LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A VERITABLE INSTRUMENT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT A STUDY OF IZZI LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ABSTRACT
The study aimed at examining the contributions of izzi local government towards rural development in rural areas. Asserting the extent to which Izzi local government has contributed towards human capital development and the extent the local government has reduced the level of poverty in the area. Structural functional theory propounded by Gabriel Hammod and James coleman in 1960 was adopted to guide the study. A descriptive survey design was also adopted to study the population 234, 074 which was reduced to a sample size of 399 using Taro Yameni’s statistical formular and stratified sampling and random sampling techniques was used. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources, structured questionnaire instrument were used for data collected and frequency distribution table with simple percentage method were also used to analyze the data collection whereas statistical chi-square (X2) was applied in the empirical testing of the hypothese that guided the study. The study revealed the following findings: that the contributions of Izzi local government area towards rural development is significantly high considering their strides in the provision of social amenities, education etc. and another findings is that Izzi local government has contributed in reducing the level of poverty and as well as help towards human capital development. Finally the researcher recommends that the federal government should improve on statutory allocation to local government to assist them undertake capital project that will enhance rural development, and the statutory allocation of the local government should be paid directly into the local government account rather than state joint local account in order to reduce excessive control of the state government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title i
Certification ii
Approval iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements vii
Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE: INDRODUCTION
- Background of the Study 1
- Statement of the Problem 4
- Objective of the Study 6
- Research Hypothesis 7
- Significance of the Study 8
- Scope of the Study 9
- Limitation of the Study 9
- Theoretical Framework 10
- Operational Definition of Key Concept 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Meaning of the Local Government 13
2.2 The Historical Development of Local Government
in Nigeria 15
2.3 Reasons for the Creation Local Government 19
2.4 Brief History of Izzi Local Government Council 20
2.5 Definition/Meaning of Rural Development 21
2.6 Approaches to Rural Development 24
2.7 Local Government as Veritable Instrument for
Rural Development 28
2.8 The Challenges of Local Government in Rural
Development
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 36
3.2 Area of Study 36
3.3 Population of the Study 37
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques 37
3.4.1 Sample Size Determination 37
3.4.2 Sampling Technique 38
3.5 Sources of Data Collection 39
3.6 Instrument of Data Collection 39
3.7 Validity of Instrument 40
3.8 Reliability of Instrument 40
3.9 Method of Data Analysis 41
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Analysis 42
4.2 Testing of Hypothesis 55
4.3 Summary of Major Findings 64
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 66
5.2 Conclusion 67
5.3 Recommendations 68
APPENDICES 69
BIBLIOGRAPHY 72
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Local Government Administration is seen as veritable instrument for the development and management of affairs of the local populace for grassroots development through its nearness to the local areas. Local government Administration dates back to the colonial period when the British government introduced the indirect rule system of administration. However, it was the famous 1976 local government reforms that ushered in the modern local government system in Nigeria. Local government reform of 1976 remains a watershed in the existence, structure, composition and status of local government in Nigeria. The guidelines for this reform define local government as the “Government at the local level exercised through a representative council established by law to exercise specific powers within a defined area”. Local Government Administration facilitates the devolution or
decentralization of the powers, functions, and resources of the central government to the sub-national level government units (Ademolokun, 1990).
However, development is seen as the qualitative improvement in the living standard of members of the society and for development to be measured some indicators are used. Development indicators includes literacy level, rate of employment, good roads, regular supply of electricity, decent housing, medical facilities, education among others. According to Udoh (2005:54) the effectiveness of Local Government Administration is judged through this measures i.e development measures they generate and to the extent that it has catered satisfactorily for the happiness and general well being of the communities it has been established to serve. The principal aims of local government are to facilitate development at the rural area by providing development indicators for rural dwellers. Understanding the emphasis on local government as an instrument for rural development is based on the premise that small units of government stimulate grass root participation in development activities.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS A VERITABLE INSTRUMENT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT A STUDY OF IZZI LOCAL GOVERNMENT