1
PHILIP OWAJIOBORO PHILIP
PG/M.SC/Ph.D/08/48991
PG/M. Sc/09/51723
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS CATALYST FOR GRASS ROOTS
EMANCIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
NSUKKA
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
MARCH, 2009
Webmaster
Digitally Signed by Webmaster’s Name
DN : CN = Webmaster’s name O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka
OU = Innovation Centre
2
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY AS CATALYST FOR GRASS ROOTS EMANCIPATION &
DEVELOPMENT
BY
PHILIP OWAJIOBORO PHILIP
PG/M.SC/Ph.D/08/48991
FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
MARCH, 2009
i
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY AS
CATALYST FOR GRASS ROOTS
EMANCIPATION & DEVELOPMENT
BY PHILIP OWAJIOBORO PHILIP
PG/MSC/Ph.D/08/48991
SUBMITTED TO THE
FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE, OF MASTER
OF SCIENCE (MSC) IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
MARCH, 2009.
ii
CERTIFICATION
Philip, Owajioboro Philip, a post graduate student of the
Department of Public Administration and local Government of the
University
of
Nigeria-Nsukka
PG/M.Sc/Ph.D/08/48991
course-work
and
thesis
has
as
with
Registration
satisfactorily
required
by
regulation.
Philip, Owajioboro Philip
Date
Prof. C.N. Oguonu
Project Supervisor
Date
completed
the
No.
his
Postgraduate
iii
DEDICATION
In obedience to His Excellency, and in realization of His
goodness and infinite mercies upon me and my family in course
of this journey, I dedicate this work to God Almighty, for His
grace, favour and protection.
iv
APPROVAL
This research work has been approved for the Department
of Public Administration and local Government, University of
Nigeria, Nsukka, for the (M.Sc) Degree.
Prof. (MRS) C.N. OGUONU
Date
Project Supervisor
Prof. FAB O. ONAH
Date
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
PALG.
Prof. B.C Ezeani
Date
Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences
External Supervisor
Date
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The researcher is grateful to his Supervisor, Prof. C.
Oguonu. The researcher also acknowledge the patience and
tolerance exhibited by my wife, Mrs. Mabel Kenealagba Ogobiri,
my children, Gogo Ataijay Philip, Precious Philip and Fortune
Philip for their ability to bear my absence and hardship resulting
from my academic sourjourn.
The researcher is to my parents for their help to ensure the
successful completion of the programme despite the devastating
situation they faced due to this academic programme.
The
researcher
specially
wish
to
acknowledge
my
indefatigable, challenging and most capable lecturers, namely
Professor F.C. Okoli, Dr. M.A.O. Obi, Dr. C.U. Agalamanyi, Dr.
M.O. Ikeanyibe, Prof. Fab O. Onah and Olisakwe Dan S.A among
others.
The same gratitude goes to friends and Associates, for their
enormous moral assistance during this challenging period. They
include the Rivers State NUJ Chairman, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, G.M
of RSBC Ms Mediline Tador, DNCA of RSBC Ms Lizzy Wilfred
Fombo, Secretary NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley, Ibituru Pepple,
Cordinator, IIJ Rivers State Campus, Mrs. Ijeoma Tubosia, Lekia
Anya, Alhaji Ngerebo Douglas and Miss Nkiru Nnadi and other
members of the integrity group, as well as some of my fellow
students like, Mr. Kingdom Unwene, and Prince Alali Kenobi and
others.
P.O. PHILIP
PG/MSC/Ph.D/08/48991
UNN-NSUKKA
vi
ABSTRACT
This study was to ascertain the level of infrastructural and man
power development by the Local Government Authority in the
Rural Areas especially in Rivers State. In carrying out this work a
survey method of research was adopted and as such 6 Local
Government Areas were randomly selected and a total of 102
questionnaires
were
designed
and
distributed.
Seventeen
questionnaires were distributed to each of the 6 selected Local
Governments. Out of the numbers of questionnaires distributed
82 were returned upon which the analysis of the study was
conducted.
Six
Research
questions
were
used
for
the
presentation of the analysis for this work, with the use of
frequency table and percentage distribution. The finding revealed
poor development of the rural Areas. A lot of factors were
identified to be responsible for the poor development of rural
communities in the state. To tackle the in-balances, a lot of
Remedies were recommended for infrastructural and man power
development of the Rural Communities in the Local Government
Areas of Rivers State.
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page -
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i
Approval/certification
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ii
Dedication
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Declaration
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iv
Acknowledgment
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v
Abstract
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vi
Table of contents
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vii
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1
1
8
10
12
13
14
16
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18
18
24
28
29
29
30
32
34
35
37
40
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iii
CHAPTER ONE
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
Introduction
Background to the study
Statement of the problem
Objective of the study
Significance of the study
Scope of the study Theoretical framework
Definition of terms -
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Meaning of local government
2.3 Need for local government 2.4 Development needs 2.5 Local government structure 2.6 Local government components 2.7 Local government criticisms
2.8 The Modern role for local government
2.9 Place shaping
2.10 Democracy and Development 2.11 Local government in Nigeria
Summary & Appraisal of Literature -
viii
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
Research Design
Location of the study Sample Techniques- Data Collection Population of the study
Instrument for data collection
Validation of instrument
Administration of Instrument
Data Analysis
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-
-
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-
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42
43
44
45
45
46
47
47
48
CHAPTER FOUR:
DATA PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION OF
FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Respondent sex 4.3 Respondents age distribution
4.4 Respondents educational qualification
4.5 Result
4.6 Number of questionnaires administered 4.7 Distribution of finding
4.8 Distribution of responses on local government
Operationalization 4.9 Distribution of Response on political office holders- 4.2.1 Distribution of responses on the bureaucrats- 4.2.2 Distribution of responses on the activities of rural
Dwellers 4.3.3 Analysis/Discussion of finding s
-
49
50
50
51
51
52
52
54
55
55
56
57
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION &
RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 5.2 Recommendation
5.3 Suggestion for further studies Bibliography
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58
59
60
61
1
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The invaluable contributions of local governments in the
development
of
the
rural
communities
can
not
be
over
emphasized.
Rural development as a matter of fact is an inner emotion
and commitment of the leadership of such council. Local
government council (Authority stand for the integration of the
people at that level into the plans and policies of government at
both the states and federal Governments.
