions:
1.3 Research Questions
- What are the impacts of population growth in Kuje area council ?
- What are the strategies that could be employed to improve population growth on social infrastructure?
- What are the efforts people of kuje area council contribute to the population growth on social infrastructure?
1.4 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje area council in F.C.T Abuja.
Specifically this study was to:
- Identify the impacts of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje Area council.
- Determine the strategies that could be employed to improve population growth on social infrastructure.
- Find out the strategies and efforts people of kuje area council contribute or employed to the population growth on social infrastructure.
- To examine the literature on the inter-relationship between population growth and socialinfrastructural development from both an optimistic angle as well as from a pessimistic angle.
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research work when completed and implemented it will helpIdentify the impacts of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje Area council, Abuja and also, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.6 Delimitation of the Study
The study delimited itself to accessing the impact of population growth on social infrastructure in Kuje area council, Abuja.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Infrastructure: the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Social: an informal social gathering, especially one organized by the members of a particular club or group.
Access: the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place.
Impact: the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.
Population: is the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or region.
Population growth: Population growth is the increase in the number of individuals in a population.
