Poverty And Crime In Old Port-Harcourt Township, Rivers State.
Dr. IYAYE, Joseph Nyengiala
Faculty of Humanities, department of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, P.M.B. 5047, Rumuolumeni, Iwofe Port-Harcourt Rivers State
Dr. AIYENIGBA, Kate Charles
Faculty of Humanities, department of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, P.M.B. 5047, Rumuolumeni, Iwofe Port-Harcourt Rivers State.
Abstract
The study examines Poverty and Crime in Old Port-Harcourt Township in Rivers State. The interest is on how poverty has led to crime in the study area. The study is guided by four research questions, and adopted Anomie theory by Emile Durkheim & Strain theory developed from Anomie by Robert K Merton (1893) as the theoretical framework. The study utilized descriptive qualitative research design, where both primary and secondary data were utilized. The population of the study is 319,700 with a sample size of 178 using an interview schedule to elicit data from respondents. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Person Interview (KPI) was applied for data collection with Purposive and snowballing sampling methods used in selecting participants for this study. Data is analyzed thematically, the study concludes that the provision of basic amenities should be critically looked into to better the living conditions of those in the slums. The government should improve on wages of workers with good remuneration, create jobs by building manufacturing companies for youths, Scholarships should be awarded to brilliant students to further their educations to desired levels, Lastly, restructuring, embankment construction, and reclaiming to decongest the study areas, as well as peace talk to reach a consensus.