Governance and Infrastructure Development in Resource-Rich Regions: Assessing the Role of Political Elites in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Amos; Kenneth Gwediananie

doi:10.56201/jpslr.vol.12.no9.2026

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Governance and Infrastructure Development in Resource-Rich Regions: Assessing the Role of Political Elites in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Amos, Kenneth Gwediananie

Abstract

Resource-rich regions often possess substantial fiscal resources yet continue to experience infrastructure deficits, raising concerns about how resource revenues are translated into public goods. This study assessed infrastructural development in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, identified major constraints, and examined the role of political elites in infrastructure provision. The study was guided by the Marxian Political Economy Approach, which emphasizes the influence of resource control, political power, and resource distribution on development outcomes. A survey research design was adopted using primary and secondary data from all eight Local Government Areas. A sample of 400 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, with purposive sampling employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, key- informant interviews, government appropriation records, and relevant literature and analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentages, and content analysis. Findings indicate improvements in infrastructure, particularly in education and healthcare, although provision remains uneven and concentrated around Yenagoa. Government-related factors were identified as the leading constraint by 217 respondents (55.1%), followed by environmental/topographical factors (157; 39.8%) and community-related factors (20; 5.1%). Key challenges included policy discontinuity, political and bureaucratic corruption, difficult terrain, inadequate skilled personnel, weak internally generated revenue, and limited community participation. The study concludes that political elites significantly influence infrastructure outcomes through prioritization, resource allocation, implementation, and accountability. It recommends stronger accountability, policy continuity, decentralized planning, improved fiscal management, and inclusive community participation.

Keywords

Governance; Political elites; Infrastructure developmentResource-rich regionsNiger Delta

References

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Governance and Infrastructure Development in Resource-Rich Regions: Assessing the Role of Political Elites in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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