The expectation of the people from council demands the
outward, visible and tangible manifestation of the well beings in
such areas or communities.
Therefore, it became imperative to take a look at why the
rural areas which supposed to be the main reasons for local
Government creation are neglected in terms of development
within means to come out with solution.
The back ground of the study identifies the invaluable roles
the local Government Authorities can play as catalyst in the
emancipation and development of the grass roots as well as
2
changing the life‟s of rural dwellers, through infrastructural and
manpower development.
There are three Schools of thought on Local Government
These three schools represents the theories of the evolution
of the concept of local Government Administration. The theories;
talks about efficient service delivery.
The
advocates
of
this
theory
established
three
core
arguments for local Government. They are of the opinion that the
local Government should provide an affordable opportunity for
the participation of the people at the grass roots levels in politics,
and ensure efficient service delivery.
It calls for the demolition of the expression of tradition of
opposition to an overly centralized government which to them
makes
the
local
government
autonomous,
multi
purpose
institution that should provide for a range of services with tax
capability and capacity to carry out services.
It also provide them (rural people) the opportunity through
election to have a representative who oversees and lobby for
projects and investments for the rural areas.
3
The theory of welfare state, regards the efficiency value of
local government authority as strongest in the modern local
government system.
Sharpe, (1979) put forward five roles which a local
Government should play. Thy include coordination, reconciling of
communities
opinion,
consumer
pressure
group,
agent
of
responding to rising demands and counter weight to incipient
syndication.
How ever, Hill, (1974) warns that Local Government runs
the risk if it neglects the involvement of the public in a
meaningful way.
To be effective provider of services, the Local Government
Authorities must be more than efficient. Theory of power
diffusion according to G. Jones and Stewart opined that the local
government must ensure that resources can be better marched to
the diversity of needs of the rural communities. It is local and
therefore must be closer to the people.
Due to the disturbing scenario created by this hydra
headed cankerworm, it became pertinent to know what local
government stands for.
4
In the simplest language, local government means the
management of local affairs by the people of a locality. Locality
therefore stands for a restricted area like a village, a group of
villages, towns or city.
A town or city, a village or district are allowed by law to
Administer their local services through owned direct efforts or
local authority in a manner suiting local needs peculiarities and
wishes.
In essence, such authority enjoys an autonomous status
which entitled it to take certain legislative, administrative and
financial decisions including budgeting, though under the
conditions and within the limits of law.
Agbakoba and Ogbonna (2004: P.2) define local government
from the legal perspective, they see it as a political administrative
unit that is empowered by law to administer a specific locality.
The UN Division of public administration observed that local
government is a political sub unit of a nation be it a federal
system, a state which is controlled by local affairs, including the
powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for pres-prescribed
purposes.
5
The governing body of such entity is elected or otherwise
locally selected as opined in Awofeso, (2005: P. 98). Akpan (1967:
P. 50) says local government implies the breaking down of a
country into smaller units or localities for the purpose of
administration in which the inhabitants of the different units or
locality concerned play a direct and full part through their
elected representatives.
Irrespective of the perspectives, the following things are
certain. First, local government is a level of government with
assigned legislative and executive powers to execute and make
policies covering a particular local government
Second, the constitution provides for its establishment,
defines its structures, functions, powers and sources or revenue.
Third, relationship between the local government and
central or state governments is clearly stated in the constitution.
Fourth,
in
a
federal-state
like,
U.S.A
or
Nigeria,
local
governments are constitutionally recognized as the third tier of
government
while
in
a
unitary
state
like
Britain,
local
governments is an extension of the central government. It is in
this light, that the enabling laws of the local government
compelles it to substantially reduce poverty rate on the grass
6
roots through the provision of essential amenities such as
Education to alleviate illiteracy which is synonymous with
poverty. When poverty is absent or near absent in the society it
implies or suggests that the people are developed.
According
to
Ihejiamanze,
E.C.
(1995:P.13)
the
enhancement of the rural dwellers should be through granting
them access to productive resources like social welfare and other
infrastructural
facilities
which
he
said
increases
their
productivity and ability to provide for themselves some good
things of life.
He further suggest that increase in participation of the rural
people in political and economic decision making impart
positively in their lives and the future of the society.
The desire to strengthen local government and thus make it
a veritable organ for development has a long history around the
world. Its philosophic roots can be traced to the works of
Rousseau and that of Alexis De Touqueville. Rousseau‟s works
focused on the discussion on how government ought to be set up
and run if they are to be good government, that is, when the
reason for government is aimed for the common good and is
wholly supported by all citizens of good will (Thomson, 1968).
7
Rousseau‟s ideal state is a very small, compact, more like the tiny
Greek states of old. Alexis De Touqueville (1969) on the other
hand was fascinated by the nature of America‟s democracy and
public administration. This arose from his visit to the United
State of America (U.S.A.) and the realization that the citizens
were very much involved in the management of their government
whether at the local, municipal or at the metropolitan levels.
History abound within the African continent to prove that
organized state structures existed in most parts of Africa
hundreds of years before its social structure was laid waste by
slavery and colonialism according to Johnston (1998).
These
states,
under
hereditary
monarchies,
were
characterized by complex intuitions such as age-based military
conscription, taxation, advisory structures, an education system,
a judicial system, markets and so on.
The experience of many African countries with the style of
adopting the system of government inherited from their colonial
masters has often turned out to be a failure (Green, 1995;
Wunsch and Olowu, 1009). Several reasons account for the
failure, ranging from a combination of uninhibited particularism
such as corruption, incapacity to resolve social conflict
peacefully,
external
pressure
and
intervention,
technological, outclassing and economic incompetence.
rapid
8
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The
responsibility
of
local
Government
Authority
as
perceived catalyst for grass roots emancipation and development
have been thwarted by some hydra headed canker warms
especially in the Nigerian Local Government system.
These identified hindrances like corruption among those in
Authority, poor managerial abilities or skill on those holding
positions
of
authority
and
policy
problem
in
the
Local
Government can be pointed as reasons for poor result.
There is no gain saying the fact, that the imposition of
unpopular
or
unqualified
candidate
for
leadership
during
elections or appointment greatly affect the foundation of local
Government Administration.
