CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INDRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This
study is a modest attempt at a lucid explanation of the role of local
government in Nigeria.
Nigerian local government system have
witnessed tremendous transformation since the introduction of the 1988 civil
service reforms one of the changes introduced at the local government is the
direct payment of their statutory allocations which was also increased from 15%-20%,
in addition, local government auditor was established by each sates government
to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at the local level to avoid
misappropriation of public fund. Also, all local governments now have a common structure which distinguish them from
service department.
Local government at any level have some roles such as;
The
maintenances of law and order, the promotion of economic
and
social development etc. They are left with considerable freedom to actual will
for the interest of the local community. Form the administrative point of view,
the government as an agent of development is well placed to help the rural
areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and economic
infrastructure such as; roads, hospitals, bridges, schools, electricity and
telecommunication. The other essential duties inherited by native authorities
include; water supplies, markets and libraries. We generally regard the
convenience list as including those extra amenities which makes life better in
the communities other than the stated ones. These include; creation of bus and
lorry parks, the regulation of land cards on the streets, community recreation
centers, parks and open spaces, grazing areas and fuel plantations, the naming
of streets and the numbering of houses These are recognized automatically as
the responsibility of the local government. They also help in service of parks
control and water supply, electricity and gas, the provision of road of
transport and any other trading undertaking that the state government
authorizes.
The
local government also take responsibility for health orientation and drug
supplies, midwifery services arrangement of health visit and home nursing to
provide facilities for immunization and vaccination.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.
The local government is expected to
become more active in facilitation social and economic development at the
grassroots level. The local government is a potential social and economic
booster if well equipped.
Although
some factors like inadequate finance, lack of technical manpower, denial of
autonomy militate against the efficient administration at the local level.
The
local government despite these problems struggles to maintain a high standard in
socio-economic development
The
researchers want to identify those areas (roles) that the local government has
excelled in terms of social and economic development using udi local government
of enugu state as a case study
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study seeks to look at the
contributions of local government in the economic and social development of
rural areas in Nigeria using udi local government of enugu state as a case
study.
This
research is also indirectly aimed at identifying different factors militating
against the effectiveness of local government administration and solutions to
those problems identified. It will also make a recommend action on making local
government an effective third tier of
government and also making it a great manager of human and financial resources.
The overall thrust of recommendation is how to ensure faithful administration
of local government
1.4
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
The
research question will be based on the following;
i. Do
local governments have any role to play in economic and social development in
rural areas?
ii. What are the examples of such roles?
iii. To
what extent has local government administration played it’s roles in rural
areas?
iv. What
are the effects of staff moral in the attainment of development objectives in
local governments?
i. Are
there any constraints that militate against the success of development process
of local governments.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The
need and important of the research is obvious. At a time when local government
has come to assume on over whelming influence on the process of political and
economic development, it becomes more relevant to examine much more closely the
characters and dynamics of this third tier of government and to clarify the
major contradiction that have tended to impede it’s capacity to promote
development at the local level. However a scientific study of this kind become
necessary especially at this time when the past and present civilian
administration are particularly concerned abith rural development.
Finally,
this study will generally aid to the growing number of literatures on local
government affairs more particularly on the roles of local government
administration in economic and social development of rural areas in Nigeria and
pragmatic solutions offered towards making them more efficient and responsive
to the needs of rural dweller and also to policy makes and researchers alike
1.6 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
This
research area and dimension of coverage is based only on the roles of local
government administration in economic and social development of rural areas in
Nigeria and to the staff, teachers farmers, businessmen/ women and artisans in
udi local government area of Enugu state.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The
researchers were affected by the usual constraints and problems common with
similar researches in Nigeria.
Summarized
below are some of the constraints,
i.
Finance: in carrying out this research there
was inadequate fund to carryout proper investigation in some areas that the
researchers would have loved to.
ii.
Time: The time available for the research was
limited coupled with the fact that there were other assignment to do and exam
to prepare for.
iii.
Dearth of statistical data and information: As
a result of lack of documental data and information there search finding
appears to be written for easy understanding.
1.8
DEFINITION
OF TERMS
This following terms have been defined
for the purpose of this study
i. local government: this refers to a
government at the local level
Exercised
through representative councils established by law to Exercised specific
functions within a defined geographical area
ii. development: this is a multidimensional
process involving re-organization and re-orientation of the entire economic
and social system in addition
to improving income and quality
of
life of the inhabitants of an areas it
typically involve radical
changes
in institutional social as well as popular attitude and sometimes even customs
and beliefs.
iii council: this refers to that organ which
constitute representation of people
either elected or nominated.
(iii)
Socio – economic development: This
embraces improvement in not only the standard of living and capital perinccome
but also in high level of employment reducing inflation, advocate provision of
food, high in frastructures, stressing
value rather than achievement.
(v)
Objectives: This refers to those things that the researcher intends to achieves
at the end of the research.
(iv)
Programmers: This consists of essential
integrated series of developmental projects that spans over a length of time or
period.
REFERENCE
Adekunle
o.s. (1978), community development process,
New
york: Longman.
Geoffery
D.B (1957), organization. And practice of local
Government, case studies of the printing in.
Dusty, London; Longman
Nmor
A.I (1969), The future of government in Nigeria,
Ileife; university of life press
Stewart
J. D (1971), management in local government.
A view point, lonfon; charles knight and co ltd.
