CONTRIBUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES IN ENUGU STATE

CONTRIBUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES IN ENUGU STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Cooperatives had been existing in Enugu state long before now. Then it hadn’t much government recognition because it was being operated in a low key and traditionally among women, men and traders dwelling in rural communities of Enugu. In those days, the people believed and had benefited so much from living a communal life with the saying that a “tree cannot make a forest”. To this effect people were so eager to belong or gain membership into some existing groups or associations in the likes of Age grade Association.

These three associations were the most popular associations then and members were guided with some orally stipulated rules and regulations. They were also financially committed in the sense that they do pay a little taken as registration fee. These associations introduced peace and unity in their various communities because members started showing love and concern to their fellow members. At a point the daughters association became a disciplinary instrument in the communities of the states.

As this cooperation continued to mingle among the people, some individuals saw the need to tackle or solve their individual problems or getting their individual task done through communal efforts.

This thought metaphorsized the formation of working groups i.e people voluntarily coming together to work for each other in turns. This idea relieved them the stress of one man cultivating so many hectres of land alone, what they do was to work as a group for one man and another person take turn.

On the other hand, traders and family members desired to start up a group contribution system. This led to the formation of a mode of contribution known as “Isusu”.

Isusu is or kind of arrangement whereby people on group of persons are willing to be contributing a certain amount of money daily, weekly or monthly which are given to members in turns to enable such member solve a financial need or start up a business with the bulk money.

All these forms of cooperatives have been existing in Enugu State with little or no assistance from the government yet it continued to strive on its own even to the extent of civil servants forming cooperative societies in their respective ministries. The government has of late see the impact of cooperatives in the state and also seen the need to contribute to the growth and development of cooperative in the state. In the literature review of this work, we shall see and discuss those contributions of government to the growth and development of cooperative movement in Enugu State.

1. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Government is said to be the caretaker of every institution within its area of sovereignity. Hence the duty of the government to protect the interest of its subjects in ordinary public life, business or  cultural environment is obvious and cooperative societies cannot deny the need for government concern.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES IN ENUGU STATE