This is so because such personnel may not be capable of
mobilizing local participation in governance but rather look up to
those that made him.
Therefore, when the local people are not allowed to
participate in the governmental affairs of the local government
system which ordinarily should be the constituency of all rural
dwellers such system is bound to neglect its traditional role and
the result should be poor administration. To unravel these, the
9
researcher posed the following questions enable him investigate
whether the identified problems are the reasons for lack of rural
emancipation and development.
1. What are the levels of corruption in the
local government
system and how does it affect the development of the rural
Areas?
2. What are the difficulties in justifying the allocation meant for
the development of the rural Areas?
3. How does management role hamper the judicious use of
public funds in the local government system in respect to
rural development?
4. To what extent does due-process and budgetary polices of the
councils negate rural development?
5. What is the local government policies on rural development
and how committed are those in leadership position towards
developing the rural Areas?
6. How does unpopular and unqualified personnel mount the
position of authority in councils?
7. How can rural development be enhanced in the local
government system?
10
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
What is uppermost in the minds of every researcher is to
proffer solution to an identified and existing problems by
suggesting ways of solving the problem.
According to Obi, (2004: p. 24) the major worries of the
social sciences is finding of solutions to specific practical societal
problems emanating from human behaviour and institutional
process.
In this research work the followings are pin-pointed as the
objectives and so being investigated to know how they are
problems to local government authority in performing its
traditional
functions
of
grass
roots
emancipation
and
development.
1. To investigate the levels of corruption in the local government
system and how it affects the emancipation and development
of the rural Areas.
2. To ascertain the difficulties in justifying the huge allocation
meant for the development of the rural Areas.
3. To investigate how management roles hampers the judicious
utilization of public funds in local government system in
respect to rural development.
11
4. To know whether lack of due-process
and poor budgetary
policies in the local government system thwarts development
and emancipation of the rural Areas.
5. To
ascertain
the
local
government
policies
on
rural
development and to what extents the councils are committed
to development of the rural Areas.
6. To investigate whether the imposition of unpopular and
unqualified personnel in authority are hindrance to local
government councils development of the rural communities.
7. To find out whether rural development can be enhanced by
the enthronement of a qualified and popular person in
authority.
12
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The research work will be of immense importance and value
to both scholars, educationists, institution of higher learnings
and even the local governments alike as a referencing material
because it could be a tool for teaching local government
administrative students.
It will equip administrators on the councils managerial skills.
It will effectively enhance local councils administrators on how to
imbibe development oriented strategies for the emancipation and
development of rural communities.
The study will expose the relevance of an effective management of
local councils in Rivers state and it will be of help to policy
makers, to engineer the system.
The
study
identifies
the
local
government
council
authorities as catalyst for development of the rural communities
because of its proximity to the rural people.
13
1.5
SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Since it will be totally impossible to study the entire
universe and coupled with the fact that social science research
depend largely on sample or a given population or situation as
representing the area, it is measured strictly in terms of typical
characteristics of the entire population.
Oguonu and Anugwom (2006:p.22) stipulates that research
is a system a researcher use in arriving at decision regarding the
study scope, instrument and size. Therefore, the scope and
limitation of this study was very limited. The work could not go
into the entire local government councils which may be too vast.
But Rather restrict the study to some local government councils
in Rivers state. However, many limiltations were encountered by
the researcher in course of this study.
So far, the scope and size of the study was spread through
the man-power strength of these L.G.As and the effectiveness of
policy making and implementation by the authority on the
development of the rural communities under the councils.
However, the study has observed that the non-development
and man-power generation was as a result of incompetence and
lack of managerial ability on the authority.
14
1.6 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
In the fashion of Herbert A. Simon viewed in Okoli F.C.
“Theory and practice of organization” state that decision is a
drawn conclusion from one set of premise. That is a conclusion
drawn from the hypothesis validated by the mass of evidence
made available to decision makers at the time of his choice.
At the time of decision both the factual or instrumental
elements and the value or preference elements points of direction
of the conclusion is reached.
This decision to all intent and purposes is regarded as
immensely irrational because the decision makers acted in the
only way they ought to take the only logical step that is the end
result of a series of mean-end interaction.
The quest for proper solution to the problem of non
development at the grass roots based on irrational or rational
decisions of the decision makers further stagnated research.
A Appadorai (1974: p.19) in his social contract theory state
thus “The creation of state, local government is an agreement
entered into by men who originally had no governmental
organization. He said the history of the world is divisible into two
clear periods namely” period before state or and after.
15
In the first period, there was no law which could be enforced
by a coercive authority. It was said that in a state of nature men
were subjected only to such regulations as nature was supposed
to prescribe but also there was no human authority to formulate
these rules precisely or to enforce them.
But after sometimes, man decided to set up government
thereby parted ways with their natural liberty and agreed to obey
the laws prescribed by man who is the government.
Evidently, the neglect of rural areas by governments on the
grounds
that
the
communities
are
far
from
the
central
governments gave rise to the creation of the local government
councils and charged with the responsibilities of developing the
grassroots.
Therefore, the failure of local government councils in its
duty in developing the rural areas is traced to human factors.
16
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
This draw clearer picture or meaning to some regularly used
words in public administration as used by the researcher.
Development: This refers to the process of bringing about
enduring change or improvement in the structure and status of a
person or place. It also mean the productivity or output enhanced
vis-avis technology and techniques of production to be radically
revolutionize in the interest of the people especially at the rural
areas.
Infrastructure: Those physical or basic amenities provided by a
government to change the fortune or status of a place eg, roads,
water, electricity and healthcare.
Administrator: Those civil servants vested with responsibility of
carrying our governmental functions.
Policy maker: This refers to those on top of governmental
operation through policy formulation, eg. Elected politicians or
appointed officers.
Grassroots: The most basic level of an activity or organization,
ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization‟s
membership.
17
Bureaucrats: These are top civil servants charged with the
responsibility
of
contributing
in
the
policy
process
of
a
government.
Policy: Is the government decision in plan of action and
execution.
R. Dye refers to policy as whatever government wants or chooses
to do or not to do. In most cases policy are law, judicial decision,
treats, executive rules and orders. Also local government
ordinances, administrative decisions or any rule or conducts
which supports the enforcement of powers of the principal
system.
