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PROJECT TOPIC:  THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Department:  Public Administration
AMOUNT:  10,000
FORMAT:   MS WORD
PAGES:  97
 
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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

          Local government in Nigeria could have been said to have started when politicians assumed leadership role of regional legislators under colonial reforms. That gradually led to regional self-government in the early 1950s. Before this, under the native system, indirect rule was introduced. Indirect rule sought to rule the local people through their local chiefs. (Abia, B.E 2003:5) Nigeria’s rural area have for many decades remained backward and static, especially at a time when global economy is experiencing tremendous change. This is more evidence after the country’s civil war (1967-70) featuring others. Upsurge petroleum revenue, the consequent ability of government to finance large construction prove of in urban centre, as well as unprecedented migration of able bodied youth from rural urban center, all combine to force a decline in rural area development (Tomiro, 1995:12). The essence of creating local government any where in the world stems form the need to facilitate development of the grassroots. Local government councils are constantly structuring to improve the effectiveness and efficiency service delivery. Most especially, in the area of health care and education services, local government in Nigeria are striving to ensure that priorities are not misplaced in this country Nigeria in the provision of service delivery to their rural area or rural dwellers (Ajayi, 2000:70)  Local government in its real sense, is very vital in the socio-economy polity of Nigeria, this is so because it is the nearest form of government to the common man in the observed rural settings everywhere. However, not every or much has been achieved by the way of development of rural area. Largely due to lack of focus administration of local government councils, if any are is in doubt of this assertion, then such a person perhaps may not have paused to ask for reason why almost rural villages lack good roads, electricity, school, health care centers and social amenities in which Mopa-Moro local government is not left out. What happen to all the resources been allocated to these local government areas?

          The rural development of rural dwellers has been concerned of every responsive and responsible local government. Development remains insignificant if development does not positively affect the lives of people in the society (Lawal, 2000:46)  Further, past administration has recognize the important of rural areas in the general development strategies in the country. Hence, various programmes have designed and operated and relevant institutions have been established to promote the rural development. One of the paramount programme designed to achieve this aims in 1976 local government reforms by Murtala administration of General Murtala and General Olusegun Obasanjo. Local government are expected to carry out regional policies with respect to ameliorate poverty, unemployment etc in the 21st century you may wish to imagine that living in most rural Nigeria is traumatic, if you care to observe, you will see men and women, boys and girls pursuing menial activity or task just to survive. Local government has undergone very numerous and constant reforms aimed at evolving a viable system that could serve the purpose of which local government is created. In essence, local government should be a machinery for rural development and transformation, but research findings and empirical evidence have shown that most local government activities have not adequate mobilized the people for rural development activities (Ijere, 2000:16). The year 1976 was never a product of many years of socio-economic and political changes. It further makes a water-shed when the whole country acquired a uniform provision in its local government system. Hence, policies and strategies are made for implementation as a means to an end. Therefore, local government administration should be a strategy for socio-economic and political development form below show that all resources at the disposed of the country can be effectively and efficiency tapped to achieved and accelerate basic needs. It is through this system that basic and necessary facilities are provided which are geared towards improving and changing living conditions in the rural areas. In fact, majority of the population are left disorganized (Titus 2000:2-6). Consequently, local government is a form of devolution of power of state. It is the government of the grass root which is designed to set up as an instrument to rural development or transformation. Form ideological perspective, local government foster the principle of democracy as local government brings government nearer to the people and if properly designed it goes to mass participation of people in the process of government.Thus, local government is designed to achieve its goals, that is, multi-dimensional goals of economic, social and political development. For local government to achieve it goals, it should be appropriate organized/structured, adequately funded and sufficiently staffed with well qualified and consciously trained and motivated, competent and educated personnel. Furthermore, local government in Nigeria started when her politician assumed leadership of regional legislative under colonial reforms that’s led to regional self government in the 1950. The instituted reform that gradually transformed local government authority from traditional rulers to elected representatives in the process, they created vacuum and space for political participation for local elites especially western educated elites who hither to played little or no role in local governance (Egi J. 1997:45) In addition to this, local governments in Nigeria have undergone very numerous and constant reforms aimed at evolving a viable system that could suit the purpose of which local government is created. Before the advent of colonial administration various traditional political communities in Nigeria were governed through the instrumentalities of their traditional political institution. In the Northern part of Nigeria, the Hausa/Fulani operated as highly centralized hierarch leally organized authoritarian large Feale state and were ruled by powerful Emirs. The Yoruba of the western Nigeria had centralized freedom in which the Oba’s who played constitutional role. In Eastern Nigeria, the Igbo have fragmented and diffused autonomous local government of which Ozo title association, the council of elders shared in political authority with the Chief of the community.

          In the light of this, local government should be a machinery tools for rural development, but research finding and empirical evidence seems to have shown that, most local government have not adequately mobilized the people for rural development activities. Consequently, this study will like to stress out the impact of local government on rural development and the way forward.

Similarly, the expediency of local government everywhere in the world stems form the need to facilitate development at the grassroots. The important of local government is a function of its ability to generate sense of belonging, safety and satisfaction among its populace. All forms of government regimes or political systems for ensuring national administration development and political efficiency are found in the concept and practice of local government. Whatever is the mode of government, integration, administration and development (Okoli O. 1998:31).

 

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