ROLES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE GRASS ROOT LEVEL (A CASE STUDY OF IJEBU NORTH)

  ABSTRACT

This study is on roles of local government and economic development in the grass root level (a case study of Ijebu North). The total population for the study is 200 residents of Ijebu north, Ogun state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up youths, civil servants, village heads and elders of council was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUTION

• Background of the study

Local government administration in Nigeria is an off-shoot of the federal political arrangement which is basically characterized by decentralization of functions. Decentralization in this the context is regarded as a process through which powers, functions, responsibilities and resources are transferred from central to local governments and/or to other decentralized entities (United Nations 2006, p.8)

The local government, were created so as to enable the Federal and state government exercise effective control and development of the rural communities.

Hence, among the effective role of the local government (Anaocha local government) is the provision of      two way communication channel between the local communities and the central  government through the mobilization of  human  and material resources at the grass root.

The implication of the above is that the concept of rural as well as national development depends  on the  effective local government leaderships and administration for its success (Ngwu 1980) It also, implies that effective local  government is required for the planning, preparation and submission of the proposal for funding and initiation of any meaningful development project in Nigeria, this goes a long way to validate the assertion  made by  Agu (2001) that effective and efficient  leadership and administration of the  local government is required for  the sustenance  and utilization of development project in any nation. Hence the studies of Ezike (1998:45) and Hassan (1999:66) revealed that effective implement of development project are contingent on strong leadership of the local government area, particular at the planning stage.

In rural as well as national development, the understanding of the local power structure is capable of enhancing or impeding the implementation of development project. In addition local government (Anaocha) leadership is always required for the genuine involvement of the people at the grass root in any development project or activities of the government.

However, the local government (Anaocha) had actually in fulfilling their roles due to both financial as well as political problem. According to Williams (1998-50) most local government in Nigeria suffer from inadequate financial resources, this was recently known as zero accusation. Anaocha local government was vastly affected by this zero allocation epidemic and this affected a great number of developmental activities including the payment of its staff. Consequently, the available fund was not appropriately used due to the frustrating effort of the local government authority effort of the local government authority which was as a result of mismanagement. The local government in some cases suffers from over-staffing to the extent that most of its recourses are spent on the payment of staff salaries.

• STATEMENT OF THE PLROBLEM

Local government is the third tier  government established  to bring the presence  of government  nearer to the people at the  grass root,  with the aim  of providing some basic  functions or needs  of life such as, food, shelter, job opportunities primary b health  service, primary education, by roads,  market and so on. But contrary to expectations, the local governments have noticeable failed in their constitutional responsibilities. They are generally classified as been unproductive (President Oluegun Obasanjo in his address to the nation on the reasons behind the current local government reform: 2003. Stated that this current reform is  one of the major reforms previously done  on the local  government  system  in Nigeria, with their  sole objective of reforming the local government  system  to be effective and efficient , responsive and   objective. The local government is faced with a number of problems.

–        The problem of lack of productivity in the  local government.

–        The problem of unemployment and low incomes   for target group.

–        Lack of improved qualities in the basic needs of life- food, shelter, job opportunities health service, education etc.

–          Inability of the local government council to ensures that the poorer section of the population has some share in the fruits of economic activities. Lack of social services and economic growth. Therefore the problem confronting this research is to investigate the role of local government in economic development.

 1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are;

1. To determine the nature of local government administration.
2. To the role of local government on economic development in the grass root level
3. To determine the nature of development in local government administration
4. To ascertain the extent government administration played its roles in grass root level
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H₀: there is no role of local government on economic development in the grass root level

H₁: there is role of local government on economic development in the grass root level

H₀²: there is no nature of development in local government administration

H₂: there is nature of development in local government administration

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will be very significant to students, local government and the federal government. The study shall provide a framework of the nature of local government administration and its role in the determination of economic development. It seek to further draw attention of all stakeholders comprising of the federal government, state government etc to the significance of the local government with a view to assisting it overcome its numerous challenges towards the attainment of economic development

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers roles of local government and economic development in the grass root level. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

 1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Local government: This is government at a local level exercised through representative council established by laws to exercise specific functions within a defined area
2. Development: Development is a multidimensional process involving a re-organizational and re-orientation of the entire economic system in addition to improve income and outcome. Its typically involves radical changes in institution social as well popular attitude and sometimes even customers and belief.
3. Council: This refers to the organ the constitute representation of people either elected or nominated
4. Economic development: This economic development embraces improvement in standard of living and per capital income but also high level of employment reducing inflation adequate food high infrastructures stressing values rather than achievement.
5. Objectives: These are end result to which an organization or government activity directed objectives are hierarchical in nature are determined to formulate by top management of an organization after economic social & political force affecting the organization have been apprized.
   6. Programmes: This consists of essentially integrated series of development projects that spans over a length of time

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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