This study classifies the selected rural settlements on the basis of
available infrastructure .To achieve this aim, 22 rural settlements
were randomly selected. The cluster analysis was applied on the data
in order to group the rural settlements on the basis of their
infrastructure profiles. Thus the hierarchical method of cluster
analysis was applied using version 16.0 of SPSS package. The study
revealed that three groups of settlements labelled A, B and C was
produced by the hierarchical clustering technique based on
availability of infrastructure. It was observed that although the quantity of infrastructure varied among the settlements, group B
settlements consisting of Doko, Enagi, Kuta, Maikunkele, Paiko,
Sabon Wuse, Sarkin Pawa and Wawa seem to have more
infrastructure than group A and C settlements. Group A settlements
consisting of Agwara, Gawu Babangida, Gulu, Lemu, Nasko, Tegina
and Tunga Magajiya appear to have more provision of infrastructure
compared to group C settlements. On the other hand, group C
settlements consisting of Baddegi, Bangi, Gbajibo, Kutiriko, Mashegu,
Rafin Gora and Wushishi appear to be the least in terms of provision
of infrastructure. There is the need to sustain the Ward Development
Projects which was introduced in 2008 by the Niger State government.
It is suggested that the monthly allocation to the wards be increased,
while more community participation in project initiation,
identification, monitoring, implementation and evaluation should be
encouraged.