DIRECTORATE FOR FOODS,ROADS AND RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE(DFRRI) Many programmes of the Nigerian government had varied impact on poverty alleviation. The DFRRI was established in 1986 by Gen. Babangida to enhance rural development. This was meant to provide feeder roads, electricity, and potable water and toilet facilities for the rural dwellers. the establishment of the Directorate of Food, roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI)was not only a radical departure from the previous programmes, but also recognized the complementariness associated with basic needs such as food, shelter, potable water, etc.
DFRRI had tremendous impact on the rural areas. For instance, between the time of inception in 1986 and 1993, DFRRI had completed over 278,526 km of roads. Over5,000 rural communities benefited from its rural electrification programme (See CBN Annual Reports).
This integrated approach to rural development, no doubt, provided for the necessary basic infrastructures that can stimulate the growth of agro – allied small – scale enterprises in rural areas. Furthermore, DFRRI impacted positively on food production. For instance, there was a steady and significant rise in agricultural output as shown by the index of agricultural production between 1986 and 1993 (CBN, Statistical Bulletin, December 1998). However, DFRRI could not achieve many of its objectives due to many factors which include lack of standards for project harmonization and effective mechanisms for co-ordination among the three tiers of government and between DFRRI and the levels of government (CBN Bauchi Zone; and Enugu Zone, 1998). Hence, with time DFRRI could not sustain the tempo with which it started, and it ended up not living up to expectation and became defunct (National Planning Commission, 1994). The projects gulped N1.9b ( about N80 billion today 's value ) without Nigerians benefiting from them.
It is noteworthy that the post fourth
References: 1. CBN(1991),annual reports and statements of accounts, Central Bank Of Nigeria. 2. CBN(1992),annual reports and statements of accounts, Central Bank Of Nigeria. 3. CBN(1993),annual reports and statements of accounts, Central Bank Of Nigeria. 4.Adelana O. O. (2003) "Budgeting for Roads Infrastructure. 5 .Ajani T. (2001): "Past, Present and Future of Highway Management in Nigeria" 6.Okafor F.C. 1985. “Basic Needs in Rural Nigeria.” Social Indicators Research, 17: 115-125. Olatunbosun, D. 1975. Nigeria’s Neglected Rural Majority.