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TITLE PAGE
EVALUATION OF SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA (2007-2014)
BY
OBASI CHINENYE JANET PG/M.Sc./14/69765
A RESEARCH PROJECT
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION WITH SPECIALIZATION IN HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
SUPERVISOR: DR. IKEANYIBE M. O.
JUNE, 2016 ii
APPROVAL PAGE
This research project has been approved for the Department of Public Administration and Local
Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
BY
.………………………… .……………………………. DR M.O IKEANYIBE PROF. OGUONU, C. SUPERVISOR H.O.D
DATE………..……….. DATE……………………..
…….…………………… … …………………………….. PROF. I. A. MADU EXTERNAL EXAMINER DEAN, FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCE
DATE……………………… DATE……………………...
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CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that Obasi, Chinenye Janet, a postgraduate student in the Department of Public
Administration and Local Government with Registration number PG/M.Sc./14/69765, has satisfactorily completed the requirements for the course and research work for the award of
Master of Science Degree (M.Sc.) in Public Administration. Her area of specialization is Human
Resources Management. She has written this thesis under our guidance and supervision and to the best of our knowledge, her work is original and she acknowledged all secondary information and materials contained therein.
….……………………… …………………………. DR. M.O IKEANYIBE PROF OGUONU, C SUPERVISOR H.O.D
DATE …………………………. DATE …..………………….
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to the Almighty God and to my late mother Ngozi Ruth Obasi (Ada Zion).
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
With immense gratitude, I acknowledge all my enviable lecturers in the Department of
Public Administration and Local Government, from whose wealth of knowledge I drew much knowledge and whose efforts collectively made me a graduate of post graduate studies of the institution. Indeed, space may not allow me to mention all these noble Doctors and Professors who in one way or another helped to prepare me for an M.Sc. degree in Public Administration.
My heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgement goes to my supervisor Dr M. O Ikeanyibe, who despite his tight schedule and other academic entanglement meticulously supervised this work. He is worthy of special recognition because of his guidance and endurance in correcting the work to ensure that it is up to standard. His quest for excellence made him go through every detail in the work and I can firmly attest to the fact that without his support, the work would have been a failure. The work may not have satisfied his yearning for standard but he decided to give my little academic strength some considerations.
Words are not enough to express my profound gratitude to my family, friends and colleagues; Cynthia Chukwu, Onuoha Shadrach, Johnmark, Egbo Stanley and Okonkwo Ekene for their moral support.
Thank you all and God bless you.
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Abstract This study evaluated the deteriorating state of social services at the Local Government levels in Abia State, Nigeria (2007-2014). The objectives of the study were aims were to ascertain the contributions of elected and appointed local government officials towards social service delivery, identify other bodies that complemented the efforts of local governments towards basic infrastructural provisions and to identify the challenges hindering the effective and efficient social services provisioning by the Local Governments. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. The Efficiency Service Theory was adopted for the discourse as it sees the local government as the best agent for providing social services at the local level in the most effective and efficient manner. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study while questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents in the study area. Systematic sampling method was used to select three Local Governments from the three Senatorial Zones in the state for the study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. Qualitative data and extensive literature review were also used in the analysis to reflect historical evolution and the objectives of social services in the study area in order to establish the present state and nature of service delivery. The findings of the study revealed that although the Federal and State public agencies, NGOs, local communities and philanthropists complemented the efforts of the local government in social service delivery, the local government as the closest level of government to the people has failed to meet the desire of rural and grassroots development through social service delivery. These failures were largely due to appointment of local government chairmen which resulted to less service delivery because those appointed owed their allegiance to the people who appointed them rather than the masses, excessive interference of the federal and state governments in local government affairs, top-down policy approach, lack of financial and qualified personnel, corruption through bribery, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds among others. The implications of the study were that poor performance of Local Governments on social service led to underdevelopment and these would continue to thrive in the rural areas of the state if measures were not taken to curb these problems. It is therefore recommended that there should be election of local government chairmen rather than appointment to encourage the political leaders’ commitment to the needs of the people, sourcing for alternative sources of revenue apart from federal and state allocations, and involvement of the people in projects and programmes concerning them to avoid negligence and decay among others.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page------i
Approval Page------ii
Certification------iii
Dedication ------iv
Acknowledgment ------v
Abstract------vi
Table of Contents ------vii
1.0 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study ------1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ------6
1.3 Objectives of the Study ------9
1.4 Significance of the Study ------10
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study ------11
2.0 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHOOLOGY 2.1 Introduction ------13
2.1.1The Concept of Social Services ------13
2.1.2 Reason Importance and Types of Social Service------16
2.1.3 Historical Development of Social Service Delivery in Nigeria ------19
2.1.4 Local Government in Nigeria and Social Service Delivery ------24
2.1.5 Evaluation of Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria ------28
2.1.6 Justifications for Social Service Delivery at the Local Government Level in Nigeria--32
2.1.7Agents of Social Service Delivery at the Local Level in Nigeria------35 2.1.8 Limitations of the Local Government to Social Service Delivery------37 2.1.9 Gap in Literature------40
2.2 Theoretical Framework------41 viii
2.3 Hypotheses ------47
2.4 Operationalization of Key Concepts ------47
2.5 Methodology ------48
2.5.1 Sources of Data Collection------48
2.5.2 Reliability of Instrument------49
2.5.3 Validity of Instrument------49
2.5.4 Population of the Study ------50
2.5.6 Sample of the Study------50
2.5.7Method of Data Analysis ------51
3.0 CHAPTER THREE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE AREA OF STUDY 3.1 Brief History of Abia State------52
3.2 The Peoples Culture ------53
3.3 Economy------53
3.4 The Local Government System and Nature of Management in Abia State (2007-2014)-54
3.5 The Management of the Local Government in Abia State (2007-2014)------56
3.6 The Areas of Social Services Provided by Abia State Local Government------57
4.0 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 4.1 Introduction ------62
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis------62 4.3 Testing of the Hypotheses------89 4.4 Findings and Discussion of Findings ------103
5.0 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Summary ------105 5.2 Recommendations ------106 5.3 Conclusion ------109 BIBLIOGRAPHY ------111 APPENDIX ------119 1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM
Social service provisioning is inevitable in human existence. The security and development of any nation depend critically on the adequacy of its social service delivery to the populace (Nnamani and Chilaka, 2012:1). It is a global trend and a response to social needs and social problems of the people. According to Iloh and Bahir (2013:102), “Social service encompasses programmes aimed at achieving some objectives and it relates to the social system in the goals of social policies. All social policies are directed towards change not only in the structure of society but for the living conditions of the people in the society”. Social service programmes are services provided by a governmental agency for welfare of persons or the community at large such as basic infrastructural facilities, child protection, free education, health care delivery and agriculture. The efficiency and effectiveness of social services provisioning has been viewed to be critical to the overall development of a nation. Social service programmes contribute to development in such areas as job creation, economic growth, poverty reduction, mortality, rural-urban migration, diversification of the economy, citizen empowerment, self actualization and happiness among others.
In Nigeria, it is the responsibility of government to deliver social services, efficiently and effectively to the people. However, with the complexity of modern government and inevitable diverse and multiplicity of responsibilities, the local government was created to meet the social needs and problems at the grassroots in order to ensure even development. Hence, Egberi and
Madubueze (2014:1) assert that, “One of the ways of bringing government closer to the people at 2 the grassroots is through the delivery of social services in a satisfactory, timely, effective and adequate manner”.
The local government in Nigeria is the third tier of government, primarily established to deliver effective and efficient service at the local level. Hence, social service delivery has become a tool for governance at the local level to ensure sustainable development at the grassroots. These social service provisions by the local government which includes; basic infrastructural facilities, health, education, agriculture, regulatory services and other developmental activities is not limited to Nigeria, but are also obtained in other countries of the world adopting the local government system like the United States of America (U.S.A), United
Kingdom (U.K), India, France among others.
Abia State, with the capital at Umuahia is one of the south-eastern states created out of the old Imo State on 27th August, 1991 by the then government of Major General Ibrahim
Badamosi Babangida. This was to ensure rapid development at the rural level, using its 17 local governments as a tool to achieve social services provision at the local level. However, the creation of local governments has not met the delivery of social services so as to meet the diverse social needs and problems of the local community.
Erondu and Oladejo (2015:2) are of the view that, “Social service provision has not been met in rural societies of most developing economies of the world, especially in Africa”. In supporting this assertion, Kofi Annan in Erondu and Oladejo (2015:2) is of the opinion that;
“We tended to take for granted some of the essential services, like health, education, infrastructure, and others. But now, of course, everybody realizes that without good health, without basic education, and others, you are not going to move forward”.
There is a deplorable condition of infrastructural facilities, education, health, and agriculture in Abia State. Although not exclusive to other social services, the provision of 3 infrastructural facilities from 2007-2014 have not been encouraging. In the report of Chukwu
(2014), there has been no meaningful development with regards to infrastructural facilities in
Abia state of 22 years existence. On the issue of water supply, few people have access to safe drinking water. In the view of an article in ThisDayLive (2015), “it is clearly evident that the country has failed the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDG) target of 75 percent coverage of access to safe drinking water by the citizens. Indeed, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (NOI)
Polls Limited conducted mid last year, 47 percent of Nigerians still cannot access clean drinking water with 83 percent of Nigerians sourcing their water privately, while only about 9 percent are connected to the public sewage system. The effect of the lack or insufficiency of this primary need is devastating on Abians. Bad roads have become a means of identification of the state.
According to Eze (2015) in the Nation News, The fact that roads in Abia state have erroneously remained on the front burner is not only troubling but calls for immediate concern and attention by appropriate authorities. In a comment made by Olughu in Eze (2015), Most of the roads in
Aba and Umuahia are littered with potholes, Aba the commercial nerve center has only two pedestrian crossings, and Umuahia one”. This is very disheartening in a state where the ‘Japan of
Nigeria’ is located. The epileptic power supply bordering the country is particularly outstanding in the state. There is unstable and patchy supply of electricity. It slows down businesses, discourages economic growth and concomitantly, the overall development of the country. Social service delivery in education is yet to be seen; schools are now based on the ability of an individual to pay for the services rendered; the health sector has witnessed a gross malfunction.
Hospital facilities and equipments are no longer accessible to the common man; and Agriculture, which remains the mainstay of the states economy, has made little contribution to the states
GDP. Lack or insufficiency of the local government in providing welfare services to promising farmers, makes it a subsistence, rather than a commercial venture. Of course, infrastructural 4 decay and poor maintenance culture of the few existing social services is still the norm in social services provisioning in the state.
The period (2007-2014) is considered apt to the study because facts and figures representation shows that there was a deplorable condition of social services delivery in the State during this period. Woko (2015) is of the view that Abia State is undoubtedly one of the states in
Nigeria that is in dire need of infrastructural development. This is because of non performance from previous administration (Orji Uzor Kalu 1999-2007, and Theodore A. Orji 2007-2014). In support of this assertion, Nwobosi (2014) is of the view that during the period 2007-2014, the administration boasted of providing basic infrastructures and laying the foundation for solid development in the state which still remains a mirage. In Abia Facts Newspaper (2015), Poor road infrastructure has become a national shame and there is hardly any part of the country that can boast of motorable roads, unfortunately, no tier of government can be said to have performed creditably well on matters of roads construction and maintenance. To be sure, in the Senators’
Road ordeal in Abia State by Abia Facts News Editor (2015), at some locations, they could peer into the abyss created by erosion. At other points it was practically impossible to continue their journey. The roads are unspeakably bad, the erosion sites frightening. Also, the figure obtained from a field survey carried out in Abia state by Ifenkwe (2011:77) is disappointing. In the state of rural feeder roads in Aba Zone and Umuahia Zone, 78.0% and 100% respondents attested to the poor state of rural feeder roads in the two zones respectively. 62.0% and 50% respondents in
Aba Zone and Umuahia zone respectively attested to poor rural electrification while 8.0% respondents in Umuahia zone affirmed the non-existence of rural electrification in the zone.
26.0% and 52% respondents in Aba Zone and Umuahia zone respectively attested to poor rural 5 water and sanitation in the two zones respectively while 34% respondents in Umuahia zone affirmed the non- existence of rural electrification in the zone.
During the aforementioned period, there was great expectation of Abians on the newly democratic elected and appointed officials of the state in 2007 following the 2007 election. The enthusiasm of the people on their political leaders were muddled and relegated to the background, following their unwillingness to improve the welfare of the people through social services delivery. The state of social services delivery has not led to a betterment of the lives of
Abians.
The provision of social services by the local government may be carried out exclusively or in partnership with other tiers of government or other agencies. The local government function alongside the federal government, state government, local communities, NGOs as well as profit based enterprises in delivery of social services for the upliftment and well-being of the society.
But in most situations in Abia state, the onus of social service delivery lies on the local government alone, without support from the local communities and other agencies. The result becomes dire for the people leading to a high rate of poverty, unemployment, rural-urban migration, high crime rate, high mortality rate, and other forms of social ills. The diverse nature of social service delivery calls for more attention in other sectors of the economy in meeting up with the diverse social needs of the people.
The data enumerated so far about the deplorable state of social service delivery at the local government level in Nigeria are mere tips of the iceberg. It exposes us to the fact that social services are not effectively and efficiently delivered. This raises the issue of how to reposition social services to meet the developmental needs of the local governments in Abia state for overall rural development. Hence, the deplorable state of social service provision in Abia state, 6 an oil producing state in a country tagged the ‘Giant of Africa’ becomes a mystery to be unraveled by the study. It is on this background that this research is anchored.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Iloh and Bahir (2013:102) are of the view that unlike other countries, Nigeria has weakly supported social welfare system for her citizens. In support of this, Nwofia (2010:167) rightly asserts that, “the Nigerian society is still characterized by underdevelopment. The social environment lacks such important facilities as good healthcare, education, security, social justice, e.t.c” and the above problems directly affect the people. The inefficiency and ineffectiveness of social service delivery is the problem that triggered this study. Over the years, social services delivery has been relegated to the background in the issues of overall development in Nigeria.
The dearth of and inadequacy of social services is pitiable especially in Abia state local governments. Following the empowerment of the local government in social services delivery at the grassroots in the 1976 local government reform, there still exist disparities in the provisioning of social services between urban and rural areas, creating a situation where services were not delivered at all, especially in rural areas. As represented by facts and figures, the weak condition of social services delivery by the local governments in Abia state from 2007-2014 is outstanding. In a state tagged ‘Gods Own State’, it has become ironical that there is still high rate of poverty, unemployment and all forms of social ills. There still remains a wide gap between social service provision by Abia state local governments and satisfaction of social needs and problems of the rural communities. By implication, access to effective social services is no longer an advantage enjoyed by the people at the local level, but as a legitimate right of only a privileged few in the community. This stance emphasizes that “service to the people” as a parameter for local government transformation has been relegated to the background. 7
Although there were other services that were delivered by Abia state local governments like health centers and dispensaries, education, parks and gardens, cemeteries, public safety, etc, there seemed to be a problem with the provision of basic infrastructural facilities with particular focus on water and road. Part of the problem was that there were still disparities with regard to the provision of water because some rural areas did not have access to safe drinking water and good roads, housing and power supply is either unavailable or epileptic. There had been some complaints in the rural communities regarding lack of safe drinking water and bad roads where communities claimed that in some areas of the local government, the delivery of the above social services was epileptic. This dissatisfaction had resulted in the writing of letters and articles of complaints to Abia state government, who contradict the people’s claims. It therefore, became apparent to check the validity of the claims of the rural populace and the local governments, not only with regard to the provision of these services, but also with regard to the efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of these social services.
As agents of rural development, Abia state local governments and their internally generated revenue are made to improve on the people within their areas of operations through initiating and attracting developmental projects to the local government such as provision of access roads and good water but rural development is yet to be seen in the local areas. According to Eze (2012), “Abia state received in 2011 a total gross allocation of 4,214,342,462.96 naira
(that is more than 4.2 billion naira) from the federal government. Of this amount, (more than 450 million naira) came from the 13% share of derivation as an oil producing state”. However, their total revenue base has failed to alleviate the standard of living of the rural communities, which is the main reason for their creation. That is, to provide social services for the grassroots. By implication, it has become obvious that the local government alone cannot remain the sole 8 provider of social services. This can be attributed to many limitations of which finance is a prime factor.
The local government’s political leaders consist of elected and appointed officials, who are supposed to be representing the peoples interest but there is lack of clarity on their roles or contributions towards social service delivery in their local government areas. In most situations, there is politicization of social services delivery, where the preferences of powerful and minority interest groups reflect the social services provided in a locality. The power tussle for social services also leads to white elephant projects and abandonment of projects. The rural communities, who are the real beneficiaries becomes the dumping ground for such politicized projects, hardly reflecting their social needs and problems.
The issue of infrastructural decay is a plight in social services delivery in Abia state. Though there is inadequacy of social services delivered in the state, the pitiable state of the few infrastructural facilities provided, though not exclusive to other social services, calls for more attention. The poor maintenance culture of the few existing social services in Abia state has posed a question to the importance of community participation on programmes and projects in the local areas. This leads to evasion of sustainability of development.
