THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.

THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.

ABSTRACT

The major concern of this research work is to assess the role of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State in rural development of its constituent communities. In achieving this, the research work relies on descriptive approach and structured questionnaire and interview for data collection. A simple size of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents was used for the study. Our findings revealed that the council has not performed well in developing the rural areas over the years. Various recommendations were made based on the findings among such are, increase in revenue allocation by both Federal and State governments, serious commitment be made by such staff toward internally generated revenue and the use of direct labour (council engineers) in carrying out projects in place of contractors. Improvement of infrastructure by the councils is also recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE:

Background of Study 1.1

Introduction

1.2

Statement of Problem

–

1.3

Objectives of Study

–

1.5

Significance of the Study

–

1.6

Operational Definition of Concept

–

1.7

Literature Review

–

1.7.1

Local Government and Rural Development

–

1.7.2

Inadequate Finance and Rural Development

–

1.7.3

Paucity of Skilled Manpower and Rural Development

–

1.8

Theoretical Framework

1.9

Hypothesis

1.10

Research Methodology

References

CHAPTER TWO: History and Organizational Structure of

Warri North Local Government

2.1

Evolution of Local Government in Nigeria

2.2

History of Warri North Local Government Council

2.3 The Organizational Structure of Warri North Local Government

References

CHAPTER THREE

Warri North Local Government and Rural Development

References

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1

Data Analysis

4.2

Testing of Hypotheses

4.3

Discussion of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1

Summary

5.2

Conclusion

5.3

Recommendation

Bibliography

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

1.1 Introduction

The expediency for the creation of local government anywhere in the world stems from the need to facilitate development at the grassroots. The importance of local government is a function of its ability to generate sense of belongingness, safety and satisfaction among its populace. All forms of government, regimes or political systems have so far ensured the attainment of this goal. Such strategy for ensuring national administrative development and political efficacy is found in the concept and practice of local government. Whatever is the mode of government, local government has been essentially regarded as the path to, and guarantor of, national integration, administration and development.

In Nigeria’s socio-political context, with multiplicity of culture, diversity of languages and differentiated needs and means, the importance of such an organization in fostering the needed national consciousness, unity and relative uniformity as well as preservation of peculiar diversities cannot be over-emphasized. Central to the creation of local government, however, is its ability to facilitate an avenue through which government and the people intermix, relate and more quickly than any other means resolve or dissolve issues that may have heated the system. Local government has been perceived as a panacea for the diverse problems of the diverse people with diverse culture.

THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.