ENHANCING DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN NIGERIA THROUGH SELF HELP PROGRAMMES.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       The Strategic position of Local Government as the third tier of government closer to the grassroots had made local government a veritable instrument for rural development. As the government closer to the people, it has been the machinery for implementing both federal state and self initiated development programmes fro the betterment of the people.

       Local Government Administration in Nigeria therefore dates back to the Colonial Administration for effective administration of Nigeria vast territory, basically introduced this system. The colonialist on realizing it’s incapacity and lack of resources for running the large area of Nigeria, hitherto resorted to the system of indirect rule. The main pre-occupation of this system was the creation of conducive atmosphere for the effective administration of the territory.

       As from 1970’s national leader all over the world and even their followers started to change their negative attitude towards local government for more positive application of the role this level of government play.

       This re-awaking vis-à-vis the pivotal role of local government as a district tier of government has exclusive constitutional legislative list of functional subject. The fourth schedule of the 1976, 1989, 1995 and 1999 Republic of Nigeria Constitution outlined the function that should be performed by the local government (Onwe, 2004:20). Some of these listed functions are concurrent meaning that they could be secreted in conjunction with the state government or state private agencies. (Onwe, 2004)

       The modern local government became a veritable for the national government for grassroots/rural development because the reform established a uniform single tier, all- purpose local government council in Nigeria. Its features were also entrenched in the 1979 constitution. The 1979 constitution made it clear that although local government in Nigeria has some functional and structural relationship with the state and federal government, their sustenance became constitutional issues.

       Thus section 7(1) of the 1979, 1999 and even 2010 constitutions provided that “the system of democratically elected local government council is under this constitution guaranteed accordingly, government of every state shall ensure their sustenance under a law which provided for the establishment structure, composition, finance and function of a such council”. The 1999 constitution blazed a new part in the local government consequent upon the 1976 local government reform by implicitly guaranteeing the existence of democratically elected local government alongside the state and federal government (Okpata, 2004).

       In a bid to enhance the Nigeria local government system for better service delivery, presidentialism and its tenet separation of powers/check and balances was restored in the Nigeria local governments system. local government has been the agency for implementing federal and state government policies of successive requires both military and civilian for instance, during the Muhammad Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 1976, the rural development print was known as operation feed the nation (OFN) Shagari christened his own “The Green Revolution” other programmes include; the School on Wheel Better Life for Rural Women/Dwellers, Nomadic Education etc. The government of Obasanjo introduced the poverty eradication programme, which metamorphosed from his launched poverty alleviation programme (PAP) a number of programme delivery agencies were also set up, ranging from ministry of rural development to directorate for employment, directorate of mass mobilization, social justice and economic recovery (MAMSER).

       Based on self help programme, local government plays siginificant role in spear-heading the implementation of poverty reduction programmes. Self help programme of rural communities varies from one locality to another self help programmes in local government gives the local people the opportunity to acquire skill that will enable them to be employed or even self employed. It enhance their statue in the society making it possible with UNICEF assistance especially in the area of training, other forms of instructional materials are rubber mats, sewing machines is changing the life of the children. Self help programme need intensive mobilization and sensitization to enhance its performance.

       In 1007, Chiefg Martin N. Elechi, the incumbent governor of Ebonyi State created the ministry of Economic empowerment and poverty alleviation, all in the name of enhancing the local government area in the state for development. The office was created having known the economic backwardness of the state.

       The state governor’s focus was centered on policies tailored towards addressing the issues; hence, the creation of this office as a link to reach the people and reduce poverty by creating an enhancing environments for people to thrive economically. In respective of these efforts by federal and state government system, not much results have been realized, Local government have a lot of problems, truncating their efforts.

       Self help programme enhances development efforts in local government by fostering community self reliance have significant community participation and contribution help implove basic economic or social conditions at the local or social condition at the community or village level, be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, and necessary expertise and services, fall within the ability of local community to implement, in one year or less.

       In respective of these efforts by federal and state government system, not many results have been realized. Local governments have a lot of problems truncating their efforts. For instance; Ani (1999) observed that “one of the reasons why economic policies failed in Nigeria was lack of communication and understanding, these communicating gaps between the formulations of policies and those implementing them. Some officials did not understand the policies, with the result that each ministry was doing in its own without focusing on the particular objectives of government.

       Recent appraisal of the achievement in respect of human development and provision of resources required fro a decent living shows a disappointing Nigeria record. All these reports underscore the role of government in improving the quality life of the rural people (Mubogunje 1980:35). Hence, this study enhancing effort in the Nigeria local government system, through self help programme: A Study of Ohaukwu L.G.A., Ebonyi State is timely.

Ohaukwu L.G.A was created in 1989 with headquarter at Ezzangbo. History has it that it was carved out of Ishielu Local Government Council and has 15 political wards with sixteen (16) autonomous communities.

       Other factors favouring the research interest includes poor condition of living of rural people, especially in the area of social amenities and deliberate negligence pf developing the rural area by elite and political actors both at the local government and beyond.

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