The local governments in Nigeria have always being plagued with excessive interference from the state government. The impact of this interference on social services delivery in Abia state local governments from 2007-2014 was devastating to the rural communities. It has become axiomatic that social services like water supply, health, education, and roads falls under the concurrent list of functions of the state and local government. This leads to political and administrative clashes and conflicts as to which level government is responsible and best fit for the provision of a particular type of social service or not. In a bid to outwit the other, the 9 beneficiaries become the victim as it becomes difficult to hold either accountable in a situation of lack or inadequacy of social services delivered.
Another major problem is the formulation and implementation personnel in the local governments in Abia state. According to Anugwom (2000) in Ogonu and Ikeanyibe (2010:180),
“The local governments lack the capacity to attract high quality manpower”. The poor state of the delivery of all aspects of social service; infrastructural facilities, education, health and agriculture lies on local government personnel who plan and implement developmental projects and programmes without assessing the basic needs and problems of the people. The implication of this is for local government to transform word into deeds, and thus to prioritize and satisfy the needs of the communities they service.
Against the above background, it then becomes imperative to ask the following research questions which will guide the study.
1. How did elected and appointed Local Government officials make contributions towards
social service delivery in Abia State Local Governments in the period (2007-2014)?
2. What other bodies complemented the efforts of Abia State Local Governments towards
basic infrastructural facilities service provision in the period (2007-2014)?
3. What are the challenges to effective and efficient social service delivery by Abia State
Local Governments in the period (2007-2014)?
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of the study is to evaluate the provision of social service by the
local governments in Abia State, Nigeria from 2007-2014.
The specific objectives of the study are to: 10
1. ascertain the contributions of elected and appointed Local Government officials
towards social service delivery in Abia State Local Governments (2007-2014).
2. identify other bodies that complemented the efforts of Abia State Local Governments
towards basic infrastructural facilities service provision (2007-2014).
3. identify the challenges hindering the provisioning of effective and efficient social
services by Abia State local governments (2007-2014).
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance can be viewed from both the theoretical and practical perspectives.
Theoretically, this work is relevant due to its contribution to existing literature on social service delivery and provides a platform for further research. Its relevance lies on its capacity to extend the frontier of knowledge on the role of local government in social service delivery.
Lecturers, teachers, and readers will find the work useful as a reference material.
Practically, the significance of the study is as follows:
• The study would clear the lopsided mind of Nigerians and put it in a proper perspective
towards social services delivery; Many Nigerian citizens see social service delivery as the
responsibility of the government alone. The study would expand their narrow view and
encourage active participation of all towards ensuring an effective and efficient social
service delivery system.
• It would encourage active participation by communities in prioritizing their social needs
for quick response; in the planning and implementation stage of social services,
developmental projects and programmes are usually a top-down approach which leads to
the delineation of local communities. The study would encourage active participation of 11
the people not only in ensuring that the social services provided are based on their
basic needs and problems, but also to ensure sustainability of development.
• It would provide recommendations to Nigerians, the government, and communities on
solving the problems hindering effective and efficient social service provisioning.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
SCOPE
The phenomenon of social service delivery is global. Hence, it would be virtually difficult, if not impossible to study every aspect of social services, at different epochs, and at different tiers of government in the world. Hence, the scope of the study is on basic infrastructural facilities with particular focus on good water supply and portable roads, and covers the period (2007- 2014).
The location of the study is the local governments in Abia State. Abia State was selected because the researcher is an indigene of the state and has seen a need as have been outlined in the statement of the problem to evaluate social services delivery at the local government level. There are seventeen (17) local governments and three (3) senatorial zones in the state. However three
(3) local governments’ areas were systematically selected from the three senatorial zones. They are Bende local government (Abia North senatorial zone); Umuahia North local government
(Abia Central senatorial zone); and Aba North local government (Abia South senatorial zone).
LIMITATIONS
The researcher encountered financial limitation as there was lack of sponsorship from corporate bodies. Also, there was lack of data. The material resources for gathering data with which to evaluate social services delivery in Abia State are not exhaustive. Some public 12 documents are confidential and accessibility to them is restricted. Vital document like journals, literature and other relevant material were not easy due to network fluctuation in the country.
Furthermore, in view of the nature of the topic under study, the researcher is anticipating limitations in questionnaire administration. This is because respondents may not be literate enough to understand the questions to be posed in the questionnaire and hence, will require translation in the local language, they may exhibit hostile attitude towards the researcher, they may show bias in providing accurate information, and may be unwilling to respond to the researcher.
However, despite the anticipated limitations encountered in the course of the study, the researcher tends to successfully conduct this research and overcome these limitations through extensive use of internet file and documents, use of well structured unambiguous questionnaires, use of official documents as well as official publications and relevant scholarly publications and articles to ensure that the findings of the study are carried out to meet the desired needs with maximum validity.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study is to examine the impact of social service delivery at the local government level. Therefore, in the light of the above, it is pertinent to review principally and thematically extant literatures in order to understand the different ideological orientations and stand points of scholars on the issues under investigation. This literature review will be arranged along the following sub-headings.
• The Concept of Social Services
• Reason/Importance and Types of Social Service
• Historical Development of Social service Delivery in Nigeria
• Local Government in Nigeria and Social Services Delivery
• Evaluation of Local Government and Social Services Delivery (Basic Infrastructural
Facilities) in Nigeria
• Justifications for Social Services Delivery at the Local Government level in Nigeria
• Agents of Social Service Delivery at the Local Level in Nigeria
• Limitations of the local Government to Social Services Delivery
2.1.1 THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Social services, as a wide concept encompasses many areas of social needs including social welfare, social security to help advance human kind and improve his standard of living. It is an aspect of social policy. Ikeanyibe (2013:150) opines that:
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“Government intervenes in various sectors, economic, political, cultural relations with other nations, agriculture, etc, through various types of public policies, and social life of citizens particularly through social policy”.
However, there has been a consensual difficulty in grappling with the meaning of social services. This is because it varies from country to country and also, a reflection of the political ideologies of the ruling class. According to Thursz and Vigilante(1970: 273) “Each country presents a special set of circumstances, and the structure of its delivery system is inevitably affected by its history, economic ability, political ideology, cultural heritage, religious, traditions, degree of ethnic heterogeneity, military needs, whether imaginary or real, and so on”. A narrower definition is provided by Strettenn (1964) who argues that: In the widest sense social services denotes wellbeing. More narrowly, it refers to the comfort and improvement of people, over and above money income earned, in so far as they are affected by the policies of the central, state or local government, private firm, or voluntary institutions. Another important feature of social services is its principle of no exclusion and equal consumption to those who are eligible.
An example is the maternity health services. Pregnant women are eligible to this social service.
Also, maternity health treatment is equally given to all pregnant women.
In many societies of the world, the content of social services includes services to special target groups like the family as a unit, pre-school children, children, youth, migrants, women, refugees, old people, unemployed or the community as a whole. The natures of the services vary but usually they include some or all of the above social services (Iteogu, 2011:31).
The concept of social services delivery is equated with the provision of social services like education, security, drinking water, sanitation, infrastructure, transportation like mass transit, social welfare services like bursary, scholarships to students, disaster prevention and rehabilitation (Akujuru and Enyioko, 2015:4). Social service delivery is the process involved in 15 the transfer of social services from the providers of social service; public sector, private sector or both to the beneficiaries so as to satisfy their needs at the least cost. It is the process of improving the welfare and the quality of life of the people through various developmental projects and programmes. The mode of social service delivery of a country reflects their economic and political ideologies.
Consequently, Ogonu and Ikeanyibe (2010:178) posits that:
“Today the concept of social services has undergone a great transformation not only in the services covered, but also in the manner of their provisions. The provision of governmental services as paternalism is fast becoming outdated. These principles of marketization, commercialization, privatization and deregulation have been introduced into many areas/services that were previously considered as public goods that should be provided as welfare package. The implication of this is that citizens now pay a fair deal for the services provided. Hence the tendency to demand high quality services for the worth of their money”. Furthermore, Ogonu and Ikeanyibe (2010:178) remarks that, the current service delivery initiative for government today is based on the idea of customer-orientation culture. The concern of those providing public or social services should be to achieve customer satisfaction, while the citizen to whom the services are provided for should demand quality services as a matter of right rather than as paternalistic gifts. In other words, managers of government institution should begin to understand more the fundamental reason for their position which is to serve the public.
They must therefore constantly seek for the best ways to deliver public goods in accordance with customer/citizen requirements and preferences which is central to effective delivery of governmental services. It entails adopting service delivery innovations through various modes like contracting, outsourcing, franchising, privatizing, commercializing etc, that not only ensure the provision of services to meet stake holders’ expectation but also done in the best manner of 16 utilization of available resources. Effective service delivery as currently conceptualized is against the bossy attitude of service providers that see themselves as king rather than seeing the customer as king. Such monopolistic attitude breeds inertia and lack of initiative.
Effective service delivery connotes the formulation, design and implementation of governmental policies, programmes or services to the satisfaction of the clientele. The notion of delivery’ underscores, that service in question actually reached the needful. Effective social service delivery therefore underscores the satisfaction of clientele needs/demands in the design and rendering of services and the prudent and efficient application of scarce resources both human, material and physical resources (Ogonu and Ikeanyibe, 2010:179).
The onus of social service delivery lies on the government and its various agencies, though not exclusively. It has become axiomatic that the local governments, due to its proximity to the grassroots have been charged with the delivery of social services at the local level. The developed countries have a more effective delivery system of social services than the developed countries in ensuring the welfare of their citizens. Examples of major services performed by the local governments of the developed countries like The United States, Denmark, Canada, Finland and Australia are education, police and fire protection, refuse, water supply, public housing, etc.
Social service is an area of social policy which is critical to the development of a nation.
Hence, it deserves committed attention in most developing countries. The reason for placing great importance on social services delivery is discussed below.
2.1.2 REASON/IMPORTANCE AND TYPES OF SOCIAL SERVICE
Social services represent services which are official to individuals, groups or communities either by the government or by non-governmental agencies in order to cope with social problems and to enhance the welfare of the people individually and collectively and are justified outside the free-market mechanism. It is those services provided to foster integration 17 and discourage alienation among the members of society. The reason for the rapid growth of social services lies in the self-evidence fact that increasing social services is what really constitute “development” from the people’s viewpoint, individual, political parties, or governments who seek popularity; political support or votes must patronize the populace through the most ambitious promise of social services provision (Nwoba, 2015).
Social service is a developmental asset. The provision and sustenance of social services are crucial in realizing the objectives of rural development and concomitantly, national development. Rural development has been viewed by scholars to mean the restructuring of the economy in order to satisfy the material needs and aspirations of the rural masses, and to promote individual and collective incentives to participate in the process of development.
This involves a host of multi-sectoral activities, including the improvement of agriculture, the promotion of rural industries, the creation of the requisite infrastructure and social overheads, as well as the establishment of appropriate decentralized structures in order to allow mass participation (Okoroafor et al, 2014:15).
Hence, to attain rural development therefore, the provision of social services in basic infrastructure and other areas of human needs play a pervasive role and acts as a catalyst for economic growth. Its provision can alleviate the deplorable conditions suffered by the rural community and encourages increasing productivity, thereby attracting enterprise and reducing the level of poverty and social needs. By implication, the impact of social services delivery on rural development is an added boost to the Nigeria’s economy.
Furthermore, Okoli (2008) is of the view that the commitment by government and other social services providers to provide basic services, coupled with the yearning of the masses most of which reside in rural areas is a motivating factor for the availability of social services. Hence, the provision of essential social services such as health, education, water, roads and housing has 18 always been of uttermost necessity. The need for social services is born out of the fact that most areas especially in third world countries like Nigeria suffer from dearth of services in the afore-mentioned areas.
Another reason that informs the provision of social services by government and other stakeholders is to improve the welfare of the people. In this light, Kayode et al (2013) posited that the need to improve the wellbeing of the citizenry motorized the provision of social services.
They inferred that social service implies those tangible and intangible goods and services provided by the government in order to improve the wellbeing of the citizenry. In similar vein,
Bello-Imam and Roberts (2001) quoted in Agba et al (2013), noted that social service entails the provision of those services intended to alleviate human suffering and by extension, enhance the quality of life of the citizens. Therefore, it is against this backdrop, that it can be said that social services are basically services provided to improve the socio-economic condition of the people by a government or any other social services providers.
Moreover, Nwoba (2015:146) argued that the central focus of social services is alleviating the condition of the poor. They posited that the interface between policy makers, service providers and poor people is focused on better socio-economic condition. According to them, these social services include education services, basic health services, water, sanitation, roads, bridges, among others. It has become axiomatic that there is no exclusion of eligible citizens in social service delivery. Hence, the construction of rural feeder road in a locality does not distinguish the rich and poor from having access to the road. Another example is the construction of libraries for students in a rural area. The rural poor who cannot afford to provide textbooks for their children will inevitably benefit from this venture. In support of this,
Egberiand Madubueze (2014: 98) aver that these services are provided by government to make life meaningful and worth living. 19
Although, there are no hard and fast rules in the classification of social services, however below is a typology of social services as stated by Iteogu (2011:49) which include;
Residual social/welfare services: This often seen as being for the poor. This was the dominant model in English speaking countries; the English poor law of 1598-1948 was exported to many other countries. This has been taken as the model of a residual system in which welfare is a safety net, confined to those who are unable to manage otherwise.
Solidarity welfare services: This type of Welfare in Europe is based on the principle of solidarity, or mutual responsibility. The responsibilities which people have to each other depend on their relationships; people in society are part of solidarity social networks. Many of the right which people have are peculiar, rather than general-they depend on a person’s circumstance, work record or family relationship, not on general rights protected by the state. Those who are not part of such networks are said to be excluded.
Institutional social/welfare services: An institutional system is one in which need is accepted as a normal part of social life. Welfare is provided for the population as a whole, in the same way as public services like roads or schools might be. In Nigeria, several governments since the colonial period have always been in the business of social service provision.
However, the history following the emergence of social service delivery in Nigeria which can be traced before the colonial era is discussed below.
2.1.3 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY IN
NIGERIA
The history of social services is the story of the recognition of needs and the organization of society to meet them (Sainsbury, Cookson and Glendinning, 2013:1). Historically, the provision of social welfare services has been a public sector, or state activity, both in the developed and developing countries (Adejumobi, 1996). According to Adejumobi (1999:88), 20
“the development of state-run services, particularly of roads, canals, irrigation, water supply, education and infrastructure has followed the process of human civilization”. Letwin (1988) in
Adejumobi (1999:88) remarks nonetheless that the origins of state ownership and state-run services are lost in the mist of time. As long as there have been rulers, there have been state- owned lands, building and services. Sosna (1983) submits that, “the principal task facing the developing countries is to build an independent economy, overcome their economic underdevelopment and accelerate the development of productive forces. For several reasons such as the weakness of the local bourgeoisie, insufficient funds, and the difficulty of building a modern economy in the context of the scientific and technological revolution, this has to be done by the state”.
Further buttressing this fact, Adejumobi (1999:88) aver that, “As society develops, with its accompanying complexity and technological growth, the nature and quality of social services delivered by the state also changes. Additionally, he remarks that:
“In African countries the state has been a major actor in the provision of social welfare services. Four reasons account for this. First is the historical antecedent of colonial rule. Under colonial rule, the responsibility for providing social services of roads, railways, education, etc, lay with the colonial regime, although this was done with harsh measures which include forced labour and taxation. The goal of those social services was mainly to facilitate colonial exploitation”.
In pre-colonial Nigerian society for example, the nature of social services delivery evolved to cope with societal needs varied from some ethnic groups to another and were tempered by the existing social structure. Ethnic and religious heterogeneity mediated the social services delivery system differently, as the Islamic and clientele system of Hausa, the much egalitarian system of the Igbos and the much extended family system of the Yorubas varied
(Olowu, 1980). The old region of the East, West and North, as a result of different levels of 21 development traversed different paths to strengthen their system of local administration for effective social services delivery (Okoli, 2004). The missionaries were however, the initial cornerstone of the early social services delivery in Nigeria, especially in relation to healthcare and education of most people in Nigeria outside Lagos (Olowu, 1988).
During the colonial period in Nigeria, The colonial masters concentrated on the welfare of a minor elite population which lived in the towns and cities (Akhakpe, Fatile and Igbokwe-
Ibeto, 2012: 650). Although Britain was not initially prepared to expend her resources in the development of her colonies, she was compelled to embark on the provision of some basic infrastructure without which the colonial exploitative policies of her overseas territories would not have been accomplished. Thus, the British colonial Nigerian government began to construct such semblance of infrastructure as railway, ports, roads, airways, financial institutions (e.g. commercial banks), and utilities such as electricity, waterworks, etc (Ozor, 2004: 120). The social services provided in the railway system was geared only towards the evacuation of the
Nigerian raw materials of groundnut, tin ore, palm oil, coal, cocoa etc. from the interior to the quays for immediate shipment to feed the industries in the metropolitan European countries.
Needless to point out that this rather circumscribed policy of constructing the initial railway lines purely based on economic reasons rather than for social and political harmony, has tended to dampen, even today, the enthusiasm of many Nigerians to patronize the railways as a system of mass transit and mass communication (Ozor, 2004:245). This is one of the reasons for lack of support of citizens to socials services delivery by the government till today.
