THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Non-governmental agencies in Nigeria have demonstrated appreciable interest towards the provision of amenities to both the rural and urban population of the country. The interest shown by these non-governmental agencies could be derived from their genuine intension of uplifting the liking standard of the people. There is therefore no gain saying the fact that there have been some noticeable increases in educational institutions, health centers, road constructions, water supply and so on as they store to impress the people. Experience has shown that the provision and maintenance of amenities cannot be handled by government alone because it will be too onerous for government to satisfy the need of all communities, bearing in mind the limitation of time and resources. It is therefore, necessary for the agencies of government to educate the people to appreciate the fact that the transformation of their country for enhancement of their standard of living should be a joint responsibility between the community and the government or its agencies. This is why series of reforms and restricting have been undertaken.
At local government level, at in an attempt to make it more responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people it is also aimed to involving an efficient and functional administrative and resources allocation system that will make for rapid growth and modernization of rural communities (Non Oil). The role of Non-Governmental Agency (NGO’s) in community developed has attracted the attention of some great scholars. Aroh (1997), viewed community development as a process whereby community came together to perform various functions in order to given a face left to their immediate environment or community. Also Non Oil (1981) refers development as a natural fact in which the individuals and society interest with their physical, biological and inter human environment transforming them for their own benefit and that of humanity at large. NGO’s as an organization or loose associations which are composed of people working together to address a need. Basic element of NGO’s are: – Non-profit oriented A voluntary organization An NGO is primary on intermediate organization that is development oriented. Non-government in term of organization, membership and funding. In all, non-governmental agencies role is poverty alleviation and community development is aimed at making people self reliant, able to participate in national development. It also ensure that both the rural and urban communities the provision of the necessary assistance, like funds legal and structural framework, technical and managerial expertise necessary for the programmers’, Aroh (2002).
The study was carried out in Ufuma, which is located at Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State in Nigeria. The local government area occupies an area of about 220 square kilo with an estimated population of 8,280 people (NPC 1991). The local government comprises of different communities like Ajali which is the headquarter, oko, Ufuma, Omogho, Awa, Naka, Amaokpala, Ndiowu, Ndikelionwu and so on. The occupation of the people is farming, treading, civil servants, etc. The Ufuma prime movers was on the third development union formed in the area in 1984 but before the formation of the Ufuma prime movers there was other union formed in February 23nd 1982. The cooperative union formed in March 2nd 1983 before the formation of the Ufuma cooperative union in June 28th 1984. This union of the development of the community and also has helped in increasing the standard of living of the people and extending aims to the less privileges in the community. There was remarkable to which was done by these prime movers on March 8th 2000 disk and chairs for the Umonyiba primary and Nursery school in the area also in 2004 the prime movers donated wholesomely to the widows in Umuogem community. The Ufuma comprises of nine (9) villages and its history is something that one cannot forget in a haste, the people of Ufuma are people with integrity, honest and responsible as I was told the Ufuma people spread to different villages like Umuagu, Obiagu, Umuogem, Umonyiba, Umuonyiuka and so on.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Though the community dwellers in non-governmental agencies has continued to play a significant role in the community development by producing food and agricultural raw materials for exploit and local consumptions but yet so many community still lack the basic amenities of life such as good roads, postal services an communication e.g. MTN Network, NITEL, GLO etc Anyanwu (1981). The unbalance in provision of these basic amenities and infrastructural development between the rural and the urban areas have occasionally an unprecedented rural urban draft with a depressive effects on the rural urban economy which the facts has been established in a way whereby the non-governmental agencies is constrained in its effort to provide citizens with all the required social and basic amenities for comfortable living Anyanwu (1992). The truth is that non-governmental agencies have been established by various community members, who came to government with the activity of the non-governmental agencies have been documented adequately in literature and it is such view that the study was conceived to examine the role of the Ufuma prime movers in Ufuma Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State was regarded to the community development.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of this study is to highlight the role of the Ufuma prime movers in orumba North Local Government which specific aim of these research works is to designed the following:
. To examine the structure of the development union.
. To identify the constraints encountered by the Ufuma prime movers in their community development effort.
. After the completion, the research work will be an incentive and motivation factors in the behavior of the people towards community development.
. Ascertain the personal characteristic of each members of the Ufuma prime mover in Orumba North Local Government.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The essence of this research work is to propagate the good role of non-governmental agencies towards community development and how they can contribute to the crusade against poverty after the completion of this products, so that the people of the community can see the need for self help project because non-governmental agencies have play a significant role in community development and their roles need to be understood very well by policy makers, the government and NGO, the potentials members that will gradually help in development.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In order to achieve the objectives of this research work these proper solution will be attempt to in the research:-
. In what extent are the people of the community initiate programmes and projects for the development of the community?
. What is the relationship between non-governmental agencies in community development in Orumba North Local Government?
. How are the amenities given to the people of the community being provided and maintain by the people of the community?
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study is the impact of non-governmental agencies in community development organization to the development of communities with particular reference to Ufuma prime movers in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Findings here shall be used as a yardstick to other states in Nigeria.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
In carry out this research work, I encountered so many obstacles, like the day I was travelling to Anambra State for questioning of the respondents, it rained heavily and the cost of traveling was very high as I thought. There were difficulties in getting the respondents, because most of them have gone to the farm, why some to the village market etc.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
In order to give easy comprehension of the entire research, it is required that some terms of importance used be defined, such terms are as follows: –
GOVERNMENT: Can be defined as an institution of a state whereby the interest, welfare and needs of the citizen are been protected.
COMMUNITY: This referred as a relatively small isolated center with a stable population in which all economic and social services necessary to life can be realized.
DEVELOPMENT: It involves improvement, progressing enhancement and change in economic, social socio-cultural, infrastructure, political of a state. Development is multidimensional change in native and attitudes of one’s life.
AGENCY: A business or an organization that provides a particular service especially on behalf of other business or organization.
ROLE: The function or position that something has or is expected to have in an organization in society or in a relationship.
