RURAL ROAD TRANSPORTATION AND ITS EFFECTS: THE CASE OF MELKA BELO WOREDA, EAST HARERGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing rural road transportation and its effects in the study areas. In order to accomplish the intended objectives descriptive survey research design were employed. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. About 336 sample sizes were selected from 2665 total household for target population by using simple random sampling techniques. The primary data were collected from 336 sample households using questionnaires, interview from key informants and field observation by the researcher. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were employed. It was observed from the result of the study, that there were great variation in provision of social services like education, health center, market center and improvement of agricultural productions as well as travel time and ways of mobility among society of the study areas with access to road and poor access to road transportation. Access to road transportation have positive effects on socio-economic developments while inaccessible road transportation have negative effects that affects the overall life condition of the population. In general, the study shows that there were positive relationships between accessibility of road transportation and socio-economic development. It is therefore recommended that interventions in the transport sector should include provision of rural roads as well as measures that will help improve accessibility of rural road and transport services in rural areas