The Role of Local Government in the Transformation of Rural Areas
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Given this scenario, this project work tries to examine factors responsible for the inability of our local government to exercise and concretize the lofty aims and objectives for which they were established.
To examine the problems and findings possible solutions to the numerous problems facing a particular reference to Ofu local government council
To highlight, analyze and evaluate the significance of local government administration to the transformation of rural areas.
To give recommendations and suggestions to the local government administration for effective and preset decision which will boost local government effectiveness and performance.
To improve the standard of living of the rural areas (dwellers).
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The study of local government has attracted quite a substantial amount of literatures in all its ramifications. Because of the malfunctioned roles of local government, scholars have undertaken studies and research on these studies. Parts of these functions’ ranges from the management of local government financing, staffing and manpower development, with a view of giving it the appropriate meaning it deserves.
There is a reasonable high degree of consensus among most scholars on the meaning of local government, although a few definitions after dipper marginally exist this to a large extent is a function of the divergent view of Socio- economic and political environment of most scholars.
According to professor odenigwe (1985) an erudite scholar in that field defined local government as a system of local administration under which local communities and towns are organized to maintain law and order, provide some limited range of Social services and public amenities and encourage the Co-operation and participation of the inhabitants in joint endeavours towards the improvement of their living. It provides the community with formal organizational framework, which enable them to conduct their affairs effectively and regulate the actions of their member for the general public in a scholarly contribution, Ikelegbe A.O. (1976) did not only define the concept of local government but also provided an elaborate explanation of the goals of local government according to him the goal are facilitation of democratic self governance at the local level through local representative, the mobilization and management of local respires through local involvement and encouragement, the planning and provision of services and development activities, based on local needs, enhance stability and decentralize government activities and services closest to the people and the integration of local communities into the federal scheme and state and federal governments through vital communication mobilization and inputs to government.
According to united Nations office for public administration (1986) defines local government as a political sub-division of a nation or in federal system of a state which is constituted by law and has substantial control over local affairs including the power to impose tax or to exert labour for prescribed purpose.
The governing body of such an entity is elected or otherwise locally selected. This could also be elaborated among the subheading below.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
Local government administration is the third tier of the government which has limited bound within it operates. In the case of a federal system it is usually a third tier of government while in situation where a country is operating a unitary system the local government it can be said to be in the second tier category. This is because of the absence of state or regional government.
Local government administration covers a delimited area within such an area, it is the study of local government officials to ensure that people of the area are gully involved in the political economic and social administration of their locality. Local government ensures that, the need of the people within its area of jurisdiction are satisfied.
Local government administration could be further explained in the following sub-heading (5).
BUDGETING
Local government administration could not be effective without budgeting, the local government also try to bring out their own budget within a particular time. This budget is used for building of school, road, hospital, library and so on.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
Research design is a detailed outline of how an investigation took place. It entails how data is collected, the data collection tools used and the mode of analyzing data collected (Cooper & Schindler (2006). This study used a descriptive research design. Gill and Johnson (2002) state that a descriptive design looks at particular characteristics of a specific population of subjects, at a particular point in time or at different times for comparative purposes. The choice of a survey design for this study was deemed appropriate as Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) attest that it enables the researcher to determine the nature of prevailing conditions without manipulating the subjects.
Further, the survey method was useful in describing the characteristics of a large population and no other method of observation can provide this general capability. On the other hand, since the time duration to complete the research project was limited, the survey method was a cost effective way to gather information from a large group of people within a short time. The survey design made feasible very large samples and thus making the results statistically significant even when analyzing multiple variables. It allowed for many questions to be asked about a given topic giving considerable flexibility to the analysis. Usually, high reliability is easy to obtain by presenting all subjects with a standardized stimulus; observer subjectivity is greatly eliminated. Cooper and Schindler (2006) assert that the results of a survey can be easily generalized to the entire population
Sources of Data
The data for this study were generated from two main sources; Primary sources and secondary sources. The primary sources include questionnaire, interviews and observation. The secondary sources include journals, bulletins, textbooks and the internet.
Population of the Study:
A study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description (Prince Udoyen: 2019). In this study the study population constitute of all the communities that make-up the area of study. The total number of population of these communities as reviewed by the 2006 census figure is 137,300.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Data Presentation
This chapter presents a detailed analysis and interpretation of the data obtained through questionnaires administered on the assessment of the role of local government in transformation of rural area using Ofu Local government area Council of Kogi State as a study area.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
This study was carried out to examine the role of local government in transformation of rural area with a view to finding out its impact on grassroots/transformation of rural area. The study was conducted in Ofu Local government area and its constituent communities. The study has three main objectives which were specifically to; ascertain whether Ofu Local government area has contributed substantially to transformation of rural area, finding out if inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified engineers all types, medical doctors, etc) has any effect on the ability of Ofu Local government area council in carrying out transformation of rural area programme and verifying whether inadequate financing by both state and federal governments hinders the council in carrying out developmental programmes.
The study was anchored on the “system theory” of David Easton. The theory argues that in every system, which includes political system, there are subsystems making up the entire system. These subsystems are assigned functions and provided with enabling empowerment, including resources, appropriate authority, etc. to enable them discharge their responsibilities optimally.
The method adopted in this study is a triangulation of survey and descriptive analysis, which provided general impressions, summary of observations and findings made from the data collected. The methodology provided tools for the analysis of the impact of local government on grassroots development with Ofu Local government area as case study.
Conclusion
Generally, it could be seen that Ofu Local government area has not been effective in the development of rural communities. It conclusion reveals that transformation of rural area are in adequately carried out in the local government area. For instance, with exception of the local government headquarters and few other communities are not electrified and the possibilities of embarking on these projects are very remote. This ahs slowed down some other projects like cottage industries, pipe-borne water in equally in short supply in the local government area. The council has not performed well in the provision of medical facilities as most of the communities in the riverine areas travels far for medical services.
The council has performed below expectation in the provision and maintenance of primary schools in the area, in some communities pupils provide their own desks with which to sit and learn, the council fails to utilize its manpower in carrying out projects rather prefer the use of contractors who gives kickbacks. Finance is the bedrock of every business and government, it evident that the council lacks the seriousness in the pursuance of internally generated revenue relying mostly the Federal and State allocation which are not enough even pay workers salaries.
Recommendations
From the findings, I discovered that lack of seriousness on the part of the Ofu Local government area revenue collection staff, dishonesty of revue officials, inadequate vehicles and boats for revenue drive among others contribute to low internally generated revenue in the local government.
We therefore recommend that effort should be made by the council to revive revenue drive in the council and reward dedicated and honest staff. There is also need to procure additional vehicles and boats to help revenue personnel to discharge their duty efficiently and effectively. We recommend that the council should use direct labour in executing of projects rather than the use of contractors, money paid to contractors can be channelled into other developmental projects in the area.
Ofu Local government area should expound it revenue generation to the water ways by collecting tax from the users of the water ways within her territories.
There need for the council to procure tractors and fertilizers that will help the farmers in their production, and also bridge communities that are close with concrete bridge rather than wood walkways which will not last for a long period of time.
The present situation whereby development is concentrated in the local government headquarters to utter neglect of the rural communities does not give the other communities a sense of belonging. A change is required in this regard.
It important for the Federal and State to review the allocation of local governments, because the provision of primary education and health facilities will be improved upon when there is better allocation from the Federal and State governments.
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