STREET VENDING AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN MINNA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Poverty is multidimensional in nature, and is a major problem facing almost all the countries. Countries all over the world have tried to reduce the rate of poverty using several measures, but little or no results yield. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of street vending on poverty reduction in Minna metropolis. Using a set of structured questionnaire of 286 street vendors in Minna metropolis. The objectives of the are in two fold, firstly the study examine the poverty status of the respondents. Using regression analysis, the R2 value of 0.13 shows that 13 percent variation in the dependent variable (poverty) is explained by the explanatory variables (street vending components), while the remaining 87 percent was accounted for with the variables not mention in the model the study shows that out of (8) eight factors considered for this study only (4) four were statistically significant, these are age, gender, household size and educational status. Secondly, the study examines the impact of street vending on poverty reduction, using regression analysis. The component of street vending considered were physical environment sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability, the study revealed that none of the components were statistically significant to poverty reduction, thus go contrary to our a priori expectation. Based on the result of this study, the following recommendation were suggested in other to improve the poverty status of the people of the study area. The government of the study area should try as much as possible provide a conducive environment for not only traders in the study area, but for all businesses in the area, this will go a long way in improving wellbeing of the citizen. It is also recommended that, provision of social amenities should be provided in the study area, this will also improve the welfare of the citizen of the study area, and it will reduce the spending of the little income generated from trading on servicing these amenities. There is need for the government to come to the aid of all petty traders inform of soft loan in the study area, this will also improve the wellbeing of the people in the study area and as well moving them out of poverty.