ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS OF ROAD CONNECTIVITY PATTERN ON THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Purpose: Assessing the general circulation system in Akwa Ibom State cannot be overemphasized. This study aimed at assessing the effect of road connectivity pattern on the physical development in the study area.

Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this, two sets of data on road connectivity and physical development were collected. These involves data on the length of roads in each local government area were computed i.e. the independent variable (x) and data on the level of physical development in each local government area was collected. This centered on physical infrastructure available in these areas which was considered on 16 measurable variables i.e. dependent variables (y): data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation.

Findings: The result revealed that there is positive relationship between road connectivity and physical development. This means that as connectivity increases M = 1.0727, physical development also increases M = 35.267. It indicates that the relationship is statistically significant r = 0.898 p <0> 

Originality/value: It was conclude that road connectivity level has a positive relationship with physical development in Akwa Ibom State. It was also established that about 86% of the growth that occurs in the physical development in the study area is derived from the increase in the road connectivity level in the study area. It was observed that there were some lagging areas in road connectivity. The study recommended that there should be increased in road connectivity in the lagging areas to increase physical development in the area.