IMPACT OF POOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ON HOUSING INVESTMENT IN OWERRI URBAN, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract PURPOSE: The study investigated the impact of road infrastructure on housing investment in Imo State, Nigeria. DESIGN: A questionnaire survey was used to garner information from the respondents. A total of 104 respondents that comprised three different disciplines in the property market, vis-a-vis estate surveyors and valuers, and housing developers and investors were used for this purpose. Data collected were presented using descriptive statistics tools such as tables and percentages. FINDINGS: The study indicates that poor road infrastructure has continued to be a setback to housing development and investment in Imo State, Nigeria. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The finding has implications on the property market as it provides evidence that suggests a deficit in their quest for enhancing housing delivery and competitiveness of the industry at large. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper provides empirical evidence that poor road infrastructure is a major inhibitor towards housing investment and authorities concern should address this shortcoming. As this would cause dearth in the quest for improved housing delivery, investment and real estate market at large, in Imo state Nigeria.