18
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Local government has historically provided services of
importance to its citizens in rural and urban areas of Nigeria.
These includes, provision of basic amenities like pipe borne
water, roads, health facilities and education but of late, the role
of
local
government
in
providing
these
services
became
questionable and attracted public concerns.
Furthermore, it has generated national crisis as a result of
increasing rate of poverty among rural people. Some critics
viewed the situation at the back drop of poor budgeting, and
implementation, while others sees it as federal and state
government interference.
For purpose of this work, I focused on incompetence and
corruption as it relates to the local governments in Nigeria.
2.2 MEANING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
In
the
simplest
language,
local
government
means
management of the local affairs by the people of a locality.
Locality stands for a restricted area like a village, a group of
villages district, town or cities that are allowed by law to
19
administer them selves through their own direct efforts or local
authority in a manner suiting local need peculiarities and wishes.
In essence, it enjoys an autonomous status which entitles it
to take certain legislative, administrative and financial decisions.
Agbakoba et al (2004: P.2) defined local government from
legal perspective. They see it as a political administrative units
that is empowered by law to administer specific locality. The UN
Division of public administration observe local government as a
political sub unit of a nation which controls its local affairs
including the powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for a
prescribed purposes.
Local government administration is an important sector if
public administration which has to do with management of
public affairs at the grassroots level.
Owing to the indispensable position of local government to
the grassroots it will be imperative to touch on some salient
aspect necessary in course of this study.
The study x-rays such aspects like structure, resources and
functions of the local government to the rural dwellers. As well as
its central – local government relations.
20
It has been observed that the local government cannot be
given a straight jacket definition or one-for-all type of definition.
Golding, L. (1977) defines it as the management of their own
affairs by the people of the locality. Eme Awa sees it as a political
authority for the purpose of dispersing or decentralizing political
powers. These definitions can be seen as deficient for lack of
some ingredients.
Others suggests that local government should be define in
more details to specify its features, such as forms, status, within
a political and administrative framework of a country. The French
tradition, of public administration sees the local government
subject as that, that can be treated in the French prefectorial
system.
But most writers in English tradition simply regards the
French system as an institutional arrangement of the local aim of
the central authority. A more comprehensive and up-to-date
definition of local government is provided by the federal
government of Nigeria (FGN) in the (1976: p.1) year guidelines on
local government reform.
In that document, the federal government define local
government as “government at the local level exercised through
21
representative councils established by law to exercise specific
functions within the defined areas.
From the above definition, it is clear that the local
government
has
a
specific
responsibility
in
providing
governmental services at the sub-national levels which is the
grassroots.
It is also clear that not all the governmental structures that
provides governmental services at the local levels that can be
referred to as local government. There are many arguments about
the role of local government within a political and constitutional
system.
While a complete review of them is beyond the scope of this
study, a brief consideration of some of the main theories will help
us to deliver or set a scene for the discription of the modern role
of local government.
May 2006 report on national prosperity, local choice and
civic engagement approach to seek to deliver the greatest, overall
“welfare” for society from the resource available, a local
government has a set of potential advantages from this
perspective. First by being close to local circumstances and
having local knowledge about the area.
22
Local government can undertake or influence activity more
effectively and efficiently than a national institution which must
always be some what separate from the frontline.
Secondly, since local government should be more accessible
than a national government and are directly concerned only with
one local area, local government can be more engaged with the
local communities and hence more responsive.
Finally and most importantly, local government enables
different communities to choose to have different sorts of services
different levels of taxation and to define acceptable behaviour in
different ways in order to respond to their own needs, preferences
and opinion.
Local government should be the tier of government in which
citizens can most easily get involved because it is physically close
to them and there are more opportunities for engagement or
participation.
For these reasons the local government has been seen as
the arm that is offering opportunities for citizens with the
activities of government and political decision making more easily
than they could at the national level. It enable people at the level
learn fast about the operation of government and society.
23
This was a particular concern in the 19th century as
successive extension of the electoral franchise gave political
power to new section of society.
Indeed, it has been argued that “the central justification for
local government discretion in the British liberal tradition is the
problem of developing a society which could sustain an nurture a
rational morally educated society. To further buttress this fact
about the autonomy of the local government.
R. Wraith (1984) also see local government as “the act of
decentralizing
powers
which
may
take
the
form
of
deconcentration or devolution of authority to field units on the
other hand it refers to it as a transfer of authority to local
government units or special statutory bodies such as schools
boards for fianance.
From this perspective one can see local government as a
lesser power in the national polity. It is an administrative agency
through which control an authority and relates to the people at
the grass roots or periphery.
Emezi (1984) on the other hand perceived local government
as a “system of local
administration under local communities
that are organize to maintain law and order, provide some limited
24
range of social amenities, and encourage cooperation and
participation of inhabitants towards the improvement of their
conditions of living,
It provides the community with formal organizational
framework which enables them to tackle the problem locally.
2.3 NEED FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The subject matter here is usually discussed under the
justification for local government, as to why local government is
needed in the running of affairs of the people at the rural areas of
the nations.
Another question that demand an answer is to know the
function and values of local government in a national‟s
governmental system? Generally, there are three functions
associated with the local government which also constitutes the
needs for its existence in the running or administration of the
nation. These are:
i.
Political functions.
ii.
Administrative functions
iii.
Development functions.
Each of these functional areas can be explained thus.
25
POLITICAL FUNCTIONS
There are different but related perspectives to the political
need for a local governments. First, major perspective is that it
help to promote and expands, the scope for opportunities for
political participation in the public affairs of a nation.
The thrust of the argument is that among the various
institutional arrangement for managing public affairs at the local
levels. It is the local government that provides the people with
more opportunities to be represented and consulted.
According to J.S. Mills, local government is needed to give
them tax payers voice in their governance and for the rural areas
to be properly informed and consulted on issues affecting them.
Apart from creating room for increased opportunities for
mass participation in the government at the grassroots, it also
necessarily for accountability and resource mobilization in in
public administration. Local government also help in training
citizens for higher duties as legislature Mac Denzie, W.J.M.
viewed in Jeremy Bentahm states that the legislators at the
national levels would perform better if they have had a previous
experiences about the local government. The local government
26
can be a source for guide or briefs for ones effective performance
at the national levels.
