CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This study is a modest attempt at a lucid
explication of the role of local government in Nigeria. Nigerian local
government system has witnessed tremendous transformation since the
introductions of the 1988 Civil Service Reforms and its application at the
local government administration one of the changes introduced to strengthen the
local government is the direct payment of their statutory allocations which was
increased from 10% to 25%. In addition local government auditor was established
in each state government to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at
the local level to check any misappropriation of public funds. Also all local
government now has a common structure which distinguishes them from service
department.
Local
government at any level has some stand and roles such as the maintenance of law
and order, the promotion of economic and social development. They are left with
considerable freedom to act as they see fit for the interest of the local
community.
From
the point of view the government as agents of development are will place to
help the rural areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and
economic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hospitals, schools,
electrification and telecommunication. The other essential duties inherited
from the Native Authorities include rural and the urban water supplies markets
and libraries. We generally regard the
convenience list as including those extra amenities which make for a better
life in the community, other than those life in the community, other than those
which are concerned with fighting discuss e.g. bus and lorry parks. The regulation of handcarts on the streets,
community and recreation centers, parks and open spaces, grazing areas and fuel
plantations, the naming of streets and the numbering of buildings. These are
recognized as automatically the responsibility of the local government. They
also help in the service of park control and supply of water, electricity and
gas, the provision of road and water transport, and any other trading
undertaking that the state government specifically authorizes.
The
local government also take care for a specifically health orientation and
supplying of drugs, a midwifery service, to arrange for health visiting and
home nursing to provide facilities for vaccination and immunization.
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Local
government is expected to become more meaningful in facilitating social and
economic development at the grassroots level. Central to the achievement of
these objectives is the financial viability of this tier of government. This
point has been subtly underscored by “Dasuki panel” on local government
administration, when it observed inter alia that a good number of local
government roles could not be performed at all, due to a variety of reasons
principal among which are:
(a)
Inadequate financial
capacity
(b)
Lack of necessary technical
manpower, and erosion of functions particularly in the revenue yielding areas
by state government – thus reducing the revenue base of the local government.
This
demonstrates that success or failure of local government depends among other
things, on their revenue base, the fiscal resources available and the way these
resources are utilized. However, central to the above is the ability of the
local government to generate substantial financial resources which is one of
the tripartite goals of every local government in Nigeria more importantly; one
is inclined to think that this is the point that can give an impact in breaking
the vicious cycle of poverty of Isoko South Local Government. The researcher
wants to identify the reasons for the vicarious cycle, and proffer a solution
to the above problems.
1.3
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This
study seeks to look at the contribution of local government development of
rural areas in Nigeria using Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state.
This
research also aimed at identifying different factors militating the
effectiveness of local government and solutions to those problems identified
and it will be offered at the completion of the research work.
Finally,
the study makes a modest attempt to fulfill this purpose in the social and
economic development of the effective delivery of service to the respective
local populations scattered all over the country. It also make a
recommendations on making local government an effective third level of
government, the development and management of the human resources of local
governments and the development of the financial resources of local
government. The overall thrust of the
recommendation is on how to ensure faithful implementation of local government.
1.4
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This
research area and dimension of coverage is based on only the roles of local
government administration in economic and social development of rural area in
Nigeria and to the staffs, teaches, businessmen, farmers in Isoko South Local
Government of Delta state.
1.5
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The
research questions for work will be based on the following:
(i)
Does local government have
any role to play in the economic development of rural area?
(ii)
To what extent has local
government administration played its roles in rural area?
(iii)
Does low morale among the
staffs of local government militates development of rural areas?
(iv)
Are there any constraints
that militate against the success of development process of local government?
(v)
Does weak financial base
hinder the goals of meeting up rural development?
1.6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
need and importance of the research is obvious.
At a time when local government has come to assume an overwhelming
influence on the process of political and economic development.
It
becomes more relevant to examine much more closely, the characters and dynamics
of this three tier of governments and to clarify the major contradictions that
have landed to impede its capacity to promote development at local level.
However,
a scientific study of this kind becomes necessary especially at this time when
the past and present civilian administrations are particularly concern about
rural development.
Finally,
this study will generally add to the growing numbers of literature on local
government affairs, more particularly on the roles of local government
administration in economic ad social development of rural area in Nigeria and
pragmatic solutions offered towards making them more efficient and responsive
to the needs of rural Nigerians, it also to policy makers and researchers alike.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The
researcher is also affected by the usual constraints and problems prominent in
similar researchers in Nigeria. These constraints were summarized below
(i)
Finance:
This created a lot of problem to researcher in the cause of carrying out proper
investigation of this research, but this was not enough because of other uses
in which it is been put to.
(ii)
Time Constraints:
The time available for the research work was very limited with other assignment
and preparation for examination has caused a barrier to the researcher
findings.
(iii)
Dearth of Statistical Data
and Information:
As a result of lack of documental data the research work appears to be
some how written for easy understanding.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
The following terms have been defined
for the purpose of this study:
(i)
Local government:
This is government at a local level exercised through representative councils
established by laws toe exercise specific functions with in a defined area.
(ii)
Development:
Development is a multi – dimensional process involving a re-organizational and
reorientation of the entire economic and social system, in addition to improve
income and outcome. Its typically involves radical changes in institutional,
social as well popular attitude and sometimes even customs and belief.
(iii)
Council: This
refers to the organ that constitutes representation of people either elected or
nominated.
(iv)
Social Economic Development:
This is a combination of social and economic
development. It embraces improvement in
not only standard of living and per-capital income, but also high level of
employment, reducing inflation, adequate food, high infrastructures, stressing
values rather than achievement.
(v)
Objectives:
These are end results to which an organization or government activity directed
objective are hierarchical in nature are determined or formulated by top
management of an organization after economic, social and political forces
affecting the organization have been apprised.
(vi)
Programmes:
This consists of essentially integrated series of development projects that
spans over a length of time.