IMPACT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION ON RURAL COMMUNITIES: A STUDY OF UMUNEKE AND OJEBE-OGENE CLANS, UDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of rural- urban migration in rural communities of Umuneke and Ojebe Ogene  in Enugu State. Rural –urban migration in a colonial phenomenon which arose with the establishment of urban centres in colonized societies. These urban centres served as collection centres for the raw material for which the colonial masters invaded Africa and other less technologically developed societies. Natives were  thus attracted to the urban centres to help the colonial masters to organize the raw materials for transportation to Europe. Four research questions were posed and some migration theories reviewed to guide the study. The methodology used was the survey research design using the questionnaire to collect data from a large number respondents from the study area within the shortest possible time. Simple descriptive statistics (frequency table and percentages) were used to analyze the data. It was found out that rural-urban migration really existed in the area of study as young men mostly were fascinated to the new urban centres by the new kind of paid employment, and facilities like electricity, pipe-borne water, health and recreational facilities. The consequences were shortage of able to bodied young men for labour in the villages, and high cost of labour. There were  also social-cultural consequences such as the disruption of village activities and  erosion of kinship solidarity which existed among the villagers. It is hereby recommended that Government should give attention to rural communities and establish employment opportunities in the form of a agro-allied industries, amenities like pipe-borne water, electricity , recreation and health facilities as well as  education facilities should be provided and finally agriculture should be modernized by mechanization by providing modern farm implements and technologies.