GEOSPATIAL MAPPING OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURES IN AJAKA, IGALAMELA/ODOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA. KOGI STATE.

Infrastructure plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development and sustainable planning of any community. However, in many semi-urban and rural areas of Nigeria, including Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, spatial data on infrastructure is either lacking or poorly managed. This study employed Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to conduct a comprehensive geospatial mapping and analysis of key infrastructures within Ajaka. Field data were collected using GPS, while high-resolution satellite imagery was utilized to support spatial analysis in ArcGIS software. A total of 31 infrastructures comprising educational institutions, health centers, religious buildings, water sources, administrative offices, and road networks were mapped, classified, and analyzed based on ownership, condition, and functionality. The results revealed that most of the infrastructures are government-owned and concentrated along the major expressway. While a few facilities were found to be in good physical condition, a significant number require urgent maintenance. Spatial queries performed in ArcGIS also identified two infrastructures as non-functional, indicating service delivery gaps. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of GIS in visualizing and analyzing infrastructure distribution, thereby enabling more informed decisions in local development planning. The outputs comprising thematic maps and spatial databases provide a baseline for future infrastructure expansion, monitoring, and equitable resource allocation. It is recommended that local authorities adopt GIS for infrastructure auditing and planning to improve transparency and service efficiency in semi-urban areas like Ajaka.