CORRUPTION AND SOCIO- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA, A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE (1999-2011)

CORRUPTION AND SOCIO- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA, A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM  STATE (1999-2011)

SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Corruption is a persistent issue in Nigeria. Corruption is a form of anti-social behavior by an individual or social group which confers unjust or fraudulent benefits on its perpetrators, is consistent with the established legal norms and prevailing moral ethos of the land and is likely to subvert or diminish by capacity of the legitimate authorities to provide fully for the material well- being of all the members of society in a just and equitable manner.

President Muhammadu Buhari defined Corruption as the greatest form of human right Violation. Since the Creation of Modern Public Administration in the Country, there have been cases of official misuse of funds and resources. The rise of public Administration and the discovery of  oil and National Gas are two major events seen to have led to the increase in corrupt practices in the country. However, this is attributed to colonialism. According to this view, the nation’s colonial history may have restricted any early influence in an ethnical revolution; “the trappings of flashy cars, houses and success and to emulate the colonists in different political ways”. Involvement in the agenda of colonial rule may inhibit idealism in the early stages of the nascent nation’s development. A view commonly held during the colonial days was that colonistfr property (cars, houses, farms etc) is not “our” property.

Thus, vandalism and looking of public property was not seen as a crime against society. This view is what has degenerated into the more recent disregard for public property and lack of public trust and concern for public goods as a collective national property.

The government has aimed at containing through the enactment of laws and the enforcement of integrity systems, but success has been slow. As at 2012, Nigeria is estimated to have lost over $400 billion to corruption since independence. Many attributed this to flagrant graft and exists in the country. Many blamed greed and Ostentatious life-style as a potential root cause of this  problems.

The effects of corruption on the socio-economic landscape of any society can be so devastating that noting meaningful works in the midst of this malaise.

In the midst of all the strands of corruption it can be said that political corruption predominates. And this area of study constitutes the potential issue of study. This is because those at all helm of affairs of government, the political elite accounts for the sharing and allocation of values in the society. This misallocation of these values and resources seem to be at the heart of Nigerian’s Socio-Economic problems upon which multidimensional social vices the country passes through.  But for the purpose of this work we shall limit it to Akwa Ibom State.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

corruption in Nigeria exists at an a learning proportion. In government it thrives in the area of project costing, ghost workers syndrome, contract awards and their subsequent abandonment; payment of huge sum of money to political godfathers, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds.

The result or consequences of these acts has been total insecurity,   poor economic management, abuse of human rights, ethnic conflicts, capital flight, poverty and the enormous wealth inequality in Nigeria are deeply rooted in political corruption. It has remained a major challenge against Nigerian’s lack of appreciable socio-economic development especially in Akwa Ibom State given its rich endowment in both human and material resources.

The questions is, how has corruption hinders the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State despite its huge resources.

• OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study adopted the following objectives

1. To identify the consequences of corruption on life substances, self esteem and freedom of Akwa Ibom people.
2. To ascertain the level of poverty among the people caused by corruption.

• To find out the level of explication and infrastructure decay on the state.

1. To suggest ways of combating corruption in the land.

• SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

This research work is to serve as a valuable tool, as it would be a useful document for future studies. In addition, this study will provide a framework for dealing with the problems of  corruption and socio-economic development, in Akwa Ibom State, if the suggestions offered are adhere to. It would also be a veritable input to government officials in making decision concerning corruption.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study was on aspect or form of corruption and socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State 1999-2011. It will examine the consequences on the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom People.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study was limited due to the following constraints:  

1. Financial Issue: Research involves money. The researcher in the cause of this work encounters financial difficulties.
2. Data Collection: The researcher did not find it easy in the process of gathering data for the work.
   • ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This study is sub divided into four chapters with chapter one on the introduction, chapter two deals with the literature Review and theoretical frame work, while chapter three is no analysis and assessment of the subject matter and lastly chapter four is on Summary, Recommendations and conclusion.

SECTION TWO

2.1     CONCEPTUAL ISSUES