COMMUNAL CONFLICTS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

0
432

ABSTRACT

One of the greatest threat facing the survival of Nigeria democracy and unity is insecurity occasioned by various communal conflicts. Communal conflicts in Nigeria are caused by competition over access to land and other natural resources. For over the years Yakurr local government area of cross river state Central senatorial district have been enmeshed in communal conflicts, resulting into huge human and economic loss. The study assessed communal conflicts and rural development in Yakurr local government area of cross river state, Nigeria. The protracted conflict theory by Karl Marx was used to underpin the study. The study adopted survey research design, where both primary and secondary were used. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, while chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. The study established that the protracted nature of the conflict in Yakurr local government area is as a result of non-implementations of the various committees/panels recommendations, the study also revealed that, the strategies adopted by the state government are not suitable for the management of the communal conflicts. Hence, the study recommended a supportive measures to the existing approach for conflict management in the area. Cross river state Government should adequately utilize peace talks as a strategy for the management of communal conflicts in the understudied areas and cross river state government should demonstrate its political will by implementing the recommendations of the committees‟ set-up by both state, researchers and the local government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE                                                                                                 i

DECLARATION                                                                                           ii

CERTIFICATION                                                                                         iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS                                                                           iv

ABSTRACT                                                                                                   v

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                               vi

LIST OF TABLES                                                                                         ix

CHAPTER ONE:

1.1 Background to the study                                                                          1

1.2 Statement of the Problem                                                                         7

1.3 Statement of Hypotheses                                                                          8

1.4 Research Questions                                                                                   8

1.5 Objectives of the Study                                                                            9

1.6 Significance of the Study                                                                         9

1.7 Scope of the Study                                                                                   10

1.8Definition of Terms                                                                                   10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1    Introduction                                                                                           11

2.1.1 Causes of Communal Conflict in Nigeria                                              12

2.1.2Communal Conflict and Rural Development                                         14

2.1.3Local Government and Conflict Resolution                                           19

2.1.4Additional Support to the Existing Mechanism for Conflict Resolution23

2.2    Theoretical Framework                                                                          24

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1    Research Design                                                                                    28

3.2    Study Area                                                                                             29

3.3    Population of the Study                                                                         30

3.4    Sources of Data Collection                                                                    31

3.5    Sample and Size Sampling Technique                                                   31

3.6    Research Instrument                                                                              32

3.6.1 Validity of Research Instrument                                                           32

3.6.2Administration of Research Instrument                                                 33

3.7     Method of Data Analysis                                                                     33

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF DATA AND DISCUSION

OF FINDINGS

4.1 Data Presentation                                                                                      34

4.2 Analysis and discussion of findings                                                         39

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary                                                                                                   60

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                                61

5.3 Recommendations                                                                                                62

REFERENCES

COMMUNAL CONFLICTS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA