MODEBELU M. N.^1,, DUVIE A. N.¹

The study assessed the influence of environmental hazards on the development of rural communities in Abia state. The population of the study was one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two (1,772) executive members in one hundred and seventy-five (175) Community Development Associations. A sample of five hundred and nine (509) executive members from seventy (70) Community Development Associations was drawn through proportionate stratified sampling technique. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Researchers’ self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. It was face and content validated by two experts in Educational Administration and Educational Measurement/Evaluation from Abia State University, Uturu. The reliability of the instrument was pilot-tested on 25 executive members of Ayamele and Ifite-Ogwari Community Development Associations, both are Local Government Areas in Anambra State. Reliability coefficient of 0.88 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha estimate. Data from the research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Also, the null hypotheses were tested for using t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed the influence of deforestation, agricultural development and industries and technology on the environment. The study therefore recommended among others that Abia State Government should organize seminars, workshop and conferences for Community Development Associations Executive Officers and other community leaders on the issues concerning environmental protection.

environment, health hazards, community, rural community, development, Nigeria