ABSTRACT
The essence of reforming local government system was to bring about stable increases in the income, productivity, diversification of economy and general quality of lives in the rural areas. But the ability of the local governments to accomplish these tasks will depend extensively on their autonomy and financial positions. The problem of local governments in Kogi State is usually associated with by certain underlying factors like overdependence on statutory allocations from the Federation Account, autonomy, corruption, finance, qualify staff etc. The objective of this study focuses on finding out the causes of poverty and underdevelopment in Kabba-Bunu local government and to recommend appropriate solution. The data used for this study were collected through two main sources, namely; Primary and Secondary sources. The primary sources involves use of questionnaire administered directly to respondents and oral interview conducted to serve as veritable instrument for collecting facts and figures while the secondary source include: textbooks, journals, internet and conferences. to demonstrate considerable good governance and affect the lives of the rural people through consistent service delivery as the primary policy, Kabba-Bunu local government should minimize it total dependence on the federal allocation, and increase their efforts towards generating more revenue through the diversification of their internal revenue sources, minimize corruption, autonomy should be granted.
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
1.0. INTRODUCTION
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with a population of over 162 million, according to the World Bank (2011) data. The country is blessed with abundance of both human and natural resources. Prior to the present civilian regime, the military that was in control for fifteen years (1984-1999) did not put meaningful developmental structures on ground and this gradually deteriorated the living standard. However, different policies, programmes and strategies were employed to reposition the economy from being one of the poorest countries of the world to one of the leading economies by the year 2020. Yet, on practical basis, the country lacks the requirements for decent living standard. The Guardian (2005) points that Nigeria is rated one of the world poorest countries. Available data show that the economy ranks between 130-154th position of the Global 172 economies in the world marginal index, and is among the 20 poorest countries in the world in spite of being the giant of Africa in terms of huge human and mineral resources and available. The country occupies the 7th position as the world’s largest producer of crude oil.
Ogwumike (2002) points that the number of those in poverty rose from 27% in 1980 to 46% in 1985; it decreased slightly to 42% in 1992, and increased sharply to 67% in 1996. By 1999 the estimated poverty was more than 70%, which compelled the federal government to intensify action on poverty reduction. Consequently, efforts have been made in all angles to reduce the level of poverty in Nigeria but greed has retarded positive efforts. Budgetary allocations have been on the increase, nevertheless, with no remarkable improvement. Ozoh (2010) posits that the problem of inability of the underdeveloped countries to grow emanates from defective economic and socio-political institutional setups, defective attitude towards work, technological backwardness, low entrepreneurial skill and talents, indiscipline, limited size of market and imperfection, lack of basic industries due to capital deficiency and defective education, among others. Nigeria as a country has inadequate infrastructure to sustain industrial activity. Besides, the pattern of attitude among leadership and the led have not been encouraging. Consequently, there is decline in aggregate economic activity, which reflects on the gross domestic product and real income of the society, thereby debilitating the repositioning of poverty in the country. Consequently, the economy is strongly gripped with vicious cycle of poverty. Tackling the vicious circle of poverty is seen as a prerequisite for revamping the economy. Poor income gives rise to low saving which in turn results to low capital accumulation, low investment and low income. The required environment in Nigeria has not been available and favourable in repositioning low living standard. Among the actions of the federal government in changing the trend of poor living standard is increased expenditure by the three tiers of government─ Local, State and Federal. This is more of a simultaneous investment in various nooks and crannies of the economy. This intention was aimed at turning around the vicious circle of poverty which exists both on the supply and demand sides of the economy. However, the present status quo gives room for ambiguity in respect of proper targeting and attainment of goals
Every year, the various governments of Nigeria make budgetary allocations in various sectors with the hope of improving and advancing the economy. These allocations are not easily accounted for owing to the high degree of corruption. In its assessment of the level of corruption, Transparency International employed surveys and assessments which included questions related to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and the effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts. Their approach placed Nigeria as one of the most corrupt economies. This is because Nigeria ranked 143 with index of 2.4 out of 183 countries and other territories of the world (Transparency International, 2011).
More so, the existing problems in all the sectors are always there, notwithstanding the yearly funding. Specifically, the power sector which has a great linkage effect in the engagement of other sectorial activities is yet to be well positioned to sustain production in Nigeria in spite of huge budgetary allocations. Besides, the outcome of poverty alleviation measures has not been able to yield practical, positive results. In Nigeria, most commodities consumed by the poor are the most expensive. For instance, petrol is sold at 167 naira per liter while kerosene is 230 naira.
