The Impact Of Local Government Administration And Rural Development In Imo State (A Case Study Of Owerri Municipal)

Project and Seminar material for Public Administration

Abstract

This research work was undertaken with a view to ascertaining the community development in Imo State Imo state of Nigeria with a focus on OWERRI MUNICIPAL Local government with in its area of jurisdiction. In doing this, the researcher based his study on the provision of the 1976 local government reform in Nigeria which made community development one of the explicit functions of the local government councils.

In carrying out the research primary and secondary data were used. Related literature were reviewed (secondary data chapter 2) and questionnaire were equally prepared and administered to local government functionaries (primary data chapter 4)

The technique use in analyzing the primary data is the chi-square (x2). The finding of the research was reached using the result of the tested hypothesis.

For the analysis, it was found that many factors act as stumbling blocks on the way of community development in OWERRI MUNICIPAL Local government area and the state general. Such factors include,

1. Lack of adequate organization frame work and orientation.
2. Lack of dedication and commitment on the part of the local government councils to the cause of community development.
3. Misplacement of organization priorities and consequently, misdirection of funds.
4. Lack of executive capacity from lack of adequate trained motivated and dedicated staff for effective and efficient implementation of councils.
5. The Unhealthy political atmosphere existing in the local government councils.
6. And finally the unreliable external funding and inability to generate revenue for development purpose.

From the above findings, the researcher concluded by making a sense of recommendations among which are the coordination of the development efforts of the various formal and informal organizations in all over, the community development programmes, and procurement of adequately trained personnel for the organizational and educational processes associated with community development.

Table Of Contents

Preliminary Page(s)

• Title Page
• Approval Page
• Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Table of Contents

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

• 1.1 Background Of Study
• 1.2 Statement of Problems.
• 1.3 Objectives of the Study
• 1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study
• 1.5 Significance of the Study
• 1.6 Theoretical Framework.
• 1.7 Scope of the Study
• 1.8 Limitation of the Study
• 1.9 Definition of Terms.

Chapter Two

2.0 Literature Review

• 2.1 Concept and Definition of Community Development.
• 2.2 Historical Background of Community Development as Obtains in Nigeria.
• 2.3 Roles of Local Government Council in Community Development.
• 2.4 Major Constraints in OWERRI MUNICIPAL
• 2.5 Achievement of OWERRI MUNICIPAL
• 2.6 Implementation Strategies to Rural Development
• 2.7 Steps for Effective Rural Development
• 2.8 Other Organization Involved in Community Development.
• References.

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Design and Methodology

• 3.1 Research Design
• 3.2 Area of Study.
• 3.3 Sample Size
• 3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
• 3.5 Instrument for Data Conclusion
• 3.6 Validity of the Instrument
• 3.7 Reliability of the Instrument
• 3.8 Method of Data Collection
• 3.9 Method of Data Analysis.

Chapter Four

4.0 Data Presentation and Analysis

• 4.1 Data Analysis

Chapter Five

5.0 Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendation

• 5.1 Summary
• 5.2 Recommendation.
• 5.3 Conclusion
• References
• Appendix

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

Local governments have and will continue to be of the prime mort of developments in different part of the world and their important and impact on the daily activities of citizens cannot be over emphasized.

The terms local government refers to a political authority set up by a nation or state as a subordinate authority for the purpose of dispensing or decentralizing political power. In the English sense, it means local self government.
Local government is a political sub division of a national government or in federal system, a sub-division of regional government in fact, local government administration is so intentioned with community development that any discussions on one out of necessity involves en essence was created solidly to bring development to the communities at the grass root. Community development is not a new ideology.

It is defined as a process by which the efforts of the people themselves are lives with those of government authorities to improve the economics, social and cultural conditions of the communities, to integrate into the life of the action and to noble them to fully contribute to the national progress.

Also the role of local government in the promotion of development at the local level is clearly recognized as one of the underlying basis of the 1976 local government reforms which emphasis that none of the principal objectives of local government is to mobiles human and material resources though the involvement

Members of the public in the promotion of local government. Many communities had built schools, constructed roads and bridges and organized higher education, scholarship schemes for their children etc. Community development as we recognize today is based on and has grown out of experience of the past.

What is new is that these principles are now becoming more widely recognized than ever before. The principles of community development are not new, but it is the emphasis which makes almost a revolutionary. The concept of community development is based on the faith. In the ability of people to learn to help themselves attain an improved standard of living building better communities taking one step at a time.

Rural development has thus remained one of the priority items of the programmes of one administration. In drawing up the blue print for rural development, government of Imo state aims primary at sensitizing and mobilizing the people at the grass root level and deliberately ad actively involving them in effective community development, encouraging integrated and multi-dimension approach community development for the government to achieve the grass roots development, it must get closer to the people.