Richard, observed that the selection of committees in the
British parliament preferred candidates who had once served in
the local government. Some studies of the British system shows
that large proportion of party candidates for parliamentary
positions
be
it
elective
or
appointment
were
from
local
government councilors or served at the local councils in whatever
position furthermore, Daniel Buther in his works says 53 percent
of the labour member of parliaments (MPS) and 45 percent of
defeated labour party candidates in the 1964 British General
Elections were former local government councilors.
ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS
The political needs for local government enjoys every high
regards of the western democratic orientation, which local
government
should
be
seen
first
and
foremost
as
an
administrative institution for efficient provision of services. To
this group, the utility of the local government within the political
and administrative framework of a country should judged by its
services to the people as the grassroots.
27
One
perspective
the
administrative
needs
for
local
government is to promotes and provide efficient services in public
administration. They promotes efficiency in the following two
ways – (i) through the process of decentralization and by
facilitating accountability in the management of public resources
at the local levels. Decentralization, therefore, promotes efficiency
in two ways @ decongestion of the centre, thereby reducing the
burden of activities at that level, leaving the centre with
substantial amount of work which it can most efficiently handle.
Secondly, because local government is closer to the people,
it has more information about their problems and how to manage
them. All things being equal, this kind of knowledge is expected
to give local government an edge over and above agencies of the
central government ministries in the (management) of resources
in dealing with such problems and other centralized agencies of
the central government, is better positioned for efficient and
effective administration of the local resources and provision of
services.
28
2.4 DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
The developing countries of the world have two broad areas
of development problems for which the role of local government is
needed. These are, in the areas of nation building and socioeconomic development. One development area is concerned about
the problem of low level of political integration which its absence
contributes poorly to nation building. In addition to their other
characteristics, the developing counties are plural societies in
which local governments or sectional sentiments are often
stronger than other feelings of attachment to the nation.
Local government contributes to nation-building as an
integral parts of the process of development administration in
several ways.
(i) Constituting an arena where local political expressions
are made, thereby preventing them from building up tensions
because building tensions at that local level can course adverse
dislocation in the central system if not properly checked or
managed.
provide
The role of the local government at this point is to
an
organized
environment
for
discussion
management of relevant national issues at the local levels.
and
29
Henry Madick (1963: P. 1 – 5) concerning socio-economic
development opined that the role of the local government is well
recognized
in
the
growing
literature
on
development
administration. He suggested that decentralization especially at
the local government level can provide a vehicle for effective
development engineering.
2.5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE:
Generally, structure is the organizational framework within
which an institution operates. However, the subject matter of the
local government structure usually touches on the areas of the
organizational components of the local government as an
institution, known as the third tier.
2.6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPONENTS
The local government organizational components with
regards to the subject concerned is the internal organization of
the individual local government authorities. In this case, there is
no blue print used in describing its accuracy, but simply a
pattern has been created as a framework for the activities of the
elected members and paid staff within a system.
A typical model is as shown below.
30
i.
The policy making organ ie the elected.
ii.
The general administration department.
iii.
The treasury department
iv.
The works department and
v.
The various committees systems. On special functions of the
local government.
In this regard therefore, the work of the selected members of
the councils is structured by a complicated pattern of meetings of
the council itself, committee and sub committees while employees
work in different departments which are basically administrative
in nature an hierarchy whose own internal structures contains
selection and grouping of sections with satellite area offices.
The internal organizational structural components is made
up of network of activities constituting what the local government
exist for.
2.7 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CRITICISMS
While political and economic theory sets out a potentially
powerful and important role for the third tier government, the
institution of local government in this country has come for
significant criticisms, particularly in the past three decade.
31
It is worth considering, those challenges for there is much
in them that is valid and needs to be acknowledged in setting out
the role of local government for future local government has been
criticized for being in-efficient and un responsive often as one
part of a inder critique of government or state action in general.
Its critics have argued that, lacking the pressure that comes from
operating in a competitive market, and able to take money from
citizens by compulsion in form of taxation, it has little incentive
to provide services efficiently, or to take pains to ensure that it
provides the services that people wants and in the manner they
want.
These critics fear that governmental bureaucracies, lacking
external challenges are more likely to pursue their own interest
and those of provider and professional groups, rather than the
interests of the citizens.
There sorts of argument formed part of the justification for a
number of reform of government and the public sector, including
the 1980s and 1990s which sought to expose services to greater
competition and stronger accountability.
In a related vein, public choice theories have also argued
that some of the services provided on the basis of collective
32
choices by local government can and should be made subject to
individual choices. Such an approach gets closer to a market
situation by allowing each person to choose what best meets their
needs and creating incentives for providers to be responsive to
users choices, and thus should improve satisfaction and
efficiency.
These theories have supported a number of reforms
introduced by the current government including several in
health, education and housing. There is a long history of support
for the equalization of resources between communities to tackle
deprivation and poverty, often associated with a recognition of
limits of local government as a vehicle for securing those ends,
because of its reliance on unequally distributed local tax
resources.
2.8
THE MODERN ROLE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
We need a new vision for local government role, which
combines its role as a place for discussion, representation and
decision-making with its role as deliverer of the welfare state and
public services, and a desire to achieve efficient and responsive
services and government.
33
The local government as a place-shaping aims to encompass
all these elements. In considering this issues, it is important to
see local government as part of a single system of government,
focused on meeting the needs of the citizens.
The argument in favour of local government as a device for
allocating public resources and effort efficiently to secure the
well-being of citizen remain strong and compelling. The need for
local government to have space and flexibility to act on local
preferences and choices is strengthened by the fact that, while
people have to sought to define measures of well-being, there is
no single definition or blue print for how governments should act
or improve it.
Indeed, there are significant risk in any one person, or
central government or an inspectorate, defining and measuring
well-being as an indicator of success, because all individuals, and
all communities are indifferent. What a community most values
and would benefit from a local government as a point in time will
not necessarily be the same at a different time in a different area.
34
2.9 PLACE-SHAPING
The modern role of local government can be described as
“place-shaping” the creative use of power and influence to
promote the general well-being of a community and its citizen. It
includes the following components:

Building and shaping local identity

Representing the community, including in discussions and
debates with organization and parts of government at local,
regional and national level.

Regulating harmful and disruptive behaviours.

Maintaining
the
cohesiveness
of
the
community
and
supporting debate within it ensuring another voices are heard.

Helping to resolve disagreements, such as over how to
priorities resources between services and areas or where new
housing and development should be located.

Working to make the local economy more successful, to
support the creating of new business an jobs in the area
including making the area attractive to new investments and
skilled workers as well as helping to manage economic change.

Understanding local needs and preference and making sure
that the right services are provided to local people through a
35
variety
of
arrangements
including
collective
purchasing,
commissioning from suppliers in the public, private and
voluntary sectors, contracts or partnerships and direct delivery.
2.10 DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT
It is often argued that governance in Nigeria has failed
especially at the local government level. This is despite the huge
inputs that level of government has received from the center over
the years. This is shown from the astronomic rise in fiscal
allocation from a paltry 3 to 5% in 1976 to 10% in 1981 to as
high as between 20 to 23% presently. This is in addition to 10%
internally generated revenue from the states, together with local
government‟s own internal sources. The reasons why the huge
inputs have not translated into sustainable outputs and desired
outcomes according to Olowu (2002) are:
i)
Lack of clear policy and institutional framework of intergovernmental relations that can ensure that resources
allocated to local governments achieve their socio-economic
objectives.
ii)
The system of local government revenue which makes them
heavily dependent for up to 94% of total revenue on external
36
sources practically exclude the citizens from the budgetary
and governance process.
iii) The present mechanisms for ensuring accountability and
transparency at the local government leave too much power
in the hands of the executive mayor/chairman and less in the
council, the community and the citizenry.
Other reasons can be explained on the problems of
corruption and its heavy toll on governance and on the economy
of Nigeria. Also, the wide gap between the government and the
governed is a contributory factor to the malaise. So also is the
over bloated coterie of political office holders and their hangerson who have to be paid from the purse of local government,
causes a huge drain on the resources of local government. In
simple terms, it can be safetly stated that the cost of governance
has become overbearing on the finances of local government,
such that they have little or nothing left for development
purposes.
37
2.11 LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria the concept of rural development continued to
gain currency from1970.
At the end of the civil war and cessation of hostility in the
country about 1950, the East in 1952, the western region at the
same time, saw local government system as predicated on
preparatory democracy.
The Northern region however, following the conservation
and theocratic orientation imbibed by the people gave the native
authority system created by the colonial administration impectus
as the operative system of administration in the rural areas of the
country.
However, all these began to change with the appearance of
the military in the Nigeria political scene. This was specially so,
before the general Gowon‟s administration as head of state which
eventually demanded introduction of new political arrangement
in the country.
With the introduction of new political system, politicians
from the various regions of the country began to mount pressures
on the government for the sustenance of the policy and
subsequent building of ambition for political position. On noting
38
this spread, with which Nigerian embraces politics, the head of
state immediately cut their ambition short by creating additional
state making it 12 states structure for the country which brought
about the splitting of regions into states for equal participation
and even development.
It was from this period that situation and tendencies
towards a system of administration especially at the rural areas
was conceived and nurtured. This system of administration was
refined and became known as development administration in the
South-Eastern and Midwestern state while the East Central
states operated Divisional Administration.
One central feature of these system of administration
retention and usage of senior civil servants who are referred to as
development officers. In the South-Eastern – Central and mid
western states these officers exercised executive functions of
implementing
development
projects
and
programmes
and
services for the people especially at the grassroots.
But today, several local governments have been created
resulting from the increase in the member of status by successive
administrations in the country especially the military regimes.
39
Contrary to the good intension of the government the local
government system has been designated as a conduit piple for
siphoning money rather than developing the rural areas. Apart
from the direct allocation to the local governments, substantial
amount of money is made available annually as grant for the
training of staff of local governments.
In view of the importance of the local government, as the
bedrock for democracy, there was the creation of 140 local
governments in 1989 and 148 in 1991 summing up the total
number of local governments to 1774.
These efforts were to bring the government nearer to the
grassroots people. The application of the 1988 civil service
reforms in the local governments service was an other measure of
enhancing the status of local governments as the third tier of
government. The step was to professionalize the service of local
governments and to strengthen accountablility.
40
SUMMARY AND APPRAISAL OF LITERATURE REVIEW
Development in any society is an Herculean task, because it
is an organic whole which demands the inputs of all social,
political and economic institutions such as the family, political
party, schools bureaucracy and legislative arms.
To achieve this feet, obviously requires the careful planning
of programme of action of that government which is painstakingly
executed within a long or short period of time because
development is not static but dynamic, ever improving and
continuous. The policies on development are often initiated,
coordinated
and
waste
times
which
other
wise
forms
a
government.
It is a known fact that the parties has its foundation from
the grassroots and there should be no excuse whatsoever to
ignore the grassroots development in the scheme of things but
today, the reverse is the case. From researches carried out it
become crystally clear that development of the community since
1976 point out that the development process of grassroots is in
the hands of bourgeouers and some privileged party stalwarts
who diverts development funds for their personal gains.
41
Mills, on this stand posited that apart from the requirement
for public executive functions for purely local duties, it is equally
relevant and important to exert popular control over them
(authorities) in such a manner that, their original appointment or
election is subject to monitor by the eagle eyes of the people to
ensure that their duties of providing necessary infrastructural
development to the rural people are actualized.
42
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
A research design according to Kerlinger (1966: P. 275) is
seen as plan, structure, and strategy of investigation conceived to
obtain a reply or answer to a research questions and to control
the variance the choice of a research design in any investigation
is determined by the purpose of the study and type and nature of
problem to be investigated. The study a descriptive survey. The
rationale behind using this survey method is to enable the
researcher report things, situations the way they are.
That is why Cohen and Manion – (1980: P. 48) maintained
that historical research is concerned with conditions that exist,
practice that prevails in the past, beliefs, point of view and
attitude.
Dyer (1979: P. 64) also states that historical or descriptive
research design specifically deals with who and to be done. A
common feature of an historical descriptive research is to assess
people attitude, or opinion towards situations.
43
3.2 LOCATION OF THE STUDY
The methodology is the logical step by step approach
adopted by a researcher in a research work to justify its logics.