Social services delivery after the colonial rule in Nigeria was basically dedicated towards revamping the economy from the clutches of underdevelopment. This was carried out from the central government through the first national development plan (1962-1968). However, the little efforts made were destabilized following the Nigerian-Biafran Civil war of 1967-1970, which 22 plunged the country into a critical situation. In the words of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the then military Head of state, his government was dedicated towards “Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation”. Hence, Government efforts towards social service delivery through the social policy of the second national development plan (1970-1975), was geared towards reconstructing and rehabilitating the basic infrastructures that were destroyed during the war, improving the health care system to tend to high mortality rate, enhancing the educational system, and other social welfare assistance to revive diverse social needs and social problems militating against the country’s development. Nwoba (2015:143) submits that:
the guidelines of the third national development plan in Nigeria (1979-1980) indicated five areas of federal government policy in respect to social services, namely health, workers welfare, destitute, sport development and the promotion of cooperatives. The fourth national development plans and concomitant plans which followed failed to steer the country towards development in its social policy on social services delivery.
The complexity and diversity of modern government made it difficult to achieve social services delivery at the grassroots. In support of this assertion, Adejumobi (1996) aver that, In some countries, the responsibility for the provision of social services is handled by government departments, administrative bureaus or a tier of government like the local or the state
Government, while in others, semi-autonomous bodies are created, like the public authorities in the United States, to build and run public works or state-owned enterprises or corporations which have a separate corporate identity. In other situations, there is a combination of these agencies or tiers of governments to carry out the task of social welfare services delivery. Examples of federal-owned enterprises providing welfare and social services in Nigeria includes; Federal
Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Housing
Authority, National Library Board, Housing Management Board, and Scholarship Board among 23 others. The state-owned enterprises providing welfare and social services in Nigeria includes;
Abia State Water Corporation, Abia State Transport Company, Abia State Rural Electrification
Board, etc.
In most of the African Countries the responsibility of providing essential social services and bringing about development to the rural dwellers has been delegated to the local government
Councils (Nwoba, 2015:143). The local government of Nigeria was recognized as the third tier of government in the 1976 local government reform and empowered to oversee the delivery of social services to the people at the local level. Making services accessible to the poor is integral to the effort to achieve the purpose for the creation of local government. Basic government services allow people to be productive members of society, therefore, the provision of fundamentals like infrastructural facilities in water, roads, electricity, housing; agricultural support and irrigations; health, and primary education are essential for accelerating the rate of development at the local governments and the country generally.
In recent decades, National Governments have increasingly shared the responsibility of service provision with the local government, in a variety of inter-governmental public arrangement that aim to increase the accountability and responsiveness of service delivery. In some cases, National Government found it difficult to develop and implement a coherent approach to decentralizing the delivering of public services (Okoli, 2008) in (Nwoba, 2015:145).
Yet, the impact on social services delivery is still to be seen. It cannot be said yet that Nigeria has evolved a definite social policy such as obtained in Britain, Federal Republic of Germany,
Netherlands, and the former Soviet Union for the provision of essential social services. In
Nigeria, it is important to note that these services are not only economically unproductive activities directly but also that their provision has to be financed from the other sectors of the economy consequent upon the several limited resources available to governments and parastatals 24 which provide these services. This is aggravated by constantly widening range of consumers in our cities with their phenomenal population growth and density, competition for financial resources allocation between the directly productive activities and these social services has become stiff (Nwoba, 2014) in (Nwoba 2015:144). Additionally, the situation was worsened by what seems to be a general but erroneous belief in Nigeria that government has the sole responsibility of providing the comfort of all Nigeria. The individual is expected to contribute little or nothing in return. This widespread notion follows the ideas of sharing the national cake
(Nwoba, 2015:144). This is why social services delivery in Abia State is seen as government’s responsibility with minimal support from the indigenes. Most of the developmental projects aimed at improving the welfare of rural dwellers in the state are mainly initiated by the government. This raises the question of the contributions of the local people in social services delivery.
Notwithstanding, the ideological orientations following social services delivery in
Nigeria, the provision of social services to the rural dwellers by the local governments remains the fundamental reason for its creation.
2.1.4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES DELIVERY IN NIGERIA
The existence of local government is a universal political phenomenon. There is hardly any modern state that does not recognize and take into cognizance the need to have in place a system of government at the grass root level. Although, local governments around the world differ in structure, functions and form which is tied to dissimilarities in political history, governmental system, political culture and peculiarities of individual states, however, the underlying assumption for its creation is to bring governance closer to the people (Obi, 2010).
The complexity of modern government has led to the recognition of the local government in order to help bring development to people at the local level, and concomitantly enhance the 25 national development drive. It has become axiomatic that social service delivery is the main tool for achieving government’s intent and eliminating discrimination in development.
The synergy between the local government and social services delivery is gaining currency and stressed. This is particularly so in view of the fact that the basic reason for the creation of the local government is to provide services to the grassroots. This is because the local government is now being recognized as the most important tier of government in the land. The common man in a rural community does not look up to the federal or state government for basic necessities such as good drinking water, accessible rural roads, rural electrification, health facilities and good sewage system among others. Rather, he holds the local government accountable for improving his well-being through effective and efficient delivery of this social service. However, post-independent development in Nigeria, in particular and third world countries, in general have created what scholars have dubbed urban bias (Okorafor et al, 2014:
4). This connotes the situating of roads, hospitals, educational institutions, seaports, airports, among others in urban centers. Also, government agencies, financial institutions, diplomatic missions and industrial activities are located in big towns and cities at the detriment of those who domicile in the rural areas, ironically, a great chunk of Nigerians resides in the rural areas
(Lawal, 2014).
Moreover, local government was created and situated at the grass root to facilitate rural development and governance. And this underscores the philosophy for the creation and existence of local government. It is anchored on the premise that government at the local level is better placed to effectively formulate and implement developmental policies and programmes that can effectively solve local problems and galvanize rural development. Despite the existence of local government in Nigeria, social services delivery, particularly basic infrastructural facilities like 26 good roads, water, rural electrification, health facilities, sewage disposal facilities at the rural level are just a façade or at best a mirage. Though, Odenigwe (1977) in Nzekwe (2011:333) defined local government as:
a government positioned at the grass roots level which provides organizational framework for communities to conduct their affairs effectively and regulate the actions of their members for the general public.
To be sure, the term local government has been variously defined. However, according to
Okoli (2011:704), local government in Nigeria is regarded as the government at the grass roots with the primary function to minister to the needs of local communities and to act as a bridge between the national/state governments and the rural population. Local government is more involved in the provision of social services because for Mbah (2011:728), the local government is more responsive to citizens needs than the federal government and to this end, relieves the state and federal government excessive amount of business, thus decongest the state and central government and therefore, is the seed-bed of social services provision. Yet according to
Adeyemi (2013), local government in Nigeria cannot adequately provide or maintain social services within its domain, he contends that the stench in the rot in governance at the rural level in Nigeria stinks to high heavens and there is a missing link between local government and the provision of social services that has kept Nigerians at the grass root level disconnected from government and therefore underdeveloped.
Furthermore, local government is a creature of the Nigerian constitution and there are 774 local governments in Nigeria. However, despite the existence of local government in Nigeria and the strong premium placed on them as veritable tool to usher in and deepen the provision of social services, social services provision in Nigeria leaves much than desired. Perhaps, this led 27
Ola (1988) to figuratively assert that social services at the local level in Nigeria have refused to bear root downward and have neither produce fruit upward, particularly, since the return to democratic rule in 1999. Unfortunately, over the years in Nigeria, local governments have largely failed in their responsibilities of social services provision. Despite attempts to bring government closer to the people by the increase in the number of local governments in the country, the quest for the adequate provision of social services at the local level is still a mirage.
To be exact, local government in Nigeria instead of been in the fore front of driving the provision of social services at the rural level suffers from bad governance which abhors transparency, accountability, fair play, among others rather encourages inefficiency, corruption, nepotism, clientele and patronage politics. According to Ezeani (2004), the major constraints facing the local government as regards governance is inadequate personnel, corruption, lack of autonomy and inadequate finance and these are not restricted to local government alone but other tiers of government.
Moreover, the shift from the central and state governments to the local government in
Nigeria is because over two thirds of Nigeria’s population resides in local areas, where poverty prevails (Udoh, 2005). According to him, over 100 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity, and less than 40% of the populations have access to safe drinking water. Social services are mostly concentrated in urban areas. Access to services such as; safe water supply, electricity and roads are necessary to reduce vulnerability and poverty in rural areas of Nigeria
(Udoh, 2005). Hence, the local government which is the government at the grassroots is dedicated towards ameliorating the hard conditions in the rural areas through basic the provision of social services in basic infrastructures, education, health services, transportation among others. The recognition and importance of local government in the development process is based on the imperative to tackle local socio-economic problems and to manage grassroots 28 development through provision of these basic services (Wunsch, 2001). However, the state of basic infrastructures provided by the local governments is discussed below.
2.1.5 EVALUATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES
DELIVERY(BASIC INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES) IN NIGERIA
It has become axiomatic that the provision of social services in an effective and efficient manner contributes to the overall development of a country in such areas as job creation, poverty alleviation, empowerment and self-reliance among others. In Nigeria, the government faces an enormous challenge in meeting up with the diverse social needs and problems of her giant population which the 2006 census approximated to be about 140 million people. Hence, they have embarked on social services delivery as one of the means of ensuring strong economic growth and development. Some of this social services delivered by the local government as outlined in the Fourth Schedule of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria includes; construction and maintenance of rural feeder roads, water, street lightings, parks and gardens, public facilities, educational facilities, health facilities, public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal among others.
However, the diversity of social services provided by the government called for the decentralization of responsibilities among various tiers of government and public agencies particularly in the areas of basic infrastructural facilities like water, road, electricity, sewage disposal, education, health, agriculture transportation, etc. which forms the basic needs of man.
Without fear of contradiction, it can be stated that there has been a great dedication in infrastructural development in the country. This is because infrastructure development is at crucial stage in the world today (Lawal, 2014:139). It is a means for countries of the world to ensure and improve the livelihoods of their citizen, and their quality of life. Infrastructure growth and development has ever been an on-going, though with high need of attention especially in 29 developing economies like Nigeria (Ogungbemi, Bubou and Okorhi, 2014:23). Lawal
(2014:139) is of the view that Infrastructure plays a key role in both socio-economic and political development and enrichment of living standards. The common man is more interested in such things as the availability of drinking water, housing units, medical facilities, educational facilities, good road, etc. Such information provides a good criterion for measuring development
(Guideline for Fourth National Development Plan, 1981 -85:23).
It then becomes pertinent to shed light on two specific infrastructures provided by the local government. First of all, the local governments in Nigeria are saddled with the responsibilities of providing WATER which is a primary need without which man cannot survive. Water is critical to human existence but yet a serious problem of human survivals, health and economic development (Lawal, 2014:142). Rural water supply across the country remains deplorable. Various governments - past and present - recognize the rural water supply problem. It is incontrovertible fact that clean water is in short supply in our rural areas. The
Second, Third, Fourth and subsequent National Development Plans continued to make references to the inadequacy of rural water supplies. To be sure, according to the Second National
Development Plan:
“In the rural areas, where inadequacy or absence of good water supply has been found to have a direct bearing on the spread of certain water-borne diseases, the strategy also would be to improve the quality and source of water supplies in these areas in order to reduce the incidence of such diseases(1970-74: 170)”.
Rural dwellers, in most part, obtain their water supplies from a variety of sources, including wells, rain water, streams, rivers, lakes, etc. By and large, the quality of water from these sources proves grossly poor and inadequate (Ikeji, 2013:123). In Nigeria generally and
Abia State in particular, the dearth of good water supply to the rural dwellers is devastating. The 30 local people have been exposed to diverse health burdens despite the various programmes of the local government like the Rural Water Schemes in different communities in the state in ameliorating this issue. The local governments in Nigeria are still a long way in providing safe drinking water to the rural dwellers.
Furthermore, the local governments in Nigeria also have the duty of providing social services such as ROADS in rural areas because these roads form the basis for transportation and communication. Rural roads consist of federal, state and local government roads (major, feeder, tracks, footpaths, bridges and culverts) found in the rural areas. The local governments are saddled with road construction and maintenance largely of a trunk C nature. Rural roads, perhaps, constitute the most critical infrastructure in the rural, and by extension, national development drive. Contributions of rural roads to rural development include: accelerated delivery of farm inputs and evacuation of produce; reduced costs in transportation in terms of human energy, costs of porterage and times loss in trekking long distances; and facilitating more efficient distribution of goods and services between the rural and urban sectors (Ikeji, 2013:122).
The Nigerian roads were described as the lowest in density in Africa, where only 31% of the roads are paved as compared to 50% in the middle income countries, and even where roads are provided, only 40% of these roads can be said to be in good condition (Alabi and Ocholi, 2010) in (Lawal, 2014:142). In Abia State, the state of the rural roads is a source of fear for the rural dwellers. It is no wonder that bad roads have become synonymous with Abia State. According to
Abia Facts Newspaper (2015), Poor road infrastructure has become a national shame and there is hardly any part of the country that can boast of motorable roads, unfortunately, no tier of government can be said to have performed creditably well on matters of roads construction and maintenance. The deplorable condition of the local government’s road calls for the attention of the appropriate authorities. 31
Despite the little successes recorded by the Nigerian local governments in the provisioning of basic infrastructure, “lack of adequate, affordable and reliable infrastructure services still touches the life of rural Nigerian family every day, water supply is neither safe nor adequate for their needs, and local roads are impassable” (Lawal, 2014:140).
The provision of social services or social infrastructure in Nigeria has been the responsibility of government and the private sector. However, both sectors have failed in this responsibility. In addition to grappling with this responsibility, government has had to contend with other problems such as terrorism (Boko Haram), militancy, environmental challenges, ailing oil economy and endemic corruption. All these seem to have diverted the attention of the
Nigerian government from addressing the need for essential social services for her citizens
(Erondu and Oladejo, 2015:196). The poor condition of the rural people reveals that the local government has failed in meeting up with its responsibilities. In support of this, Woko (2015) is of the view that Abia State is undoubtedly one of the states in Nigeria that is in dear need of infrastructural development. This is because of nonperformance from previous administration
(Orji UzorKalu 1999-2007, and Theodore A. Orji 2007-2014). It is common knowledge that the local governments have performed poorly in carrying along the rural people, let alone attend to their needs and aspirations. Evidence abounds about the inability of local governments to meet the demands of social facilities. This may not be unconnected to fusion of local government fund and state government fund leaving the local governments’ appropriation at the discretion of the state government represented by the Governor, and lack of autonomy for local authorities
(Erondu and Oladejo, 2015:197).
Also, corruption, lack of finance, lack of skilled manpower, lack of accountability, mismanagement among others can be attributed to the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the local governments in providing basic social services, for the wellbeing of the rural dwellers. El- 32
Rufai (2012) lamenting on poor service delivery stated that; the primary responsibility of local governments as enshrined in the constitution is rural, urban and community development.
However, rather than working to reduce poverty by providing these services to their people, they end up just paying salaries of primary school teachers, and not much more. The overall performance of Local Government Areas has slipped considerably from about 40 percent in 2005 when the average LG got N60 million monthly from the centre, to less than 10 percent in 2011, when they got an average of N100 million monthly from the Federation Account! It is therefore no surprise that our rural areas are so underdeveloped (Egberi and Madubueze, 2014:101). Yet the provision of social services is the key responsibility of local government which is justified below.
2.1.6 JUSTIFICATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES DELIVERY AT THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT LEVEL IN NIGERIA
First of all, what informs the creation of local government is the provision of social services in the rural areas. It is the primary reason for local government creation. The 1976 local reform led to the creation of the local government as the third tier of government in Nigeria.
Egbe (2014:114) rightly asserts that, this reform was the most revolutionary in the history of local government reforms in Nigeria. The local government was recognized as a veritable agent for social service delivery and development at the grassroots level. In support of this, the Federal
Government Guidelines for Local Government Reform (1976) sees the local government as:
“Government at the local level exercised through representative council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas. These powers should give the council substantial control over local affairs; as well as the staff and institutional and financial powers to initiate and direct the provision of services....”
33
This implies that local governments are to perform the following functions spelled out in the Fourth Schedule of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
(a) the formulation of economic plans and development schemes for the local government
areas;
(b) collection of rates, radio and television licenses;
(c) establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for destitute or
the infirm;
(d) licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel-
barrows and carts;
(e) establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets,
motor-parks and public conveniences;
(f) construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains, parks, gardens,
open spaces or public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of
Assembly of a State;
(g) naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;
(h) provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal;
(i) registration of all births, deaths and marriages;
(j) assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates
as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a state;
(k) control and regulation of: i. movement and keeping of pets of all descriptions, ii. outdoor advertising, iii. shops and kiosks, iv. restaurants, bakeries and other places for sale of goods to the public, 34 v. laundries, and vi. licensing, regulation and control of the sale liquor (FGN ,1979; and FGN ,1999).
Hence, the local government abridges the gap between the grassroots and the government in order to accurately assess the social needs and problems of the people.
