Road Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth in Local Government Areas of Edo State

This study examines the relationship between road infrastructure development at the local government level and economic growth in selected local government areas of Edo State, South South Nigeria. Road infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for economic activity, connecting markets, facilitating agricultural produce movement, and enabling access to social services. Despite its importance, many local government areas in Edo State struggle with poorly maintained and underfunded road networks that impede commerce and community development. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, with primary data collected from 200 respondents including market traders, transport operators, farmers, and local government works officers across five selected local government areas. The Infrastructure-Led Growth Theory and the Public Goods Model frame the analysis. Secondary data includes Edo State Ministry of Works reports, World Bank infrastructure assessments for Nigeria, and recent academic literature on transport and development. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis are used. Findings are expected to demonstrate a significant positive correlation between road quality improvements and commercial activity indices such as market revenue, freight costs, and business establishment rates. Recommendations include dedicated road maintenance funds at the local government level, community road monitoring committees, and increased federal road transfer grants to states. Keywords: Road infrastructure, economic growth, local government, Edo State, South South Nigeria.