Community development groups and local government should work very closely, because for instance, a service project such as maternity dispensary or school which is built without the full support of the relevant local government, has very lean chances of survival, since the running and main tenancy expenses of such services are usually too heavy to be borne unaided to such community.

Organization Of Owerri Municpal Local Government

OWERRI MUNICIPAL council was created in 1991 by the then Military President ,Gen Babangida. The local government was caved out from main/former Owerri local government area.

The council consists of six (6) major department’s personnel, health, works, financials, agriculture and education and development. The council is made up of two sets of staff. The executive and the carrier officers. At the Zenith of the organization, the chairman is the chief executive and the controller of both men and materials including finances. Below him is the chairman who assists and co-ordinates the activities delegated to him from time to time. Below their levels are the four line supervisors charged of agriculture, health, education, community development and works respectively. Both the chairman and the supervisors are the policy maker as far as the council is concerned.

On the other hand, the local government service commission is the employer of all carrier officers’ civil servants under this local government system. At the zenith of the carrier officers is the secretary director of personnel who is in charge of the day to day administration. Below him is a deputy secretary who co-ordinates the activities of both senior and the junior staff including other functions in his schedule.

The internal auditor occupies a central position midway between the carrier officers and the executive chairman. He is the alarm clock of the council especially when the envisages that anything goes wrong with the expenditure of government fund. He may raise an audit alarm. Below this levels are the line carrier staff known as heads of department. Each occupying specific department such as agriculture, 1-6 above.

Each HOD maintains discipline within his area, check the attendant and roll call and distribute functions amongst the rank and file senior and junior staff under him.

Statutory / Committee

In local government there are some operative statutory committee charged with specific functions.

1. The junior staff management committee with a chairman and secretary. This organ is charged with discipline, promotion, transfer and conversion of junior staff under grade level 01-06.
2. F and A This is an organ responsible for monetary approval and expenditure above to 500, 000.00 to 1 million.

The executive chairman acts as the chairman while the local government secretary acts as the secretary.
Community development is a department solely charged with co-ordination development activities in various communities between the councils area of jurisdiction.

However, the department cannot carryout or execute its functions department or units within the council for example, community development as a department needs fund which must be raised and released by the finance department from its internally generated revenue sources.

In addition, for a community project to be implemented the survey and planning department must be carried out his own specific duties in town planning and market designs, building of markets, as well as agricultural development cannot succeed without the works department engineers and agric officers. Health is one of the major premises of community development functions.

1.2 Statements Of Problems

Our understanding in this study is to investigate and appraise to what extent the local government council as represented by OWERRI MUNICIPAL local government area of Imo state, has been and to mobilize human and material resources for development of its area of authority. In line with the 1976 local government reforms.
The researcher will also in this course of this study to find answers to the following problems.

1. To what extent has the rural development objectives of the present local government system bee realized in OWERRI MUNICIPAL local government area.
2. To what extent has the local government approach to rural development facilitated the realization of the reforms including the present government rural development objectives?
3. Is there not a better alternative to the local government councils current altitude to community development?

The above questions are closely interlinked and will be my guide to conduct this appraisal work and suggest some possible solutions where necessary.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

The essence of local government is to bring about the following:

1. About sustained development at the grass root level.
2. To find effective ways of stimulating teaching and helping people to adopt new methods and to learn new skills.
3. To ensure the preservative of the community spirit.
4. To find out if there are wider political representation.
5. To determine if there are cheaper service.
6. Establishing a good base for the collecting for economic planning

1.4 Scope And Limitation Of Study

As a result of the numerous of local government area that is OWERRI MUNICIPAL local government area of Imo state. The emphasis therefore, should be the role of local government in community development.

Lots of constraints were encountered in the course of this project, ranging from time financial constraints, scarcity of material and ignorance on the part of the respondents. But by the grace of God, I was able to assemble to the best of my ability the key information that will form a picture of what the study demands and hope that these constraints will pave a way in subsequent studies to make for enhancement where necessary.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

This study is geared towards correcting the misconception some people have as regards the value of local government. It will go a long way in detecting the idea that local government is an extension through which federal government and those in the authority in particular share government money or wealth to politician or their supporters.

This write up will expose the usefulness of local government to the citizenry, it will also ginger the society towards community development. It will help those working in the local government (Chairman and Councilors) to understand why they are there and these aspiring to be there to know why they should be there.

1.6 Theoretical Framework

This study is based on David Easton systems theory that says the idea of politics as a system has gained considerable currency in political science. The notion of system implies that there is a disgrace of interrelatedness is assumed to operate within the system which consist of mutually constraining or conditioning units and the system operates in and environment of some sort from which it s distinguishable.