Furthermore, the need to improve the standard of living in the rural areas justified the participation of local government in the delivery of social services in Nigeria. Ogbazi (2006) states that one of the programmes of action in rural transformation as contained in the objectives of the National Policy is on adequate supply of infrastructural facilities. Hence, “provision of infrastructural facilities (by the local government) is important in improving the standard of living of the rural dwellers (Toyobo, Muilli and Adetunji, 2014:31). This can be provided for the local people through adequate inter-village communication such as good road network, electricity, pipe-borne water, recreational facilities, etc.
Also the need for empowerment of the local communities through social service provisioning justifies the participation of local government in this task at the local level.
Toyobo, Muilli and Adetunji (2014:30) are of the view that empowerment ‘leads to increased access and control over resources and the acquisition of new skills and confidence so that people are able to initiate action on their own behalf. This encourages self-reliance of individuals in contributing their quota for the overall development of the country through job creation, poverty reduction, industrialization, etc.
The least but not the last justification of local government participation in the provision of social services is for the even development of the country. Nigeria has a giant population. This makes it a herculean task for the federal government to meet the social needs of the whole population in order to eliminate exclusion and alienation in social services delivery. The local government, which is closer to the people, becomes the engine of development for people at the 35 grassroots. Hence, social services delivery at the local level is critical for rural development and concomitantly, national development drive.
Although, it is not the sole responsibility of the local government to provide social services at the rural areas because we have other social services providers as listed below.
2.1.7 AGENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN
NIGERIA
Majorly, the Federal and State Government do have the responsibility of providing social services to the people in an efficient and effective manner. They are also known as the public sector because through public agencies, the federal and state government deliver social services to the local people in the areas such as education, health, agriculture, e.t.c (Nwoba, 2015).
Examples of public agencies that carry out this responsibilities to the rural populace includes;
Abia Water Board, Abia State Housing Corporation Board, Abia State Universal Basic
Education (ASUBEB), Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba (ABSUTH),e.t.c. The
Federal and State government can deliver social services directly to the local communities or in partnership with the local government or other agencies.
Also, the local communities can provide social services for themselves through self-help to satisfy their social needs and social problems. They form Organized Groups (voluntary, mutual aid groups) by peers or associations for mutual assistance in satisfying a common need; overcoming a common handicap or life-disrupting problem and; bringing about desired social and/or personal change. Examples of organized groups include age grades, men associations, women associations, youth groups, christain associations, e.t.c. They also support the efforts of other agencies to enhance sustainability of development in their locality (Lawal, 2014). 36
Furthermore, the privates, which include foreign and local businesses, International and National Banks, and other profit-oriented agencies can provide social services at the local level through their corporate social responsibility to the communities where their businesses are carried out. Also, the private sector provides social services to satisfy the communities’ social needs, and concomitantly gain acceptance, and reputation from the rural people and all tiers of government. It may be exclusive or through Public Private Partnership (PPP). Conclusively, the priority of Public Private Partnership cushions harsh effects of revenue shortfall on infrastructural provisions in Nigeria (Iloh and Bahir, 2013:101).
Again, non-Governmental Organizations do provide social services with a profit or non- profit motive. NGOs function alongside the government as well as profit base enterprises in delivery of social services for the upliftment and well-being of the society, they are therefore referred to as the third sector (Ehigiamusoe, 1998). NGOs could be international, national, regional, or community based depending on its financial resources and networking capability, strength and the idea behind its formation (sets goals) (Omofonmwan and Odia, 2009:248). They provide a variety of services such as child care, nursing home care, scholarships, etc. The profit oriented NGOs charge their clients for services at the current market rate. The government may sometimes purchase services from private agencies.
Lastly, wealthy and influential Individuals can also deliver social services to a local area based on affiliation, kindness, ease of business, reputation and recognition. These are individuals who might be native of the rural areas or not but wants to contribute due to any of the above mentioned reasons to provide needed social services in the community. However, there are several challenges militating against the provision of social services in rural areas in Nigeria which are discussed below. 37
2.1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SOCIAL SERVICES
DELIVERY
The provision of social services by local government in Nigeria is not without some severe limitations. Though these challenges are restricted to local government only because it is a common denominator in all tiers of government in Nigeria, however, that of the local government requires serious attention given the position it occupies. First among the challenges faced by the local government in the provision of social services is political problem which ranges from political corruption, poor leadership, political instability, godfatherism, politicization of social service delivery among others. Corruption is a hydra headed monster which has eaten deep into every aspect of the Nigerian polity and the local government, is not left out in this menace. Corruptions, bad leadership, among others have destroyed the reason for the creation of local government which is basically social services delivery and has rather enforced scarcity of social services. In Abia State local governments for example, the state of social services delivered in the state is deplorable. Most times, there is hardly a local government election but an imposition of Transition Committee Chairmen on the people, and who are controlled whimsically and capriciously by the Governor. Rather than assessing the social needs and problems of the people, social service delivery is politicized by governing elites as a tool for satisfying their prebendalistic nature and further impoverishment of the rural dwellers. This issue has become a limiting factor for the efficiency and effectiveness of social service delivery.
More so, inadequate financing has always been the problem of local government in the provision of social service. The provision of social services is not a haphazard affair. It requires adequate financing to ensure that the social needs of the rural people are satisfied. Matthew
(2008) submits that a major problem limiting the local government in social service delivery is the lack of funds to initiate and implement programmes that would meet the need and aspirations 38 of the rural communities in terms of the provision of social and infrastructural facilities. An example is the rural electrification extension project launched in April 2000 between
Nkwoegwuto Okaluga Alaike leading to Ofeme, in Abia State. The project had been abandoned for years due to poor revenue generation base. Ibok (2014:540) pointed out that:
“Aside from the fact that statutory allocations and grants from the federal and state governments to councils are inadequate, the problem is exacerbated by the low revenue generation capacity of the council…it has become so bad that many local councils cannot pay staff salaries not to talk about basic need provisions’’.
To be sure, Abia State local government are complacent towards generating revenue internally and depends mainly on federal and state government allocations. But still, these allocations which are insufficient for carrying out their functions are being mismanaged and embezzled away leaving them with little or nothing. It is no wonder that there exists a low standard of living for the local people, who have been denied the trickling down effect of good governance.
Also, lack of community participation in the process of social service provision has limited the effectiveness of social service delivery by the local government. Hill (1974) warns that an efficient service delivery must involve the people. Abia State local government alone cannot perform its basic function of social services delivery without the involvement of the beneficiaries. Efficiency is a relative term meaning that what the local government considers efficient may be in contrast to the rural communities. An example is the relocation of Umuahia market to a new site. There have been criticisms by the people on government’s action, which rather than make life better has led to their further impoverishment. Additionally, rural communities see social service delivery as the responsibility of government (Bello-Imam and 39
Roberts, 2001). That is why they make no contributions to the cost of running their local government. Hence, they make little or no efforts in supporting the local government in ensuring sustainability of social services like roads, water supply, housing, etc. The lack of support and participation of the beneficiaries of social services is detrimental to effective and efficient social services delivery by the local government (Adeyemi, 2013).
Another limitation is Excessive interference by the federal and state government. The granting of relative autonomy to the local government in the 1976 reform encouraged local government’s quick response to the needs and aspirations of the grassroots. However, there is still excessive meddlesomeness by the Federal and State governments in local affairs (Okoli,
2013). These local affairs include finance, personnel, election, and functions among others.
There have been instances where state governors unconstitutionally dissolve the entire elected council’s officers without proper recourse and due process (Eboh and Diejomaoh, 2010:21). An example of this impunity is the abrupt sack of the Transition Committee Chairmen of the 17
Local Government councils of Abia State by the former Governor, Theodore Orji on Monday,
March 5, 2012 over the humiliation he suffered at the lying in state of the late Biafra warlord,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Aba on Feb. 28 (Premium Times, 2012). The sacked
Transition Committee Chairmen of the 17 Local Government councils had only been sworn in on
December, 2011. The various developmental projects and programmes which they have initiated and are under construction became abandoned. It is incontrovertible fact that political representatives (elected or appointed) rarely complete any project started by their predecessors. It is no wonder that the grassroots becomes the victims of the circumstance instituted by lack of local government autonomy. The deplorable condition of social services delivery by the local 40 governments in Abia State is as a result of lack of freedom in making decisions regarding its finance, recruitment process, election, and mode of operation.
Finally, the inadequacy of skilled workers limits the local government in performing its functions. As stated above, corruption, godfatherism, inadequate financing and excessive interference of the federal and state government among others like lack of accountability and transparency, favoritism, etc are the reasons for lack of skilled workers in Abia State local governments. An example is the constitutional provision that entrusted the recruitment of local government personnel to the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) which is under the control of the state. Also in the recruitment of local government workers in Abia State, due processes and qualifications are bypassed and hence, meritocracy is sacrificed at the altar of mediocrity. The result of these half-baked staff, who have little or no contributions to make towards developmental programmes and projects is devastating to social services delivery in the state.
2.1.9 GAP IN THE LITERATURE
From the discourse above, local government and social service delivery are not recent concepts in public administration and local government studies. Scholars in the field of public administration and local government studies identified many challenges facing local governments in the provision of efficient and effective social service delivery. They identified factors such as lack of funds/ financial constraints, corruption, undue political interference/lack of autonomy, lack of qualified professional staff/ unskilled workers, leadership problem, poor work attitude, among others, yet not much systematic attention has been paid in investigating local government and social service delivery in Abia State from 2007-2014 and it is this gap this 41 study intends to fill. The study seeks to understand the nexus between local government and social service delivery in Abia State.
2.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
There is hardly any valid research that has no theoretical construct. Meanwhile, the essence of theorizing is to explain in order to reach generalization, predict and control (Obasi,
1999). It is on this note that the study adopted the Efficiency Service theory. The theory was propounded by William Machenzie (1954) amongst numerous other leading advocates like
James Sharpe (1970), David Bulfer (1985), among others. According to Machenzie (1954) the leading advocate of the efficiency service school, quoted in Adeyemo (2010) notes that service delivery to the local people is expected to pre-occupy the resources, power and time of the local government.
In a similar vein, Kafle and Karkee (2003) posited that the core assumptions of the efficient-service delivery school are that local government exists to help to ensure efficient- service delivery. Scholars find this need so important that they argue that it should override other functions of the local government and contend that the need or the function of encouraging democratic participation is not as crucial as the need for efficient-service delivery. For this, the proponents of the efficient service school argue that all is well even if there is less democratic participation in the governance process as long as the local or grassroots people get efficient services from the local government. Sharpe (1970:168) in this respect notes thus; whereas the value of local government as a bulwark of liberty or at least as a handmaiden of democracy has been recognized, its role as an agency for providing services has evoked no comparable enthusiasm. Generally, the central argument by the efficient service school is that local 42 government, because of its closeness to an area, can provide certain service far more efficiently than the state or central government.
According to Chukwuemeka et al. (2014:311), “The central point of the efficiency- service model is that the primary purpose of the local government system is to provide social services such as law and order, local roads, primary education, sanitation and others efficiently”.
Machenzie (1954) in Chukwuemeka et al. (2014:312) avers that service delivery to the local people is expected to pre-occupy the resources, power and time of the local government.
However, the basic tenets of this theory are:
• Local government is an efficient agent for providing services that are local in character
(Mackenzie, 1954)
• Local governments exist to provide services and it must be judged by its success in
providing services up to a standard measured by a national inspectorate (Mackenzie in
Ezeani, 2012:16)
• In view of its proximity to the grassroots, local government can provide some services
more efficiently than the federal or state governments (Ibeitan and Ndukwe, 2014:757)
• The efficient performance of these services makes the existence of local government very
compelling (Sharpe, 1970:168).
Further buttressing this fact, Odalonu (2015:15) is of the view that national or regional government will not be able to provide all the essential social services needed at the grassroots, thus it is the function of local government to effectively and efficiently provide social services at the local level. Sharpe (1970) aver that the efficient performance of those services is so compelling that if local government did not exist, something else would have to be created in its place. Hence, this school believes that local government is a veritable instrument for efficient services delivery at the grassroots. On this note, Chukwuemeka et al. (2014:313) posits that: 43
“…In Nigeria, for instance, there have been various local government reforms to strengthen the capacity of the local governments to deliver services effectively and efficiently to the local and grassroots people. This is why the local governments usually take the blame where local roads are bad, where there are no market stalls, no functional motor park, no health centres, no portable water, no drugs in local dispensaries and where refuse is littered around the places”.
Generally, the argument by the efficient service school is that local government, because of its closeness to an area, can provide certain service far more efficiently than the state or central government. Actually, local government, in some instances, serves a better channel through which policies and programs from the central or state government are implemented.
Usually, some functions that are cumbersome for the state or central government to perform are better and more conveniently performed by the local government. Such functions may include construction and maintenance of local roads, provision of rural water scheme, collection of rates, radio and television licenses, registration of births, deaths and marriages etc.
Application of the Theory to the Study
The nexus between local government and service delivery in Abia State from 2007-2014 is better explained in the light of the efficiency service theory. This framework unravels the hidden relation that influences the internal workings and purpose of local government and how it affects the process of social service provision in Abia State. However, the importance of this approach in interrogating local government and social service delivery in Abia State lies in the following;
First, this theory enables us to go beyond analyses whose account are limited to the features, origin, types and potentials of local government and its implications on social service delivery . The theory mirrors vividly the actual purpose of local government which is the 44 provision of social service in Abia State. Nature and character of local government is a manifestation of its efficiency in social services delivery. The theory interrogates the nexus between local governments as regards it capacity to effectively and efficiently achieve its major objective of social service delivery. This theory is relevant to the study because rural development and concomitantly national development of the society in particular, and the country in general is dependent upon the effective and efficient delivery of social services at the local level by the local governments. The economic prosperity and functioning of Abia State and the nation depends on the social services provided in an effective and efficient manner.
Secondly, the Efficiency Services Theory is relevant to the study of the evaluation of social service delivery by the local governments in Abia State because it sees the local governments as the main engine for the development of any society or community both in the developed and less developed countries like Nigeria. The development of any community is dependent upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the social services available in such community. Efficient and effective social services are evident through the availability of good drinking water, quality roads, stable power supply, quality education, quality health services, etc which is the focal point in Efficiency Services Theory. The efficiency and effectiveness of the local governments in social services delivery which is the central theme of the Efficiency services theory brings about the transformation of rural dwellers by empowering them to become self-sufficient, creates job, reduce poverty and rural-urban migration. These transformed local people in turn transform the society into a place to live and make a living. When we have quality social services, we are bound to have rapid development in all aspects of the society. All the good things of life such as health care facilities, safety and security, electricity, drinkable water, industries etc are made available to mankind by the local governments who are the best agents for providing these services. 45
Abia State local government areas are described as developed or less developed based on the efficiency and effectiveness of their social services. The contributions of Abia State local government to development is heavily dependent upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the social services delivered as emphasized by the theory. The local government who are seen by many scholars as the engine of growth and development cannot make meaningful contribution to development if their potentials are not developed through adequate financing, autonomy, good leadership, accountability and transparency.
Unfortunately, Nigerian local governments are disadvantaged in providing effective and efficient social services especially in Abia State where the ‘Japan of Nigeria’ is located and where the rural dwellers cry out on lack of access to good drinking water, poor rural feeder roads, lack of sewage disposal system, lack of health facilities among others. Social service delivery is more evident in the urban areas than in the rural areas.
When the local governments who constitute the main agents of social service delivery in
Abia State are adequately financed, trained and given all round empowerment, they will be better positioned to make meaningful contribution to the development of Nigerian society. This conclusion is arrived at due to the impact few Nigerian local governments have made in development at the various levels of Nigerian society. The local governments have been playing important roles in rural and community development even in the developed countries like the
United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and developing countries like India,
Ghana, and South Africa where the local governments are engines of development. Yet Abia
State local governments are still far removed from such enviable impact in rural development.
This is so much blamed on lack of adequate financing, poor leadership, lack of autonomy and corruption among others by the local governments. 46
Thirdly, this theory x-rays the interface between the local government, infrastructural development and level of wellbeing. In this light, this theory examines the relationship between local government, infrastructural development and the wellbeing of the people in Abia State because efficiency and effectiveness in social service delivery shapes the level of infrastructural development and wellbeing of the masses in local governments in Abia State. The Efficiency
Services Theory likens the local governments in Abia State as a channel for ensuring the welfare of the rural people, alleviating their sufferings in order to enhance their well-being and socio- economic condition, and empowering them to contribute to the country’s development drive.
Lastly, this theory studies the elected and appointed political leaders contributions and rural communities/ local government relationship, and how the political representatives and rural communities aid Abia State local government areas in the provision of social service. Here, the theory x-rays the effective capacity of the political representatives and local communities to complement local governments in Abia State in the process of making social services available and affordable. This is because an efficient system of service delivery must involve the people.
Where there is lack of involvement of the people in social services delivery, then that social services provided may not be seen as efficient. This is because ‘efficiency’ is a relative term which can be adjudged in different ways. The effective capacity of the local government can also be in structure, personnel, political leaders, technology, community participation and support.
Though the state of social services cannot be said to be outstanding, the local government in Abia still remains the best agent for responding to the social needs and problems of the people by providing social services efficiently and effectively in other to enhance the local people’s well-being and socio-economic conditions. However, the efficiency service theory represents the ideal but not the real situation in Abia State local government as they have not robustly proved that they are efficient agent for providing services that are local in character. 47
2.3HYPOTHESES
The hypotheses formulated for the study are stated thus:
1. The elected and appointed Local Government Chairmen provided water and roads in Abia State
Local Governments.