Igbuzor (2004) notes that the main causes of poverty in Nigeria include illiteracy, unemployment, ignorance, high inflation rates, poor economic governance, insecurity of life and property, huge foreign debt, high incidence of diseases, environmental degradation, large family size, inadequate access to employment opportunities and lack of adequate access to land and capital. Many policies, programs and strategies aimed at solving these myriad of problems still leave the majority of Nigerian unchanged. One may be compelled to ask what is really happening to the Nigerian economy. Why have policies, fund allocations and various programs adopted over the years unable to revive poverty in Nigeria?
In this paper, our intention is to critically appraise the causes of poverty and underdeveloped in Kogi state. So, the paper is presented in this order: section one dwells on theoretical and empirical literature, section two focused on overview of programmes to alleviate poverty, the third section centres on critical evaluation of the programmes, while the last section discusses the way forward and conclusion
1.1. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
One of the factors that constitute setback to high standard of living in Nigeria and Kogi State in particular is poverty. Poverty has been described as impediment to socio-economic intellectual and faster development in any nation. The continue presence of any nation will affect development objectives and distracts attempt to move and build the citizenry and the nation. Poverty is the oldest and the most resistant virus that brings about a devastating disease in the third world or developing countries (Tazoacha, 2001). It’s rate of killing cannot be compared to any disease from the genesis of mankind. It is worse than malaria and HIV/AIDS which are claimed to be the highest killer diseases (Tazoacha, 2001), and even worse than EBOLA. Despite the renewed commitment over the past 15 years and more to poverty reduction as the core objective of international development discourses and policies, progress to this end remains disappointing (UNDP, 2003). This is particularly evident in the extent to which the world is off track to achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals, globally and in most regions and countries (UNDP, 2003). This inadequate progress raises important questions about the policies and strategies that have been adopted to achieve poverty reduction, as well as about key international issues including aid, debt and trade. Africa has the richest natural resources and yet it is poor and stagnant in growth and development. In other words, in spite of all the wealthy resources including human and material in its possession, Africa e.g. Nigeria is the world’s poorest continent. Upon this background the researcher aims to evaluate the causes of poverty and underdeveloped in Kogi state, a case study of Kabba-Bunu local government.
1.2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.
The objectives of the study are to evaluate the causes of poverty and underdeveloped in Kogi state, a case study of Kabba-Bunu local government.
Specifically, the study is aimed at:
a) Finding out the major causes of poverty in Kogi State.
b) Examining the contribution of poverty alleviation programs in alleviating the poverty level Kogi state.
c) Identify the problems indigenes of the state face due to this menace
d) Find out possible ways of solving the problems
1.3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
a) What are the major causes of poverty in Kogi State?
b) What are the contributions of poverty alleviation programs in alleviating the poverty level Kogi state?
c) What are the problems indigenes of the state face due to this menace?
d) What are the possible ways of solving the problems?
1.4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.
This study will be of practical and theoretical significance. It will determine the extent to which local government administration importance knowledge in the area of poverty alleviation. Secondly, finding of this study is expected to be of immense importance to strategic planners, policy formulators, national directorate of employment and other stakeholders involved in policy formulations and recommendations, from this it will help in the formulation of policies concerning poverty alleviation. Moreover, student and researchers will find this work useful; concepts, issues, definitions and references contained in this work help them to update their work. This work serves as a bank of information to them. Finally, the study will benefit the general public. Recommendations from this work if adopted by the government and implemented will help the unemployed youth and the poor to be gainfully employed either in the private or public sector. This will have a multiplier effect on their quality of life (QOL).
1.5. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY.
The study is focused on evaluating the causes of poverty and underdeveloped in Kogi state, a case study of Kabba-Bunu local government. Kogi state is located in the North central part of Nigeria and ha of? According it is bounded by the federal capital territory, Benue state, Edo state. For effective research, local government headquarters, Kabba-Bunu local government will be taken as sample for the study. Local government chairman and executive will be investigated and selected youth men and women will also be investigated from the local government. The age range of the people to be investigated is (18) and above and the year of study is 2021. The approach used in one local government will be the same all over and not be generalized.
Secondly, it took the research repeated visit to cover the questionnaire given to the respondents’ most of them complained of frequent distribution of questionnaire without any meaningful impact on the masses. Some complained that they have not time to complete the 18 questionnaire, so they complete them in hasty manner. This has negative effects on the final result. Finally, lack of fund and poor road net-work did not allow some parts of the local government area to be covered. All this has negative implication on the final result.
1.6. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Poverty: Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can’t be met
Underdevelopment: It relates to international development, reflects a broad condition or phenomena defined and critiqued by theorists in fields such as economics, development studies, and postcolonial studies. Used primarily to distinguish states along benchmarks concerning human development—such as macro-economic growth, health, education, and standards of living—an “underdeveloped” state is framed as the antithesis of a “developed”, modern, or industrialized state. Popularized, dominant images of underdeveloped states include those that have less stable economies, less democratic political regimes, greater poverty, malnutrition, and poorer public health and education systems.