A major condition there of a system together distinct from the environment must be maintained if the system is meant to run down and merge with the environment. Within the system energy is exchanged between units such that is one unit be affected all the others will be affected in a varying degree depending on the linkage within the system and the loss of energy in the process of transmission. Energy is also lost in the process of maintaining the study as an entity within its environment and it must some how is gained.

As in this case, local government as a third tier of government activity is regarded as a component part of the system. It is a unit of the activities that go on in political system of government. It has interrelationship with both the state and federal government. To make sure that there is effective development in the system local government created and effective is local government brings about effect rural and community development. So through local government, federal and state government helps in the development of the rural areas.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

This research work is aimed at studying of the impacts of local government administration and rural development in Imo state.

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

It is therefore, pertinent to print out that because of time, space or distance and financial constraints; the study is limited only to OWERRI MUNICIPAL local government area.

This scope is justified by the fact that it is practically impossible for the researcher to take into this study all efforts made towards community development in the country. The difficulties that were over come during the process of this research work are:

Time constraints, the problem of time was not to the advantage of the researcher and this did not allow for more comprehensive study of this piece.

1.9 Definition Of Terms

The key terms in this work are the local government role community development.

Local Government

Nworji (2004) Local government is an organ of the state put in place to peddle the developmental activities of a particular place or district with the view of making the impact of government being felt at the grassroots level. Also Eyiyere (1999) see local government as the smallest government body created to take care of all local interest that requires government attention.

Role

The Oxford advanced dictionary role means the function that a person is expected to have or the function a person has.

According to Oxford dictionary, community means the people living in one place, district or country, considered as a whole.

Development

It means a programme change gear towards the equipment and sustainability of the value of life. Development entails change that is continuously taking in man and his physical environment.

Chapter Five

Summary Of Findings, Conclusion, And Recommendation

5.1 Summary

It cannot be over-stressed that the primary objectives of the 1976 local government return was to stimulate development at the local level through the active participation and involvement of the people themselves in identifying planning and executing projects designed to improvement their conditions of living.

It was aimed at integrating the rural communities into the rational life of the country through the process of community development.

Unfortunately, twenty good years has now elapsed but the noble objectives of the reform are yet to be realized. Some of the reasons found contributing to this unhealthy situation include the following factors.

1. Lack of dedication and commitment on the part of the local government councils. To the cause of community development.
2. Lack of adequate organization frame work and orientation.
3. Lack of executive capacity arising from lack of adequate trained, motivated and dedicated staff for efficient and effective implementation of council decisions on community development scheme.
4. Misplacement of organizational priorities and consequently, misdirection of funds (arising from 1 and 2 above).
5. Unreliable external funding and inability of the councils to generate internal revenue for development purpose.
6. The unhealthy political atmospheres, immaturity, witch-hunting, poor leadership, greedy and selfish interest gaining up against individuals or communities, contribute immensely lack of effective development programmed by the local government councils.

5.2 Recommendation

In will of the after mentioned findings made researcher recommendation as follows:

1. Co- ordination of the development efforts of the various formal and informal organizations/ government departments and agencies, town/village unions, social clubs, Christian organization, e.t.c
2. Procurement of adequately trained personnel for the organizational and educational processes associated with community development in their area of authority.
3. Planning and implementing small scale industries and agro-based pilot projects and engage in agricultural production.
4. Due to my sincere belief that any attempt at making the local government more effective and development oriented will be fruitless without the provision of adequate fund. I therefore recommend collected revenue should be increased and die under the immediate governance of the local government. And also this fund when provided should be monitored and controlled effectively so that it will not be diverted to individual pockets.
5. There should be improvement in the condition of services of the employees. This will raise the standard of performance of the staff and also attract qualified and competent and from out size.
6. Inspecting and reporting on both federal and state governments development project in their areas of federal and State government (or their agencies) should ensure that local government councils are adequately involved not only in the process of local projects in their area of authority, but also in the arrangement for the successful execution of such projects. This will further enhance the practice of the principle of participatory democracy at grassroots level.

5.3 Conclusion

Earlier in this research study, the researcher stated the problem, interlard, to investigate into the external the local government councils as represented by Ohaji Egbema local government are Imo State has been able to mobilize human and material resources for development of its area of jurisdiction. The researcher also set her objective of the study to be an insight into the functioning of the local government in 1976, with OWERRI MUNICIPAL as her case study, in the high of its efforts and performance in the area of community development.

From the gathered, and its analysis, the researcher found out that the local government council are far away from the realization of the objectives of the local government reform in the area of community development. I also found out that factors militating against the council efficiency in this area among other things, include lack of adequate organizational frame work and orientation, lack of dedication and commitment on the part of local government councils, misplacement of organizational priorities and the resultant misdirection of fund, greedy, and selfish interest on the part of the administers, and of course, the unreliable external funding and inability to generate internal revenue for development purpose.

From these researches, the researcher made a series of recommendation will made the situation and the rural communities will become available places to live

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