2. Federal and State public agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Local
Communities and Philanthropists complemented the efforts of Abia State Local Governments
towards social service delivery.
3. Lack of autonomy, inadequate financing, lack of political will and commitment, lack of qualified
personnel and corruption hindered the effective and efficient delivery of social services by Abia
State Local Governments.
2.4 OPERATIONALIZATION OF KEY CONCEPTS
Elected/Appointed Local Government Officials: Persons or group of persons who got into local government offices through election or selection and who, manage and run the local government. They are the political representatives of the people in the local government, who have been elected or selected to ensure that the peoples wills and aspirations are met.
Political Will and Commitment: This is the power, zeal and dedication in performing or carrying out functions and other duties emanating from occupying a particular political position.
An elected local government chairman has political will and commitment when he uses his political power to bring development to his local communities through various developmental projects.
Complement- This is the act of providing encouragement, support or assistance to something in other to improve on it.
Bodies: Organized group of people sharing a common function, purpose or goal. 48
Limitations of Local Government: They are the hindrances or challenges encountered by the local government which makes it difficult or impossible in performing its functions. In Nigeria, local government do suffer various limitations such as bad leadership, lack of funds/ financial constraints, corruption, undue political interference/lack of autonomy, lack of qualified professional staff/ unskilled workers, leadership problem, poor work attitude, among other .
2.5 METHODOLOGY
The study adopted descriptive survey research design with a view to eliciting information from respondents. Descriptive survey is considered appropriate because it will be used to find out the state of social service delivered at the Local Government level in Abia State from 2007-
2014.
Questionnaire was used as a major source of data collection for this study. The questionnaire is structured and designed using a 5 point Likert scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree and undecided method. It is made up of three (3) sections. Section one introduces the researcher, topic of research and its purpose to the target respondents. Section two is designed to elicit bio-data of the respondents such as gender, age, employment category etc while section three dwells so much on substantive issues of the work.
The questionnaires were distributed to the target population comprising of 300 respondents using the simple random sampling technique. Other instruments used are personal observation and interview which were employed where necessary to authenticate and ensure accuracy of data gotten through questionnaire.
2.5.1 SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data used for this study have two main sources: primary source and secondary source.
For the primary source, questionnaires were used extensively to get the required data. Interviews 49 and personal observation were also used on few occasions in order to authenticate the data gotten through questionnaire and where they are the most appropriate instruments.
The secondary sources come from the review of existing literature. Much of text books, journals, public documents, academic research project and the internet articles and publications were used to gather relevant data needed for the study.
2.5.2 RELIABILITY OF INSTRUMENT
To establish the reliability of the instrument used, a test retest method was used. Here a test was conducted in three local government area (Bende, Umuahia North and Aba North) on ten (10) adult residents, who are heads of household in the said local governments and at two different periods. Its results were recorded and kept at the first time. Then at the second time after one week interval, the same test was conducted again on the same sample with the view of discovering how consistent each element of the group is in the scoring of the instrument at those different times. These were retrieved, presented and analyzed. The results of the two were compared. Where the results are found to be similar, the researcher was convinced that the instrument is reliable.
2.5.3 VALIDITY OF INSTRUMENT
To determine the validity of the instrument used, the researcher employed face and content method. 3 copies of the questionnaire will be given to three experts for validation. One measurement and evaluation expert from the Department of Science Education and two experts from the Department of Public Administration and Local Government Studies. These experts would be supplied with information about the study such as purpose of the study, research question and hypotheses to be tested. These experts are to review items in the questionnaire in terms of clarity, relevance, appropriateness of language and expressions to the respondents and make necessary correction which will be duly effected. 50
2.5.4 POPULATION OF THE STUDY
The total population of Abia State is 2,833,999 (NPC, 2006). However, three Local
Government Areas were randomly selected from each of the three Senatorial districts in the
State to represent the target respondents. The selection of the Local Government Areas was to ensure spread and equal representation of the respondents across the State. The total population of the three Local Government Areas selected was 403, 278 comprising of 79, 618 (from Bende
Local Government Area), 220, 660 (from Umuahia North Local Government Area) and 103,
000 (from Aba North Local government Area) respectively (NPC, 2006).
2.5.5 SAMPLE OF THE STUDY
A sample is a small group of elements or subjects drawn through a definite procedure from a specified population (Aloysius, 2011). Samples are meant to represent population when the entire population cannot be studied. The sample size for the study consists of 300 adults residents, who are heads of households in the selected Local Government Areas of the three
Senatorial Districts that make up the state during the period under study (2007-2014).These categories of persons were sampled because of their long-time experience and knowledge of their political leaders, services provided, organizations providing local governments with basic services, challenges facing the local government and the current condition of social services provided in their locality among others. Also, their responses could provide valuable information for the study and they are in a better position to make reliable responses.
In determining the size of the sample in this study, purposive sampling method was employed. The purposive sampling technique, also called judgment sampling, is the deliberate choice of an informant due to the qualities the informant possesses (Bernard, 2002). This sampling technique concerns the subjective selection of the sampling units which appears to represent the population. It is best suited measurement where the interest in the perspectives 51 and experience of particular groups or individuals are needed. In this regard, the researcher randomly choose a sample size of 100 adult residents in each of the three local governments to generate their views on social services delivered in their respective local governments from
2007-2014. Based on the above method, the sample size for the study is 300 respondents comprising 100 respondents in each of the selected Local Governments used for the study.
Thus, 300 questionnaires were printed and distributed to the target population.
2.5.6 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
Simple percentage is adopted as a method for analyzing data for the study. This method was used because the researcher believes it has minimum error in data analyses. The method is easily understood by both average and above average persons and also enhances comparison of data.
52
CHAPTER THREE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE AREA OF STUDY
3.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF ABIA STATE
The background of this study is Abia State of Nigeria. Abia State is one of the 36 states of the federal republic of Nigeria. Abia State was created on the 27th of August, 1991 as a result of the split out of the old Imo State. It is one of five states in the south east geopolitical zone of
Nigeria. The name ABIA was coined from the first letters of the names of the geopolitical groups that made up the state namely; Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo. Afikpo later joined Ebonyi
State when the latter was created in October 1996. Abia State has a population of 2.8 million people and is divided roughly equally between females and males which translate to 1.39 million and 1.43 million respectively (National Population Commission, 2006).
Abia State is located in the heart of the tropical rain forest and the temperature ranges between 200C and 360C. It is characterized by the dry dust-laden northeasterly winds which blow across the country during the dry season (mid October to March). The rainy period is from April to October, during which period the moisture –laden Southwesterly winds blow, bringing with it the rains and it lies between longitude 040 45 and 060 17’N of the Greenwich meridian line , and latitude 070 00’ and 08010’ E of the Equator. Abia State has a total land area of 5,833.77 square
Kilometers (History of Abia State, 2016).
The state is about 596 Kilometers from Lagos and about 498 kilometers from Abuja. The state is located east of Imo State and shares common boundaries with Anambra, Enugu, and
Ebonyi State to the North West, North and North East respectively. To the East and South East, it is bounded by cross River and Akwa-Ibom State and by Rivers States to the South. Politically, the state is divided into seventeen (17) local government areas namely: Aba North, Aba South,
Arochukwu, Bende, lkwuano, IsialaNgwa North, IsialaNgwa South, lsuikwuato, Obingwa, 53
Ohafia, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa West, Ukwa East, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and
Umunneochi. The major Urban local three (3) are namely; Aba North, Aba South and Umuahia
North Local Government while the other local government areas are mostly rural. Also the state has three senatorial districts which are Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South (History of
Abia State, 2016).
3.2 THE PEOPLES CULTURE
Abia State is inhabited mostly by the Igbo ethnic group who are predominantly
Christians. Abians are very industrious, creative, hospitable and peaceful. This is evidenced by the presence of different tribes such as the Yorubas, the Hausas and others from different parts of the country. The indigenous language of Abia people is Igbo while the official language is
English. The people have traditional norms, customs and practices that have endured over time through which conflicts are controlled and resolved. The new yam festival is the most popular.
The Mboko, Ekpe and Okonko, are exclusively for men. The age grade system is practiced in the central and Northern Zone of the state and it is a vehicle for community development (History of
Abia State, 2016).
3.3 ECONOMY
The main occupations in Abia are farming, trading, and civil service. The famous Ariaria
International market, which is one of the largest markets in West Africa is in the state. Other forms of occupation exist though they are in the minority. There are crafts for which some parts are popular for example Akwette is known for the Akwette cloth and weaving, Uturufor mat- making. The State is endowed with natural resources and there are vast amounts of arable land and a good number of streams. With its adequate seasonal rainfall, Abia has much arable land that produces both cash and food crops. They include; palm oil, yams, maize, potatoes, cassava and rice among many other crops. Up to 70 per cent of the population is involved in agriculture 54 which contributes 27% of the GDP. Crude oil and gas are the other major contributors to the
GDP of the state with 39% of the GDP (Abia State Ministry of Health, 2010:7).There are however potentials for high industrial growth.
3.4 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND NATURE OF MANAGEMENT IN
ABIA STATE (2007-2014)
Abia State local government council is made up of three arms; the executive, the legislative and the administrative arm. The executive arm executes laws made by the legislative arm and the administrative arm implements. Abia State local government council is also made up of two sets of staff; the executive and the carrier officers.
The Executive Council: The executive council of the local government which is also the
Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC) stipulated in the local government Law 5 of
1999 is made up of the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, all Supervisors, the Head of Service and the Treasurer; They meet regularly to provide general financial guide and directions for the council as it is the highest decision making body of the local government. The functions of the members of the executive council are briefly explained below;
The Chairman-At the apex of the organization is the chairman. The chairman is the organizational head and the chief accounting officer of the local government. He/she is the chief executive and the controller of both men and materials including finances in the local government. He/she is either elected or appointed to preside over the affairs of the local government council and the local government area. If elected, he/she is called an Executive chairman and has tenure of two (2) years. If appointed, he/she is referred to as a Transition
Committee Chairman or caretaker chairman and has one (1) year tenure. 55
The Deputy Chairman- Below the Chairman is the deputy chairman who assists and co- ordinate the activities delegated to him from time to time. He also performs the functions of the chairman in his absence.
The Secretary- The Secretary is the chief administrative officer of the local government with responsibility for coordinating the work of all departments and advising the management committee on all administrative matters. He is also a signatory to the council’s accounts and ensures the institution of a viable personnel policy.
Supervisory Councilors- The supervisory councilors are appointed by the chairman to be members of the cabinet (Executive Council) and to head various departments; finance, agriculture, health, personnel management and works respectively. Both the chairman and the supervisors are the policy maker as far as the council is concerned.
The Carrier Officials- The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) is the employer of all carrier officers/civil servants under the local government system.
The Secretary Director of Personnel- At the apex of the carrier officers is the secretary director of personnel who is in charge of day to day administration.
The Deputy Secretary- Below him is a deputy secretary who co-ordinate the activities of both senior and the junior staff including other functions in his schedule.
The Internal Auditor- He/she occupies a central position midway between the carrier officers and the executive chairman. He is the alarm clock of the council especially when he envisages that anything goes wrong with the expenditure of government fund. He may raise an audit alarm.
Heads of Department (H.O.D)- HOD are the line carrier staff known as heads of department.
Each H.O.D occupies specific department such as agriculture, health, finance among others.
Each H.O.D maintains discipline within his area, check the attendant and roll call and distribute functions amongst the rank and file senior and junior staff under him. 56
3.5 THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ABIA STATE
(2007-2014)
The management of the local government in Abia State is carried out through various departments with different but interdependent functions in the local government. The local government is presently made up of eight (8) departments each headed by a Head of Department who oversees the activities of their departments respectively and reports back to the Head of
Administration (HOA). The departments include:-
1. Administration (Personnel Management)- This department is charged with the day to day
management of the local government and its employees. It is headed by the senior
personnel officer called Head of Personnel Management (HPM) who is directly
responsible to the secretary for personnel management. The HPM coordinates the
activities of all departments in the council and renders report on those activities to the
secretary of the local government.
2. Finance and Accounts- It handles the fiscal aspects of the local government and channels
money to the appropriate channels in other to meet their objectives, realization of revenue
targets and prudent management of expenditure. It is headed by the Treasurer who is the
council’s Chief Accounts Officer ensuring strict adherence to guidelines of the financial
memoranda, budget control, supervising departmental accounts, preparation of financial
statements and advising the council on miscellaneous finance related matters.
3. Work and Housing- It handles construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of local
governments’ infrastructural projects. It has a clear–cut responsibility to maintain
existing roads, construct new ones as well as keep bridges functional. Also, public 57
buildings owned by the council are managed by the department as well as provision of
office and residential accommodation as and when due.
4. Health- This department is primarily responsible for coordinated implementation of
health care policies of the federal, state and local governments to enhance the quality of
life of the local populace. It also handles health care services provided by the local
government and makes appropriate decisions concerning the people’s health needs.
5. Social and Youth Development- It is charged with the responsibility of empowering the
youths to become self-reliant. It also performs the function of creating patriotic, friendly
and peaceful atmosphere through sports to remove restiveness and encourage people to
maximize their potentials.
6. Environmental Health- It is charged with the responsibility of ensuring an environment
free from hazardous effect and good health of the people through environmental
sanitation, refuse disposal, among others.
7. Agricultural and Natural Resources- It is in charge of the development of agriculture and
natural resources other than the exploitation of mineral, agricultural extension, animal
health extension services, and veterinary clinics.
8. Budget Planning, Research and Statistics- It handles the financial plan and various fact-
finding projects aimed at finding solutions to the constraints; financial or otherwise
hindering the local government in maximizing its effective capacity.
3.6 THE AREAS OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY ABIA STATE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
The local governments in Abia State are obliged to provide social services in many areas.
The 1979/1999 constitutional roles of the federal republic of Nigeria in the Fourth Schedule, Part 58
1 and Abia State Local Government Law No. 5 of 1999 empowered them to provide social services in the following areas;
ü Education; The provision and maintenance of nursery and primary, adult and vocational
education, provision of scholarship and bursaries, provision of public libraries and
reading rooms
ü Health; Health centers, maternity centers, dispensaries and health clinics, ambulance
services, leprosy clinics and preventive health services
ü Infrastructure; Provision of public utilities except where restricted by other legislation,
specifically including provision of roads, water, streets, street lightings, markets, bridges,
culverts, drainage, public housing programs, regulation and control of buildings;
ü Agriculture; The development of Agriculture and natural resources other than the
exploitation of mineral, agricultural extension, animal health extension services, and
veterinary clinics
ü Transport; Inland water transport, local transit buses, motor-parks
ü Environmental Sanitation; Control or keeping of animals; Control of hoardings,
advertisements, use of loudspeakers in or near public places, drumming, sanitary
inspection, refuse and night-soil disposal, control of vermin; slaughter house and
slaughter slabs, control of water and atmospheric pollution, control of beggars, of
prostitution, and repatriation of destitute.
ü Entertainment; Provision of community and local recreation centers, parks, gardens and
public open places.
ü Social Welfare; Provision of homes for destitute, orphanages, old people’s home,
correctional centre. 59
Table 1.1: Political History of Bende, Umuahia North and Aba North Local Government Council from 2007-2014
S/N LOCAL PERIOD CHAIRMAN TYPE DURATION REASON FOR GOVERNMENT OF REMOVAL GOVT.
BENDE 2006-07 HIGH CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 1. JOHNNY UKPABI
2008-10 HON CHIEF EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF TENURE 2. EMENIKE OKOROAFOR 2010-11 CHIEF UKWU TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 3. EMMA ROCKS
2011-12 HON CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 4. IKERIONWU OKARIMIA 2012-13 HON CHIEF S.U TCC 6 MONTHS NO OFFICIAL REASON 5. ONYEBINANMA
2013-14 CHIEF UKWU TCC I YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 6. EMMA ROCKS
7. UMUAHIA 2006-07 CHIEF DICKSON TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE NORTH NWOSU 8. 2007-09 LATE CHIEF EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF TENURE UKEGBU PRINCEWILL 9. 2009-10 CHIEF ONUIGBO TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE JOHNSON 10. 2010-11 SIR FRANK IBE TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 11. 2013-14 CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE CHUKWUDI NDUMELE 12. 2014-15 DEACON IYKE TCC LESS THAN ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO NWOKE 1YEAR RIG THE 2015 ELECTION
13. ABA NORTH 2007-08 BARR. HAGLER TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE OKORIE 14. 2008-10 HON. IFEANYI EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF TENURE IKWECHEGHI 15. 2010-11 SIR BEN WOGU ACTING FEW APPOINTMENT OF TCC TCC MONTHS 16. 2011 HON DAVID TCC LESS THAN NO OFFICIAL REASON CHIGBU A YEAR 17. 2011-12 CHIEF HON TCC 2 YEARS OVERSTAYED THE EZENWA TENURE OF TCC NGWAKWE 18. 2012-13 HON GOODLUCK TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE A. AMAEFULA 19. 2013 HON APOLLOS TCC LESS THAN SUSPENDED ALOZIE A YEAR 20. 2013 AMBASSADOR ACTING LESS THAN APPOINTMENT OF TCC 60
JONATHAN TCC A YEAR IKOROHA 21. 2013-14 HON. BARR. TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE CHIZURU KELECHI KANU 22. 2014-15 PRINCE DAN TCC 1 YEAR ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO KALU RIG THE 2015 ELECTION (EC is Executive Chairman and TCC is Transition Committee Chairman) Source: Field work, 2016.
