LOCATIONAL PATTERN OF MARKETS IN BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

This research work examines the locational pattern of markets in Benin City. Markets’ hierarchies (sizes), types, periodicity, and days of operations as well as ranks of the types of commodity markets are considered. In executing this research work, a total of one hundred and sixty-five (165) copies of a well-structured questionnaire was administered based on the total numbers of stalls in each market, whereby the judgmental non-probability sampling technique was employed to collect data on the hierarchies (sizes), types, periodicity, and days of operations of markets as well as the goods available in the markets. The copies of questionnaire were administered in the three Local Government Areas (Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha) using the multistage-cluster sampling technique. A handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to take the coordinates of each market which were inputted into a digitized map of Benin City on the ArcGIS 10.1 software to produce various types of maps. The spatial distribution of markets was analysed using; nearest neighbour analysis which was measured using the ArcGIS 10.1 software. The finding of the nearest neighbour ratio is 0.95 which indicates that the distribution pattern of markets in Benin City is random. This means that these markets emerged as a result of need rather than the intentionality of the government in establishing these markets. This research also reveals that there are commodity, cattle and automobile spare parts markets, which are the three categories of markets. It also revealed that there are regular and periodic markets, which are the two types of markets in the study area. It was recommended that the government should construct a motorable road to Evbuotubu market.