A research design according to C. Oguono (2006) means a
system that researcher use in arriving at decisions regarding the
study‟s scope, instrument and size. The choice of research design
for use in any investigation depends solely on the purpose of the
study and the type or nature of the problem investigated.
The researcher decides to use percentage method through
the issuance of questionnaires and adopt single random sampling
techniques.
The design shows how the subject of the study is brought
into the scope of the research to produce results. The researcher
intends to collect data from the libraries, interviews, websites,
journals
and
questionnaires
as
his
primary
source
of
information.
The method shall examine the work under the following sub
heading: Research design, data collection method, sample of
population techniques, instrumentation, validation of data,
administration of instruments and data analysis procedure,
44
based on the topic “local government authority as catalyst for
grassroots emancipation and development”
3.3 SAMPLE TECHNIQUES
It is difficult to determine the sample size which will serve
as a good representative of the population of people or the total
number of local governments in Nigeria and Rivers State in
particular.
Nwana (1981: P. 26) says no fixed number of sample is ideal
and no fixed number of percentage is also ideal rather, it is the
circumstances surrounding the study situation that determines
what number or what percentage of the
population the
researcher should use.
In a bid to get the right sample size for the study, the
researcher adopts the Nwana position, which says the population
is a few hundreds, a 40% or more sample will do. If many
hundreds, a 2020 sample will do, if a few thousand, a 10% will
be used and if several thousands a 5% or fewer sample will do.
Consequently, upon the foregoing, the researcher chooses
the sample of one hundred and fifty thousand people in the four
local government areas use as pilot areas.
45
3.4 DATA COLLECTION
This deals with modality adopted by the researcher to get
relevant information or data about the situation or things he/she
chooses to study.
Data simply refer to raw materials or responses from either
at first hand information, second hand or third hand information
or sources it views today through the lens of retrospect.
3.5
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
The population of the study is the rough estimates of
designated communities of the local government areas which
represents the population of the local area where development
was eluded.
Nwana (1981: P. 26) said number of fixed percentage is ideal
rather but that determines what number or what percentage of
the population that should be studied.
In determining the adequate sample size is one of the most
controversial aspects of sampling. The researcher undertook the
study
of
the
general
administrative
processes
in
local
governments‟ areas in River State to identity why there is no
development in the rural communities. The study adopts a
46
random sampling technique of selection of six local government
areas in River State out of 23 local government council areas,
believing these six will justify the purpose of the study.
The random sampling was conducted by writing names of
the 23 local government areas on a piece of neatly cut papers,
thoroughly wrapped and mixed in a basket for selection. Six
people were charged with the responsibilities of picking the
wrapped papers in the basket.
Out of 23 wrapped papers the following six were chosen:
1. Andoni
2. Obio/Akpor
3. Etche
4. Port Harcourt
5. Bonny
6. Okrika Local Government Councils.
3.6 INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION
The instrument used for the research work is based in the
structured questionnaire, and feedback from the interviews. The
questionnaires and interviews seek responses on the local
government authorities as a catalyst for emancipation and
47
development of the grassroots basing on the reason behind the
non development of rural communities by the local councils.
3.7 VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENT
The invalidation of the instrument was certified by the
supervisor by approving the questionnaire. The responses
gathered from the various pilot points, suggestion that were given
by the persons were adopted as operational instruments before
administering the questionnaires.
3.8 ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUMENTS
The instruments were administered to all those concerned
in the chosen local government areas.
The questionnaires were administered to over 50 persons
(staff of the pilot local government areas) for the study.
In all a total of about 70 copies of questionnaires were
administered but so far a total 50 copies was returned with
diverse inputs.
The information contained in the collected copies is validly
utilized in achieving the modus operandi of the study.
48
3.9 DATA ANALYSIS
The collected materials were critically compared and
scrutinized in chapter four where data from the questionnaire is
to be analyzed by using single percentages (x/y X 100/1) and
tabulated.
x – is the dependent variable and y – is the independent
variable. In all I adopted primary and secondary data processes
for the study.
49
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 DATA PRESENTATION
The study centered on “local government authority as
catalyst for grassroots emancipation and development” a study of
selected local government councils of Andomi, Obio/Akpor,
Etche, Port Harcourt, Bonny, and Okrika local government
councils of Rivers State.
The survey techniques of the research was adopted in order
to gather answers to the questions posed.
The obvious intension of this chapter of the research work is
therefore, principally to present the relevant data analysis, and
thereafter afford the researcher the opportunity to discuss the
findings of the research questions.
To properly dig into findings solutions to the problems of
development in the rural areas which is a key responsibilities of
the local government authorities a total of one hundred and two
(102) copies of questionnaires were drawn and distributed
randomly to the personnel of the six chosen local government
authorities.
50
Out of the number, eighteen copies were discovered to be
roughly tampered with and returned, leaving a total of one
hundred and two instruments retrieved and eighty three copies
duly completed.
4.2 Respondents Sex
Seventy five (75%) of the respondents were male while
twenty seven (27%) were female. The sexes and data required
were supplied.
Table 1: Respondent Data on sex
Gender
No
Percentages
Male
75
74%
Female
27
26%
Total
102
100%
4.3 Respondents age Distribution
Forty nine of the respondents were between the ages of 30 –
39 years old, representing (58%). Forty three (43) of them are
between the ages of 40 – 49 years old (42).
Table 2: Respondent age
Age bracket
30 – 39
No
59
Percentages
58%
51
40 – 49
43
42%
Total
102
100%
4.4 Respondents educational qualifications
Forty six (45%) of the respondents had degrees while fifty
six has diplomas (55%).
Table 3: Respondents Educational qualifications
Educational status
No
Percentages
Degrees
46
45%
Diplomas
56
55%
Total
102
100%
4.5 Results
The study subjected four research question to an empirical
test and the results of these tests are presented between. The
questions (as presented in the tables) are the split units of the
respective research questions.
Since some of the questions posed in their smaller units are
uniquely interrelated (as they are guided by different research
questions), and to ensure that meanings are put together under
appropriate research questions, they are separately discussed at
the end of the table. This is to enhance understanding.
52
4.6 Number of questionnaires administered
Out of the total of 120 administered questionnaires
representing 100%, after sorting 18 copies representing 15% were
roughly handled and 102 representing 85% was confirmed okay.
Therefore, the findings and discussion of the study is
contend on 102 of the population sample size.