During the period (2007-2014), Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, who administered the state from
1999 to 2007 was succeeded by Theodore Ahamaefule Orji (2007-2014) as the Governor. Chris
Akomas became his deputy but was impeached on August 2, 2010. Eric Acho Nwakanma was
sworn in on August 17, 2010 and he became the deputy governor from 2010-2011. He was
succeeded by Emeka Ananaba from 2011-2014. The incumbent Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and
his deputy, Ude Okochukwu is from 2015 till present.
From 2007-2014, there was more appointment than election of local government
Chairmen in the 17 local governments that made up Abia State. The Transition Committee
Chairmen and their deputies, appointed by the Governor usually have a one year tenure which is
subject to constant change at the whims and caprices of the state Governor. The tenure of the
above local government chairmen in the three local governments; Bende, Umuahia North and
Aba North from 2007-2014 have made little impact in social service delivery in their localities.
All the local government chairmen in Bende from 2007-2014 have paid little attention to
all areas of social services and particularly in road construction and maintenance and water
provision. With the exception of Hon. Emenike Okoroafor (2008-2010) who engaged in water
projects by drilling borehole in the local government council and other wards in the locality,
succeeding chairmen have failed to maintain these water infrastructures and hence, have stopped
functioning. 61
In Umuahia North, the local government chairmen from 2007-2014 have made little contributions towards social services delivery. The tenure of late Chief Ukegbu Princewill had a good track of record in the history of the local government. The greatest achievement of his administration is the construction of Umuahia North Local government council. Other chairmen have made little contributions in road construction and water provision. They mainly grade local roads and abandon them. Most local roads constructed are done by the state government because of the administrations affiliation to the local government.
In Aba North, the local government chairmen from 2007-2014 have contributed to social service delivery particularly in health care, education, water supply and entertainment. But little attention has been paid to the construction and rehabilitation of the local roads.
The condition of social services in the above areas, particularly the delivery of infrastructure in Abia State between the periods (2007-2014) is much more than meets the eye.
Most of them are abandoned or uncompleted. The state is littered with projects that are yet to be completed. Most of the politicians in the state during the course of electioneering campaign promise what they cannot give in order to win the election. Instead of emphasizing on the delivery of social services, they, from the very beginning promise execution of tangible projects to exploit constituents’ needs in the face of abject poverty and government irresponsibility. The above sum up the historical background of social service delivery in Abia State local government
(2007-2014). 62
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter examines closely the responses of the respondents especially to those
questions that relate directly to the objectives of the research. This will enable the researcher to
test the hypotheses formulated with a view to either accepting or rejecting them. A total of 300
questionnaires were distributed to a sample size of 300 respondents chosen for the study. The
researcher was able to collect only 287 copies of the distributed questionnaires and this was used
for the data analyses.
The data was presented in a tabular form and analyzed using simple percentage with the formulae: N X 100 T 1 Where,
N = the number of respondents
T = the total number of respondents.
4.2 DATA PRRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Table 4.1: Questionnaires Distributed S/N Questionnaire Frequency Percentage
1 Returned 287 95.7
2 Not returned 13 4.3
Total 300 100
Source: Field work, 2016. 63
The data in the table above reveal that out of 300 questionnaires distributed, 287 representing
95.7 percent of the questionnaires were returned while 13 representing about 4.3 percent of the
questionnaires were not returned.
4.1.1 Analysis and findings of Personal Data
Table 4.1.1: Sex Respondents Questionnaire Frequency Percentage
Male 121 42.2
Female 166 57.8
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.1 classifies respondents by sex. It shows that the questionnaires were filled by 121
male (42.2%) and 166 female (57.8%). The implication of this to the study is that there were
more female than male respondents who provided information on the state of social services
delivered in the state. This implies that females were more responsive and concerned on the state
of social service delivered in their localities.
Table 4.1.2: Employment Category of Respondents Employment category Frequency Percentage
Civil/public servant 53 18.5
Private sector employee 45 15.7
Self-employed 82 28.6
Students 38 13.2 64
Retired 21 7.3
Unemployed 48 16.7
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.2 classifies the respondents by occupation. 53 (18.5%) of the respondents are
civil/public servants, 45(15.7%) are private sector employee, 82 (28.6%) are self-employed,
students represent 38 (13.2%) of the respondents while the retired and unemployed represents 21
(7.3%) and 48 (16.7%) respondents respectively.
The implication of employment category to the study is that it reveals the impact of social
service delivery and its contributions to development in such areas as job creation, citizen
empowerment, self-actualization and happiness among others. The above table reveals that
following the self-employed and public sector employees, the unemployed represents a
reasonable number of the respondents. This implies that social service delivery in Abia State
local governments have not made a great improvement in job creation.
Table 4.1.3: Location of Respondents Local Government Frequency Percentage
Bende 96 33.4
Umuahia North 93 32.4
Aba North 98 34.2
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016. 65
The data in the table above reveals that 96 representing 33.4 percent of the respondents were
based in Bende, 93 representing 32.4 percent of the respondents were based in Umuahia North
while 98 representing about 34.2 percent of the respondents were based in Aba North.
The implication of the location to the study is that it reveals the number of respondents
from a local government area and their views on social service delivery in their different locality.
4.1.4: Presentation and Analysis of the Substantive Data:
Question 4: During the period under study, service delivery is more when local government
chairmen are elected.
Table 4.1.4: Responses on service delivery as being more when local government chairmen are elected. Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 113 39.4
Agreed 106 36.9
Undecided 29 10.1
Strongly Disagree 15 5.2
Disagree 24 8.4
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.5 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 113 respondents
representing 39.4% of the sample strongly agreed to the view that service delivery is more when
local government chairmen are elected, 106 (36.9%) agreed, 15 (5.2%) strongly disagreed, 24
(8.4%) disagreed and 29 (10.1%) were undecided.
Therefore, if majority of the sample supports the view that service delivery is more when
local government chairmen are elected, it then implies that the election of a local government 66
chairman by the people makes them more responsive in the provision of social services to
meet the needs of their electorates. The view upheld by an attractive number of respondents
should be given some considerations because election of political officials makes them more
accountable, transparent, committed and less prone to corruption in providing the services
needed by the people.
Question 5: During the period under study, service delivery is more when local government
chairmen are appointed.
Table 4.1.5: Responses on service delivery as being more when local government chairmen are appointed. Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 39 13.6
Agreed 33 11.5
Undecided 47 16.4
Strongly Disagree 75 26.1
Disagree 93 32.7
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.6 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 39 respondents
representing 13.6% of the sample strongly agreed to the view that service delivery is more when
local government chairmen are appointed, 33 (11.5%) agreed, 47 (16.4%) were undecided, 75
(26.1%) strongly disagreed and 93 (32.7%) disagreed.
From the opinion of majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that service
delivery is less when local government chairmen are appointed. This is connected to the fact that 67
appointed chairmen are less effective than the elected chairmen because they owe no
allegiance to the people but to the people that appointed them. The purpose of appointment of
local government officials is to manage the local government pending the election of local
government chairmen, and this appointment is not expected to exceed one year. But the
appointments of local government chairmen in Abia State have become the norm. By
implication, ‘service to the people’ is no longer an advantage enjoyed by the people at the local
level following appointments of local government officials but ‘service to the godfather’.
Table 4.1.5.1: Political History of Bende, Umuahia North and Aba North Local Government Council from 2007-2014
S/N LOCAL PERIOD CHAIRMAN TYPE DURATION REASON FOR GOVERNMENT OF REMOVAL GOVT.
BENDE 2006-07 HIGH CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF 1. JOHNNY UKPABI TENURE
2008-10 HON CHIEF EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF 2. EMENIKE TENURE OKOROAFOR 2010-11 CHIEF UKWU TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF 3. EMMA ROCKS TENURE
2011-12 HON CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF 4. IKERIONWU TENURE OKARIMIA 2012-13 HON CHIEF S.U TCC 6 MONTHS NO OFFICIAL REASON 5. ONYEBINANMA
2013-14 CHIEF UKWU TCC I YEAR EXPIRATION OF 6. EMMA ROCKS TENURE
UMUAHIA 2006-07 CHIEF DICKSON TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF 7. NORTH NWOSU TENURE
8. 2007-09 LATE CHIEF EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF UKEGBU TENURE PRINCEWILL 9. 2009-10 CHIEF ONUIGBO TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF JOHNSON TENURE 10. 2010-11 SIR FRANK IBE TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF TENURE 11. 2013-14 CHIEF TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF CHUKWUDI TENURE NDUMELE 68
12. 2014-15 DEACON IYKE TCC LESS THAN ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO NWOKE 1YEAR RIG THE 2015 ELECTION 13. ABA NORTH 2007-08 BARR. HAGLER TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF OKORIE TENURE 14. 2008-10 HON. IFEANYI EC 2 YEARS EXPIRATION OF IKWECHEGHI TENURE 15. 2010-11 SIR BEN WOGU ACTING FEW APPOINTMENT OF TCC TCC MONTHS 16. 2011 HON DAVID TCC LESS THAN NO OFFICIAL REASON CHIGBU A YEAR 17. 2011-12 CHIEF HON TCC 2 YEARS OVERSTAYED THE EZENWA TENURE OF TCC NGWAKWE 18. 2012-13 HON GOODLUCK TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF A. AMAEFULA TENURE 19. 2013 HON APOLLOS TCC LESS THAN SUSPENDED ALOZIE A YEAR 20. 2013 AMBASSADOR ACTING LESS THAN APPOINTMENT OF TCC JONATHAN TCC A YEAR IKOROHA 21. 2013-14 HON. BARR. TCC 1 YEAR EXPIRATION OF CHIZURU TENURE KELECHI KANU 22. 2014-15 PRINCE DAN TCC 1 YEAR ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO KALU RIG THE 2015 ELECTION (EC is Executive Chairman and TCC is Transition Committee Chairman) Source: Field work, 2016.
From the above table, it depicts that the most of the local government chairmen in Bende,
Umuahia North and Aba North local government from 2007-2014 were appointed rather than
elected. Appointment of local government chairmen in Abia State have become the norm and
hence, rather than representing the interest of the masses, their allegiance is to the people who
appointed them, concomitantly relegating the provision of social services to the background.
Question 6: The local government chairmen have done well in the provision of quality water
supply from 2007-2014
Table 4.1.6: Responses on whether the local government chairmen have done well in the provision of quality water supply from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 22 7.6
Agreed 53 18.5 69
Undecided 24 8.4
Strongly Disagree 103 35.9
Disagree 85 29.6
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.7 classifies the opinion of respondents on the local government chairmen’s’
performance in the provision of quality water supply from 2007-2014. It shows that minority of
the respondents 22 (7.6%) strongly agreed that the local government chairmen have done well in
the provision of quality water supply from 2007-2014, 53 (18.5%) agreed, 24 (8.4%) were
undecided, while majority of the respondents 103 (35.9%) strongly disagreed and 85 (29.6%)
disagreed.
Judging from the above interpretation, the researcher concluded that the local government
chairmen in Abia State local governments have not done well in the provision of quality water
supply from 2007-2014. This is connected to the fact and figures as represented above which
reveals that most of the local chairmen in Abia State are not duly elected but appointed. This
makes them to be loyal to the people who put them in power rather than representing the interest
of the people by providing their basic needs such as the provision of quality water supply. In the
research carried out by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the Nigeria
Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abia State was
ranked low on the residents’ accessibility to good drinking water.
Table 4.2.1: Percentage Distribution of Household, by Distance of Dwelling to Source of Water State Inside Dwelling Within 500m 500m-1km 1km or More
Abia 5.0 69.2 23.8 1.9 70
Rural 12.8 60.3 20.3 6.5
Urban 21.7 53.0 23.4 1.8
National 16.1 57.7 21.4 4.8
Source: NBS/CBN/NCC Collaborative Social Economic Survey (2010)
The above table shows the proportion of Abia State, rural and urban population in Nigeria, and
the whole population in Nigeria that have access to water supply. It shows that the proportion of
the population in Abia State that has access to water supply is generally poor. The percentage of
the nation’s population with water within dwelling is only 12% compared to the 5% in Abia
State, which has the lowest out of the states (Borno, Sokoto, Kano, Lagos, Abia, Rivers, FCT)
selected for study in Nigeria. The above survey clearly depicts the inaccessibility of Abians to
good drinking water and also exposes the local government chairmen’s failure to provide water
for the grassroots. Inaccessibility to safe drinking water is a basic need which has been denied
the people by their political leaders. The impact of the dearth of this social need is not only
devastating to the people, but also to the Nigerian economy.
Question 7: The local government chairmen have done well in the provision of good road
networks from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.7: Responses on whether the local government chairmen have done well in the provision of good road networks from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 29 10.1
Agreed 22 7.7
Undecided 11 3.8
Strongly Disagree 128 44.6 71
Disagree 97 33.8
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.7 classifies the opinions of respondents on the above statement. 97 (33.8%) of the
respondents disagreed, 128 (44.6%) strongly disagreed, 22 (7.7%) agreed, 29 (10.1%) strongly
agreed and 11 (3.8%) were undecided. It shows that majority of the respondents opposed the
statement while fewer respondents concurred.
If minority of the respondents attest that the local government chairmen have done well
in the provision of good road networks from 2007-2014, then the majority view of the
respondents should form the base from which conclusion is drawn. From the opinion of
overwhelming majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that the local government
chairmen have not done well in the provision of good road networks from 2007-2014. The
majority view is also supported by complaints in the rural communities regarding the deplorable
state of rural roads. The dissatisfaction of the people has resulted in the writing of letters and
articles of complaints to Abia State government. Yet, Sahara Reporters (2013) maintains that,
despite all the funds received in Abia State, there is still a conspicuous absence of infrastructural
development; complete collapse of roads in all the 17 local government areas of the state. They
also reported that there was no sign of road construction and rehabilitation in Aba, the
commercial nerve centre of the state and the road to Bende and other nearby villages is very
deplorable and constitutes a death trap to users. Further buttressing this fact, Eze (2015) in the
Nation News asserted that the fact that roads in Abia State have erroneously remained on the
front burner is not only troubling but calls for immediate concern and attention by appropriate
authorities. 72
Table 4.1.7.1: The State of Social Service Delivery of Road and Water by Abia State Local Government Chairmen across the Senatorial Zones from 2007-2014. S/N SENATORIAL SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECT SECTOR STATUS ZONE 1. Abia North Rehabilitation of Uturu water scheme Infrastructure Uncompleted Construction of Ebem Ohafia Water Infrastructure Uncompleted Scheme, Ohafia Construction of New Water Scheme at Infrastructure Uncompleted NkwoAmiyi Okoko, Item, Bende L.G.A Rehabilitation/Patching of Akara Junction Infrastructure Uncompleted Ovim-Amokwe-Ogudiasaa Road , Isiukwuato 2. Abia Central Rehabilitation of Olokoro Water Scheme, Infrastructure Uncompleted Umuahia Construction of Motorized Borehole at Infrastructure Not Ubani-Ubeku, Umuahia South functioning Construction of Unity Garden, Osisoma Infrastructure Abandoned Ring Road Construction of 3 Number Roads in Infrastructure Uncompleted Umuana 1st Gate, Ahiaeke and IBB GRA 3. Abia South Construction of New Water Scheme at the Infrastructure Uncompleted Common Facility Centre, Aba Flood Control Project at Ukwu Mango Infrastructure Uncompleted Ariaria Construction of Roads at Umugo- Infrastructure Uncompleted Isaumuka-Umuodo-Ugwunnabo L.G.A. Rehabilitation of Ehi, Ehere, Azikiwe and Infrastructure Uncompleted Asa Roads, Aba Source: Eze, 2012.
The above shows that the chairmen of Abia State local governments have not done well in water and road provision in their localities. This can be attributed to little or no effort towards 73
water provision and road construction and rehabilitation and multiplicity of uncompleted
infrastructural projects in the state. This has generated a wild range of criticism from all and
sundry about the deplorable state of social services delivered in the state which is disheartening
where the ‘Japan of Nigeria’ is situated.
Question 8: During the period under study, service delivery of water and roads received more attention in terms of funding.
Table 4.1.8: Responses on whether service delivery of water and roads received more attention in terms of funding. Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 35 12.2
Agreed 46 16.0
Undecided 21 7.3
Strongly Disagree 97 33.8
Disagree 88 30.7
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.8 classifies the opinions of respondents on the above statement. 88 (30.7%) of the
respondents disagreed that during the period under study, service delivery of water and roads
received more attention in terms of funding, 97 (33.8%) strongly disagreed, 46 (16.0%) agreed,
35 (12.2%) strongly agreed and 21 (7.3%) were undecided.
