The Effect of The Availability of Essential Goods and Services in Quality of Life Variations Amongst Selected Local Communities

This paper examined the availability of essential goods and services, and it's impact on variations in quality of life amongst communities. To achieve its aim, two key objectives and a hypothesis was proposed. The study was conducted in fifteen (15) purposively selected communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Survey method was used to collect primary data; a questionnaire was administered on 120 respondents to illicit useful information. Both descriptive and statistical methods were utilized to analyse collected data. The outcome of descriptive analyses showed inadequacies in availability of essential goods and services in the communities, which impacts on quality of life. Also, results of the statistical analysis of a paired T-test showed that F-ratio calculated 5.520 was greater than tabulated value 1.1771 and also the P-value 0.000 was less than the significant 0.005; showing significant relationship between the availability of essential goods and services and quality of life. Similarly, the correlation of the paired sample variables of goods and services and quality of life with 0.853 coefficient indicated a high correlation between the two pairs. Consequently, we recommend that Government and development partners embark on rural infrastructure development programmes; provide health and educational facilities and other basic amenities; encourage the agricultural sector and train rural dwellers on vocations and capacity building initiatives to improve their quality of life and environmental sustainability.