Table 4: Total number of questionnaires administered
Respondents
Frequency
Percentages
Copies returned
102
85%
Copies not returned
18
15%
Total
120
100%
4.7
Discussion of Findings
1. What are the reasons for the creation of local government
authorities? To find out the views of respondents in this matter
five related questions were formed.
(a) Does the reasons for carving out local authorities to
enrich the pockets of the leaders?
(b) Is the state or federal governments aware of this ugly
scenario?
53
(c) Does
the
mode
of
selection
of
local
government
administrators are factor to its failure.
(d) What measure is appropriate to check or stop the trend?
(e) As
public
administrator
what
are
your
humble
contribution to better the situation?
Table 5: Distribution of responses or reasons for the creation
of local government areas.
Responses
Frequency
Percentages
Yes
98
96%
No
4
4%
Total
102
100%
Table 5:
To attest to the fact that local government authority are the
panacea for grassroots emancipation and development, a total of
98 respondents representing 9620 said yes while only 4
respondents representing 4% said no, this affirmed the position
of local government authority as bedrock for community or
grassroots development.
54
4.8 Distribution of Responses on whether local government
operationalization
Responses
Frequency
Percentages
Yes
75%
74%
No
27%
26%
Total
102
100%
Table 6: Shows that 75 respondents, representing 74% said yes
that the operational system the local government is characterized
by corruption while 27 respondents representing 26% said no;
This is in line with the views of Golding (1975: P. 9) cited in
Ofoeze 1997: P.12) which says that, the system however, was not
“local government” especially because, among other things it did
not lead to the emergence of government exercise through locally
elected council (body) enjoying substantial autonomy in the
exercise
of
specific
powers
over
a
given
locality
in
the
performance of a range of functions and responsibilities allocated
to it by law.
55
4.9 Table 6, Distribution Responses on whether political
office holders contribute to fall of local government.
Responses
Frequency
Percentages
Yes
54
53%
No
48%
47%
Total
102
100%
Table 7: Shows that 54 responses representing 53% support the
views that political office holders contribute to non development
of the rural communities which 48 representing 47% said no to
the reasons behind non development of the rural areas by
councils.
4.2.1 Table 8: Distribution of responses on the bureaucrats in
the development processes in the local government areas.
Responses
Frequency
Percentages
Yes
55
54%
No
47
46%
Total
102
100%
56
Responses
Frequency
Percentages
Yes
18%
18%
No
84
82%
Total
102
100%
Table 8: shows that 55 respondents representing 54% said „yes‟
that are part of the problem of under development in the rural
areas while 47 representing 46% said „no‟.
This shows that though all the cause of non development
are attributed to elected officials the staff of the council are not
exception in the misfortune.
4.2.2 Table 9: Distribution of responses on the activities of rural
dwellers in the development palaver.
Total 9: Demonstrated that 18 Reponses representing 18% are
against the view that the rural dwellers contribute to thwart
development efforts while 84 representing. 82% responses
support the view that the problem are wholely the leadership
problem and their activities would cripple if adequate measures
was not taken in good time.
57
4.3.3 ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION OF FINDING
This chapter reviews the results presented in the previous
chapter 4.4 on data presentation and analysis. This discussion is
guided by the research questions that were put forward in
chapter 4 (four).
In this question the researcher, tried to find out the reasons
for the creation of the local governments and the expectations of
the people. From the analysis it is shown in table 5 – 6, 7, 8 and
9. it revealed that the local government creation which supposed
to be for good of the rural people turn to be a curse.
(b) Research questions two: what are the reasons for the non
development
of
rural
communities
by
local
government
authorities.
On response to this question, the researcher tried to
discover
the
problems
that
thwart
the
development
of
communities. It was traced to corruption, lack of political will,
incompetence, lack of knowledge of administration and poor
educational qualification.
The analysis shows in table 6 – 8 confirmed these making
the local government system unimportant.
58
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1
CONCLUSION
Nigeria, like other third world countries has adopted various
strategies aimed at challenging or containing various obstacle to
development.
But regrettably the application of the bourgeois – oriented
prescriptions which are deeply rooted in capitalist mode of
production, have rather aggravated and deepened the problem of
grass-roots development. This is because they intend to create
what Francois Perroux and Manuel Correia de Andrado called
“poles of development” that is the existence of dual economy with
areas existing along side subsistence.
Given this fact that the condition of marginalized people
who suffers from low levels of education, poverty, unemployment,
and lack of nourishment still exist in Nigeria, therefore this
chapter seek to critically evaluate policies and strategies of rural
development in Nigeria from 1976 to date.
The researcher who focused on local government and
grassroots development discovered that this ugly scenario still
59
continued even up till date and appeal for reforms to change
statusquo.
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
The study recommended that the factors militating against
the ability of local government authorities in Nigeria which are
primarily human factors should be arrested if the state and
federal governments introduce more financial discipline into the
local government system to curb the endemic problem of
corruption.
This can only be achieved by introducing effective and
stringent
measures
to
check
financial
and
administrative
irresponsiblility on the part of both the elected and permanent
officials of the local government system.
In addition, the imposition of imprisonment with no option
of fines on any erring members of the local government should be
introduced for those convicted of corruption.
The study equally call for the removal of powers to award
contracts from the local government chairmen and centralized it
in a well constituted tender board which the council chairman
should only be a member.
60
Furthermore, employment into local government service
must be restricted to only those persons possessing development
related skills and qualifications and expertise.
5.3 SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER STUDIES
In view of the recommendations made I wish to suggest that
for purposes of further studies it will be imperative to state as
follows.
That though it is pertinently constitutional for federal and
state governments to lend a helping hands to all stratas of
government should be made to be directed at a specific people
oriented programmes.
That the development of the grassroots can only be
accomplished
if
the
administrators
and
chairmen
plans,
formulate policies that is development sensitive and their
implementation carefully expedited. To this end, I wish to suggest
that the federal and state governments projects taskforce be put
in palce to embark on the monitoring and evaluation of councils
projects and programmes for purpose of accountability.
Also, the taskforce should be given express permission to
assess projects executed by previous governments for either
completion and commissioning to check duplication of projects.
It is therefore, my kindid opinion that if these are
done local government authorities will justify its purposes.
61
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