Judging from the above analyses, the researcher draws his conclusion from the opinion of
the majority that during the period of study, service delivery of water and roads did not receive
more attention in terms of funding. According to Eze (2012), “Abia State received in 2011 a total
gross allocation of 4,214,342,462.96 naira (that is more than 4.2 billion naira) from the federal
government. Of this amount, (more than 450 million naira) came from the 13% share of 74
derivation as an oil producing state”. Okechukwu (2012) is of the view that the seventeen local
government areas in Abia State spent the sum of twenty-five billion six hundred and thirty nine
thousand seven hundred and sixty naira only (#25,639, 979, 760) for the service of the councils
for the year ending 31st December, 2012. Despite the huge financial outlay, the report card of
social service delivery, particularly in water and road provision in the local governments still
begs for improvement. This is also supported from the above facts and figures that service
delivery of water and roads at the local governments in Abia State was ineffective and
inefficient. Local government officials, despite federal and state allocations also blame
inadequate financing as a major limitation in representing the people’s interest in the provision of
basic services such as water and roads. Could it be that the finances provided are not efficiently
utilized or inadequate? Whatever the case may be and by implication, Abia State local
government finances have not improved service delivery of water and roads and obviously, they
cannot remain the sole provider of rural water and roads.
Question 9: Service delivery of water and roads led to empowerment of the rural people in Abia
State from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.9: Responses on whether service delivery of water and roads led to empowerment of the rural people in Abia State from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 39 13.6
Agreed 33 11.5
Undecided 47 16.4
Strongly Disagree 75 26.1
Disagree 93 32.4 75
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.9 shows responses to the above statement. 39 (13.6%) respondents strongly agreed that
the provision of water and roads by the local government chairmen from 2007-2014 led to
empowerment of the rural people in Abia State, 33 (11.5%) agreed compared to 75 (26.1%)
respondents that strongly disagreed, 93 (32.4%) disagreed while 47 (16.4%) were undecided.
By implication, one of the contributions of social service delivery by their providers is
empowerment. It has become axiomatic that the provision of services such as water and road has
been deplorable, and it cannot be controverted that these basic services makes it easier for people
to become empowered and self-reliant. Lack of empowerment breeds unemployment, rural-urban
migration, poverty, and high crime rate among others. These have become problems associated
with Abia State during the period under study. There have been complaints by the rural people
on inadequacy and lack of service delivery of water and roads. This is because lack of access to
clean water makes people sick and unable to maximize their potentials to help themselves and
the society. Also, poor roads make it difficult if not impossible for rural people to transport their
farm products for commercial purposes leading to their impoverishment. From the figures on
employment category, it reveals that 48 respondents representing 16.7% were unemployed. The
rate of empowerment of the rural people is one of the measures for determining if social service
delivery has been effective and efficient or not. Since rural empowerment is low owing to poor
state of social service delivery at the rural areas, it becomes axiomatic that the local government,
who are the providers of services at the local level, cannot do so without support.
It is no wonder that the researcher concluded from the opinion of overwhelming majority
that service delivery of road and water have not led to empowerment of the people. 76
Question 10: The local government is the sole provider of social services at the local level
from 2007-2014
Table 4.1.10: Responses on whether the local government is the sole provider of Social services at the local level from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 18 6.3
Agreed 21 7.3
Undecided 33 11.5
Strongly Disagree 139 48.4
Disagree 76 26.5
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.10 classifies the opinion of respondents on the local government as the sole provider of
social services at the local level from 2007-2014. It shows that minority of the respondents 18
(6.3%) strongly agreed, 21 (7.3%) agreed, 33 (11.5%) were undecided, while majority of the
respondents 139 (48.4%) strongly disagreed and 76 (26.5%) disagreed.
Judging from the opinion of the majority of the respondents, the researcher concluded
that the local governments in Abia State are not the sole providers of social services at the local
level. This is supported from the figures below which reveals that the private sector, individuals,
NGOs among others also provides and complements Abia State local governments’ effort in
social service delivery.
77
Question 11: The federal and state public agencies have played a key role in social services
delivery at the local level during the period under study.
Table 4.1.11: Responses on whether the federal and state public agencies have played a key role in social services delivery at the local level during the period under study Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 76 26.5
Agreed 97 33.8
Undecided 25 8.7
Strongly Disagree 31 10.8
Disagree 58 20.2
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.11 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 76 respondents
representing 26.5% of the sample strongly agree to the view that the federal and state public
agencies have played a key role in social services delivery at the local level during the period
under study, 97 (33.8%) agreed, 31 (10.8%) strongly disagreed, 58 (20.2%) disagreed and 25
(8.7%) were undecided.
From the facts and figures above, one can quickly deduce that over 76% percent of the
sample studied expressed their views in favour of the idea that the federal and state public
agencies have played a key role in social services delivery at the local level during the period
under study. Federal and state governments, through their agencies also have constitutional roles
to provide social services independently or in partnership with the local government. If absolute
majority of the sample upheld such view, it then implies that the federal and state public agencies
have played a key role in social services delivery at the local level during the period under study. 78
In line with above conclusion, interview held with some of the residents revealed that there are
many completed and ongoing federal and state projects in their rural communities provided to
improve the standard of living of the people.
Question 12: The local communities complemented the local government efforts in social
services delivery from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.12: Responses on whether the local communities complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 82 28.6
Agreed 69 24.0
Undecided 31 10.8
Strongly Disagree 55 19.2
Disagree 50 17.4
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.12 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 82 respondents
representing 28.6% of the sample strongly agree to the view that the local communities
complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from 2007-2014, 69
(24.0%) agreed, 55 (19.2%) strongly disagreed, 50 (17.4%) disagreed and 31 (10.8%) were
undecided.
From the opinion of the majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that that the
local communities complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from
2007-2014. To support the opinion of the majority of the respondents who concurred that the
local communities complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from 79
2007-2014, Elias, Afoniyan and Babatola (2014) rightly asserted that many residents of
Nigeria’s cities and rural areas have become their own municipal authorities! They provide their
own electricity, dig their own boreholes, provide their own security and handle their waste
disposal themselves. Following the deplorable state of social services delivered from 2007-2014,
Abia State rural dwellers have provided social services for themselves in the health sector,
education sector, water, and waste disposal among others. In doing this, they complement the
efforts of the local government. Although the rural dwellers supported the idea that they
complement the local government’s efforts in social service delivery, they also revealed that their
participation is minimal owing to non-involvement and alienation by the local governments who
adopt a top-down approach in social services delivery. For instance, in Bende local government
in 2012, a borehole was constructed inside the local government council as against the interior
villages where water was scarce. The local communities were angry as they were not consulted
by the local government before the construction of the borehole. This led them to organize
themselves to provide water to meet their needs.
Question 13: NGOs aided the local governments in social service delivery from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.13: Responses on whether NGOs aided the local governments in social service delivery from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 52 18.1
Agreed 71 24.7
Undecided 88 30.7
Strongly Disagree 23 8.0
Disagree 53 18.5
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016. 80
Table 4.1.13 findings show that 52 (18.1%) respondents strongly agreed with the statement
that NGOs aided the local governments in social service delivery from 2007-2014, 71 (24.7%)
respondents agreed compared to 23 (8.0%) who strongly disagreed and 53 (18.5%) disagreed
while 88 (30.7%) were undecided.
From the opinion of the majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that NGOs
helped the local governments in social service delivery from 2007-2014. In line with the above
conclusion, the rural communities in Abia State appraised the efforts of some notable NGOs like
the Mercy Odochi foundation, Edda-Agbor Education Support Trust and Bright Anyanwu’s
Foundation among others whose sole aim is to provide services for the people and for the
betterment of their living conditions.
Question 14: During the period under study, philanthropists have aided the local governments in
social service delivery.
Table 4.1.14: Responses on whether philanthropists aided the local governments in social service delivery during the period under study Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 99 34.5
Agreed 123 42.9
Undecided 14 4.9
Strongly Disagree 30 10.5
Disagree 21 7.3
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.14 classifies the opinion of respondents on the above statement. It shows that majority
of the respondents 99 (34.5%) strongly agreed that during the period under study, philanthropists 81
have aided the local governments in social service delivery, 123 (42.9%) agreed, 14 (4.9%)
were undecided, while minority of the respondents 30 (10.5%) strongly disagreed and 21 (7.3%)
disagreed.
Judging from the above analyses, the researcher concluded from the opinion of majority
of the respondents that during the period under study, philanthropists have aided the local
governments in social service delivery. To support the opinion of the majority of the sample, the
interview held with some of the adult residents revealed that there are many philanthropic social
services provided in the state. Notable among them is the rural electrification project provided by
a philanthropist in Umuana Ndume community in Umuahia North L.G.A of the state.
Question 15: Excessive interference of federal and state governments/ lack of autonomy
hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from
2007-2014.
Table 4.1.15: Responses on whether excessive interference of federal and state governments/ lack of autonomy hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 129 44.9
Agreed 83 28.9
Undecided 16 5.6
Strongly Disagree 40 13.9
Disagree 19 6.6
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016. 82
Table 4.1.15 findings show that 129 (44.9%) respondents strongly agreed with the view that
excessive interference of federal and state governments/ lack of autonomy hindered the effective
and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014, 83 (28.9%)
respondents agreed, 40 (13.9%) strongly disagreed, 19 (6.6%) disagreed while 16 (5.6%) were
undecided.
In line with the above conclusion, Nwaigwe (2013) is of the view that it is absolutely
impracticable for the local government councils in Abia State to function effectively with
caretaker committee chairmen whose appointments and detects are solely determined and
decided by the governor. Also, the issue of State and Local Government Joint Account (SLGJA)
empowered by the constitution is another means of interference in local government affairs. How
can a local government perform its social service delivery function when the local government
chairman is an appointee of the governor and the governor is also in charge of the finance of the
local government? From the facts and figures represented above and the opinion of majority of
the sample, the researcher concluded that social service delivery at the local government level in
Abia State have remained deplorable because of lack of autonomy of the local government in
managing their affairs.
Question 16: Inadequate financing hindered the effective and efficient provision of social
services by the local government from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.16: Responses on whether inadequate financing hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 99 34.5
Agreed 51 17.8
Undecided 11 3.8 83
Strongly Disagree 86 30.0
Disagree 40 13.9
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.16 findings show that 99 (34.5%) respondents strongly agreed that inadequate
financing hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local
government from 2007-2014, 51 (17.8%) respondents agreed, 86 (30.0%) strongly disagreed, 40
(13.9%) disagreed while 11 (3.8%) were undecided.
To support the above figures, the local government chairmen have always attributed their
poor social service delivery to lack of finance. Since there have been more appointments than
election of local government chairmen at the local government in Abia State, they
unquestionably receive the crumbs thrown to them by the governor. Many residents of Abia
State, who are into businesses, are bitterly complaining of over-taxing by the state government.
But still, the state government who controls the finances of the local government finds it difficult
to provide funds that is sufficient for the local government to carry out their functions. Could the
problem of inadequate financing be the lack of autonomy of the local government, corruption,
mismanagement of funds or insufficient allocation by the federal and state government? The
problem still remains that lack of money for executing projects have made social service delivery
a joke at the local government level in Abia State. From the facts and figures above and opinion
of majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that inadequate financing hindered the
effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014. 84
Question 17: Corruption hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by
the local government from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.17: Responses on whether corruption hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 112 39.0
Agreed 98 34.1
Undecided 9 3.1
Strongly Disagree 37 12.9
Disagree 31 10.8
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.17 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 112 respondents
representing 39.0% of the sample strongly agree to the view that corruption hindered the
effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014, 98
(34.1%) agreed, 37 (12.9 %) strongly disagreed, 31 (10.8%) disagreed and 9 (3.1%) were
undecided.
In support of the above, there are complaints by Abians that corruption stinks to high
heavens at the local government. The people are not clear about the constitutional roles and
empowerment of the local government as a tier of government. This is because of lackadaisical
attitude of the local government in performing their functions owing to many corrupt practices
which ranges from embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, taking kickbacks on contracts
and inflation of contacts among others. It has been rightly asserted by many authors and scholars
that inadequate financing limits the capabilities of the local government, but if inadequacy of
finances is self-induced by the local government officials in a bid to satisfy their selfish interest 85
at the expense of public interest, then the result is a mockery of the idea of social services.
This corrupt act is and still remains one of the reasons for the deplorable state of social services
delivered in Abia State. From the opinion of majority of the sample, the researcher concluded
that corruption hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local
government from 2007-2014.
Question 18: Lack of political will and commitment hindered the effective and efficient
provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.18: Responses on whether lack of political will and commitment hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 67 23.3
Agreed 121 42.2
Undecided 25 8.7
Strongly Disagree 40 13.9
Disagree 34 11.8
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.18 depicts the responses of the respondents on the statement above. 67 respondents
representing 23.3% of the sample strongly agreed to the view that lack of political will and
commitment hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local
government from 2007-2014, 121 (42.2%) agreed, 25 (8.7%) were undecided, 40 (13.9%)
strongly disagreed and 34 (11.8%) disagreed.
Judging from the above analyses, the researcher concluded that lack of political will and
commitment hindered the effective and efficient delivery of social services. In support of the 86
above, it has been established that social service delivery by Abia State local government is
less when the local government chairmen are appointed. Appointment of local government
chairmen does not encourage adequate representation of the people’s interest. As they are not the
people’s mandate, it is no wonder that these political appointees lack the will and commitment to
ensure that the social needs and problem of the people are met, rather their allegiance is to the
people who put them in power. That is why when local government officials are appointed, they
are given a list of ‘to do’s’ which more often than not, have nothing to do with the people but
everything to do with the ‘appointors’. It is a fact that social services will continue to remain a
nightmare in an environment where the political leaders lacks the will and commitment to turn
ideas into actions, visions into missions and social needs and problems into reality.
Question 19: Accountability and Transparency hindered the effective and efficient provision of
social services by the local government from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.19: Responses on whether accountability and transparency hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 27 9.4
Agreed 24 8.4
Undecided 13 4.5
Strongly Disagree 136 47.4
Disagree 87 30.3
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.19 classifies the opinion of respondents on the above statement. It shows that minority
of the respondents 27 (9.4%) strongly agree, 24 (8.4%) agree, 13 (4.5%) were undecided, while
majority of the respondents 136 (47.4%) strongly disagree and 87 (30.3%) disagreed. 87
From the opinion of the majority of the sample, the researcher concluded that
transparency and accountability does not hinder social service delivery but rather, lack of
transparency and accountability. In line with the above conclusion and from the above facts and
figures, it is a herculean task for an environment that thrives with corruption, unprofessionalism
and lack of representation and due process to be accountable and transparent. Nwaigwe (2013) is
of the view that it is impracticable for Abia State indigenes to hold their appointed
representatives accountable and for the appointees to become transparent in their shady dealings
with people who put them in power. Of course, these ill deeds would be covered up to avoid
criticism and the law. Lack of accountability and transparency has caused a lot of damage to
social service delivery in Abia State local governments and it is no longer a surprise why the
state of social services remains deplorable in the state.
Question 20: Lack of qualified personnel hindered the effective and efficient provision of social
services by the local government from 2007-2014.
Table 4.1.20: Responses on whether lack of qualified personnel hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 Responses Frequency Percentage
Strongly agree 128 44.6
Agreed 91 31.7
Undecided 26 9.1
Strongly Disagree 31 10.8
Disagree 11 3.8
Total 287 100
Source: Field work, 2016.
Table 4.1.21 findings show that 128 (44.6%) respondents strongly agreed that lack of qualified
personnel hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local 88 government from 2007-2014, 91 (31.7%) respondents agreed, 31 (10.8%) strongly disagreed,
11 (3.8%) disagreed while 26 (9.1%) were undecided.
In line with the above, the Commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs,
Chief Emma Nwabuko in 2013 affirmed that the culture of unprofessionalism and use of untrained and unqualified staff is prevalent in Abia State local government. During the field work carried out by the researcher at the local governments, it was discovered that the local government employees are not qualified and have no knowledge of their functions. A staff in the information department in one of the local governments also confirmed that they are not dedicated in carrying out their functions since their job is ‘oruoyibo’ meaning white man’s’ job and recruitment is based on mediocrity rather than meritocracy. State control of the recruitment process of the local government through Abia State Local Government Civil Service
Commission (ASLGCSC) is prone to abuse. This leads to recruitment of half-baked staff in the local government who has nothing to contribute in providing services to the people. Also, lack of financial power to attract and retain qualified personnel is another reason for unprofessionalism in Abia State local governments. It is no wonder that social service delivery in Abia State has become a mere gimmick because the employees who play a major role in ensuring that social services are delivered effectively and efficiently are not qualified and trained to carry out their functions. From the above facts and figures, the researcher concluded that social service delivery at the local government in Abia State have remained poor because of unqualified staff. 89
4.2 TESTING OF THE HYPOTHESES
Hypothesis 1: The elected and appointed Local Government chairmen provided water and roads in Abia State Local Governments from 2007-2014.
To test this hypothesis, facts and figures in table 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7 and 4.1.8 were used. In table 4.1.4, out of 287respondents used for the study, majority of the respondents supported the claim that during the period under study, service delivery is more when local government chairmen are elected. In table 4.1.5, majority of the respondents did not support the claim that during the period under study, service delivery is more when local government chairmen are appointed. In table 4.1.6 and 4.1.7, majority of the respondents did not support the claim that the local government chairmen have done well in the provision of water and good road networks from 2007-2014 respectively. In table 4.1.8, majority of the respondents did not support the claim that during the period under study, the service delivery of water and roads received more attention in terms of funding
To substantiate the view held by the majority of the respondents above, it is an uncontroverted fact that the state of service delivery in Nigeria is a sorry one. Non-existent or inadequate as well as inefficient social services have become the norm in Nigeria. But at the local government level in Abia State, the deplorable state of social services delivered from 2007-
2014 calls for attention on the contributions of the local government chairmen in social services delivery and particularly in water and road provision during the aforementioned period. From the above figures, it has been established that social service delivery is more when local government chairmen are elected. Unfortunately, there has been more appointment than election of local government chairmen from 2007-2014 as represented in table 4.1.5.1. This is one of the reasons why the local government chairmen have not done well in water and road provision. According to Nwaigwe (2013) in the Nigerian Voice, Abia State is quite pathetic! In the last six years, the 90 state has not deemed it necessary to conduct election to enthrone democratically elected chairmen to administer the executive functions of the local government council. Because of deliberate oversight on the side of the political leaders vested with the responsibility to ensure that local council operates with constitutional compliance, the governor have continued to hinge on that to flaw the rules thereby, and has made local government irresponsible to her constitutional responsibility. This irresponsibility of the local government in Abia State to her constitutional responsibility is depicted in abandonment and underperformance in their functions particularly, with regards to social service delivery. According to Okechukwu (2012), the seventeen local government areas in Abia State are to spend the sum of twenty-five billion six hundred and thirty nine thousand seven hundred and sixty naira only (#25,639, 979, 760) for the service of the councils for the year ending 31st December, 2012. Yet, Sahara Reporters (2013) maintains that, despite all the funds received in Abia State, there is still a conspicuous absence of infrastructural development; complete collapse of roads in all the 17 local government areas of the state. They also reported that there was no sign of road construction and rehabilitation in
Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state and the road to Bende and other nearby villages is very deplorable and constitutes a death trap to users. By implication, there still remains a wide gap between the finances of the local governments in Abia State and social services delivered.
This is clearly reflected in the deplorable state of infrastructures in the state where Chukwu
(2014) rightly asserted that there has been no meaningful development with regards to infrastructural facilities in Abia State 22 years down the lane. In support of this, Eze (2015) in the Nation News noted that the fact that roads in Abia State have erroneously remained on the front burner is not only troubling but calls for immediate concern and attention by appropriate authorities. In a comment made by Olughu in Eze (2015), Most of the roads in Aba and Umuahia 91 are littered with potholes, Aba the commercial nerve center has only two pedestrian crossings, and Umuahia one”. This is very disheartening in a State where the ‘Japan of Nigeria’ is located.
On the issue of water provision by Abia State local government chairmen from 2007-
2014, the excerpts of the report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) put this infrastructural deficit and service delivery conundrum into context. Table 4.2.1 shows the distance and location of sources of water available to households in Abia State, rural and urban population in Nigeria, and the whole population in Nigeria.
Table 4.2.1: Percentage Distribution of Household, by Distance of Dwelling to Source of
Water
State Inside Dwelling Within 500m 500m-1km 1km or More
Abia 5.0 69.2 23.8 1.9
Rural 12.8 60.3 20.3 6.5
Urban 21.7 53.0 23.4 1.8
National 16.1 57.7 21.4 4.8
Source: NBS/CBN/NCC Collaborative Social Economic Survey (2010)
The above table shows the proportion of Abia State, rural and urban population in Nigeria, and the whole population in Nigeria that have access to water supply. It shows that the proportion of the population in Abia State that has access to water supply is generally poor. The percentage of the nation’s population with water within dwelling is only 12% compared to the 5% in Abia
State, which has the lowest out of the states (Borno, Sokoto, Kano, Lagos, Abia, Rivers, FCT) selected for study in Nigeria. The above survey clearly depicts the inaccessibility of Abians to 92 good drinking water and also exposes the local government chairmen’s failure to provide water for the grassroots.
Table 4.2.2: The State of Social Service Delivery of Road and Water by Abia State Local Government Chairmen across the Senatorial Zones from 2007-2014. S/N SENATORIAL SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECT SECTOR STATUS ZONE 1. Abia North Rehabilitation of Uturu water scheme Infrastructure Uncompleted
Construction of Ebem Ohafia Water Infrastructure Uncompleted Scheme, Ohafia Construction of New Water Scheme at Infrastructure Uncompleted Nkwo-Amiyi Okoko, Item, Bende L.G.A Rehabilitation/Patching of Akara Junction Infrastructure Uncompleted Ovim-Amokwe-Ogudiasaa Road , Isiukwuato 2. Abia Central Rehabilitation of Olokoro Water Scheme, Infrastructure Uncompleted Umuahia Construction of Motorized Borehole at Infrastructure Not Ubani-Ubeku, Umuahia South functioning Construction of Unity Garden, Osisoma Infrastructure Abandoned Ring Road Construction of 3 Number Roads in Infrastructure Uncompleted Umuana 1st Gate, Ahiaeke and IBB GRA 3. Abia South Construction of New Water Scheme at the Infrastructure Uncompleted Common Facility Centre, Aba Flood Control Project at Ukwu Mango Infrastructure Uncompleted Ariaria Construction of Roads at Umugo- Infrastructure Uncompleted Isaumuka-Umuodo-Ugwunnabo L.G.A. Rehabilitation of Ehi, Ehere, Azikiwe and Infrastructure Uncompleted Asa Roads, Aba Source: Field work, 2016 93
The above shows that the chairmen of Abia State local governments have not done well in water and road provision in their localities. This can be attributed to little or no effort towards water provision and road construction and rehabilitation and multiplicity of uncompleted infrastructural projects in the state. This has generated a wild range of criticism from all and sundry about the deplorable state of social services delivered in the state.
Judging from the view upheld by majority of the respondents and that expressed by many authors in different literatures which are not in favour of the above hypothesis, the researcher therefore rejects the hypothesis as invalid and untrue and is therefore not accepted.
Hypothesis 2: Federal and State public agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
Local Communities and Philanthropists complemented the efforts of Abia State Local
Governments towards social services delivery from 2007-2014.
In order to test the above hypothesis, table 4.1.10, 4.1.11, 4.1.12 and 4.1.13 were considered. In table 4.1.10, out of the 287 respondents, 173 representing 60.3% of the sample supported the claim that the federal and state public agencies have played a key role in social service delivery at the local level during the period under study. In table 4.1.11, 151 respondents representing 52.3% of the sample supported the claim that the local communities complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from 2007-2014. In table 4.1.12, 123
(42.9%) respondents concurred that NGOs aided the local governments in social service delivery from 2007-2014. In table 4.1.13, 222 (77.4%) respondents supported the view that philanthropists have aided the provision social services for the rural people during the period under study. 94
In support of the view held by the majority of the respondents above, the 1979/1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria granted the federal government and state governments the authority to perform social service in many areas; education, health, infrastructure, agriculture among others independently or in liaison with the local government.
By providing these services, they complement the efforts of the local government in rural development and concomitantly, national development. Further buttressing this fact, Khemani
(2001) maintains that although the federal government recognizes that the primary responsibility for delivering these basic services rests with the states and local governments, it appears to distrust their capacity and will to do so effectively. Driven by this paternalistic rationale, it chooses to treat certain sectors such as primary health and education as national priorities and intervenes extensively in delivery, largely through direct investments in infrastructure. Some examples are the construction of schools by the federal government under the Universal Basic
Education (UBE) program; construction of primary health care centers by the National Primary
Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA); federal management of rural water schemes and bore-hole construction under the National Water Rehabilitation Project (NWRP). Abia State agencies in fulfilling the state governments constitutional responsibility includes; Abia State
Water Board, Abia State Waste Management Agency, Abia State Transport, Abia State
Universal Basic Education (ASUBE) among others. Abia State local governments, who are the recipients of these services views these federal and state programs as natural and welcome, and in line with the federal constitutional responsibility. In support of the above, Ifenkwe and Kalu
(2012) maintains that the Federal Government of Nigeria in providing social services has embarked on multi-faceted poverty alleviation program tailored towards attaining poverty reduction through such measures which includes; the Agricultural Development Program (ADP),
National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP), the Operation Feed the Nation 95
(OFN), the Nigerian Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), National Fadama
Development Programme (NFDP) and the National Special Programme for Food Security
(NSPFS). These national social service programs are provided for the grassroots through the state like Abia Agricultural Development Program (AADP) among others. It has become axiomatic that these national programmes and tools of social service delivery cannot achieve its aim without involving the grassroots. The above programmes are still in existence in Abia State and have inevitably complemented the local government’s efforts in rural development.
Social services delivery at the local government level in Abia State (2007-2014) cannot be evaluated without mentioning the efforts of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their support to the local government. Within Nigeria and especially in Abia State, many organizations have committed themselves to finding creative ways of breaking the shackles of poverty through social service delivery. NGOs are one of these organizations and it may be profit oriented or service oriented. According to Jekayinfa (2016), Non-governmental
Organizations (NGOs) can be distinguished by sectors. For example there are NGOs in sectors like: Agriculture, Community development, Micro- credit/Enterprise Institutions, Health
/Population, Human Settlement/Environment, Women, Education and Development, Social
Development and Youth Organizations. However, Service oriented NGOs are those that provide different kinds of services to people and to other organizations in the above sectors and their support to the local governments in Abia State during the period 2007-2014 includes; provision of grants and scholarships to deserving students, women education and empowerment, sensitization of rural communities on the importance of community participation, construction and rehabilitation of schools, construction of bore-holes, among others. Examples of NGOs in
Abia State that largely complemented the local governments’ efforts in social service delivery includes; Halt United Sell Help Organization (HUSHO), Mercy Odochi Foundation, Edda-Agbor 96
Education Support Trust, Bright Anyanwu’s Foundation, and Victims of Crisis Aid Society among numerous others.
The local communities’ and philanthropists’ contributions to social service delivery in
Abia State local governments cannot be over-emphasized. Though, they may not be able to embark on huge capital projects like the construction of rural feeder roads, building of bridges and culverts, e.t.c. Elias, Afoniyan and Babatola (2014) rightly asserted that many residents of
Nigeria’s cities and rural areas have become their own municipal authorities! They provide their own electricity, dig their own boreholes, provide their own security and handle their waste disposal themselves. Following the deplorable state of social services delivered from 2007-2014,
Abia State local communities, rural dwellers and philanthropists have provided social services in such areas as water, rehabilitation of schools, health centres, provision of transformers for electricity generation and the disposal of sewages and dumps, e.t.c. Majority of the respondents appraised the magnanimity of wealthy individuals who complemented the local governments efforts in social service delivery. One of the outstanding social services provided by a philanthropist in Umuana Ndume Community in Umuahia north L.G.A is rural electrification.
This was because of the non-response of the state and local government on the outcries of the rural community on the epileptic power supply in their community. Also, in a personal interview with some adult residents at the local governments in Abia State, they affirmed that although community participation is low due to the local governments’ non-involvement and neglect of the rural communities, local communities complements local government’s efforts in social services delivery. One of their support stems from refuse disposal and community sanitation. In doing this, they no longer wait for the local government to perform their constitutional responsibility of refuse disposal and sanitation which they more often than not, abandon. It has become an incontrovertible fact that without local communities’ involvement in social service 97 delivery, it becomes a haphazard and unsustainable affair. In support of the above, Maddick
(in Igbokwe-Ibeto, 2003) notes that: to achieve social change and general economic growth requires a spreading efforts so that local communities and individuals can participate to bring under ideal conditions, energy, enthusiasm and most important of all local development activities, and to act above all, as local centers of initiative and activity conducive, to development. The provision of social services in Nigeria and particularly at the local government level in Abia State is deplorable and as a consequence, in general, residents have to go considerable lengths to provide themselves with social service regardless of the taxes to the central and state government, in a country that has as many as 774 local governments. One sees here that it is not the mere existence (or non-existence) of local governments that ensures the provision of public services. Rather, there are other bodies that are also capable of providing social services to improve the welfare of the local people. Recognizing the advantages of community participation to social service delivery and concomitantly rural development, the
Honorable Commissioner for Information representing Abia State in the Governance Share Fair addresses and presentations made a presentation on ‘Community and social development reform’. He opines that, “To bridge the gap between the people in government and the communities in the state, a shift in approach was necessary. Alongside development partners,
Abia State began a community and social development programme, a strategy anchored on public engagement. The programme which is adapted from the World Bank Community and
Social Development Programme (CSDP) examined the tenets of the CSDP and it has been made the basis on which government awards projects. This model involves the creation of socially inclusive projects across the various sectors. Abia State has adopted this as a strategy to engineer sustainable reforms and have the people take ownership of the projects in their communities.
Community projects undertaken by the state emanate from the community and Local 98
Governments so as to address the specific needs of communities. This aims to foster a bottom- up approach as opposed to the top-down method previously employed. This involves partnering with the members of the community to achieve projects; this is to enable them to take ownership of the projects in their different Local Governments. To give it legal backing, the need for community participation was enacted into Abia State Law (2) of 2008.
Judging from the above views from both the respondents and that obtained from various literature, the researcher believes that the above hypothesis is correct and is therefore accepted.
Hypothesis 3: Lack of autonomy, inadequate financing, lack of political will and commitment, lack of qualified personnel and corruption hindered the effective and efficient delivery of social service by Abia State Local Governments in the period (2007-2014).
In a bid to test the above hypothesis, facts and figures in table 4.1.15, 4.1.16, 4.1.17,
4.1.18, 4.1.19 and 4.1.20 were used. In table 4.1.15, out of 287 respondents used for the study,
129 representing about 44.9% and 83 representing 28.9% of the sample supported the claim that lack of autonomy mitigates the effective and efficient delivery of social services by Abia State
Local Governments in the period (2007-2014). In table 4.1.16, 99 (34.5%) respondents and 51
(17.8%) respondents supported the claim that inadequate financing hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014. In table 4.1.17,
112 respondents representing 39.0% and 98 (34.1%) concurred that corruption hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014. In table 4.1.18, majority of the respondents representing 67(23.3%) and 121 (42.2%) agreed to the view that lack of political will and commitment hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014. In table 4.1.19, majority of the respondents representing 136 (47.4%) and 87 (30.3%) did not support the claim that 99 accountability and transparency hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014 but lack of accountability and transparency. In table 4.1.20, 128 representing about 44.6% and 91 (31.7%) respondents supported the claim that lack of qualified personnel hindered the effective and efficient provision of social services by the local government from 2007-2014.
In support of the view held by the majority of the respondents above, Agba, Akwara and
Idu (2013:455) contends as follows “local governments as third tier government are created to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots and for transformation of lives at the rural level. One of the ways of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots is through the delivery of service in a satisfactory, timely, effective and adequate manner”. In all countries of the world, social service delivery is recognized as the cornerstone of any structure for sustainable development of any nation. It is a fulcrum around which the quick development of economic, political, sociological and human resources of any country revolves. Unfortunately, a cursory look at the pattern of social service delivery at the local government level in Nigeria and particularly in Abia State reveals abysmally low levels. This is attributed to many factors of which Ibietan and Ndukwe (2014: 753) views as “the lack of autonomy and financial power to attract and retain qualified personnel to formulate and fully implement programmes that are beneficial to the communities they govern. This lack of autonomy is partly attributed to constant interference and impediments on the affairs of the local governments by the state governments”.
There have been instances where state governors unconstitutionally dissolve the entire elected council’s officers without proper recourse and due process (Eboh and Diejomaoh, 2010:21). An example of this impunity is the abrupt sack of the Transition Committee Chairmen of the 17
Local Government councils of Abia State by the former Governor, Theodore Orji on Monday,
March 5, 2012 over the humiliation he suffered at the lying in state of the late Biafra warlord, 100
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Aba on Feb. 28 (Premium Times, 2012). The sacked
Transition Committee Chairmen of the 17 Local Government councils had only been sworn in on
December, 2011. The various developmental projects and programmes which they have initiated and are under construction became abandoned. Nwaigwe (2013) is of the view that it is absolutely impracticable for the local government councils in Abia State to function effectively with caretaker committee chairmen whose appointments and detects are solely determined and decided by the governor. In addition to the above exposition, Akhape, Fatile and Igbokwe-Ibeto
(2012:658) states as follows “Practically, and in true sense, local government in Nigeria lacks autonomous financial power”. According to Eze (2012), “Abia State received in 2011 a total gross allocation of 4,214,342,462.96 naira (that is more than 4.2 billion naira) from the federal government. Of this amount, (more than 450 million naira) came from the 13% share of derivation as an oil producing state”. Okechukwu (2012) is of the view that the seventeen local government areas in Abia State spent the sum of twenty-five billion six hundred and thirty nine thousand seven hundred and sixty naira only (#25,639, 979, 760) for the service of the councils for the year ending 31st December, 2012. Despite the huge financial outlay, the report card of social service delivery in the state still begs for improvement. This is because the finances accruing to the local government and the diversion of this limited finance for private interest makes it difficult, if not impossible for the local government to run its affairs. The state government controls the finances of the local government through working with appointed chairmen rather than elected chairmen. Also, it has become axiomatic that Nigerian local governments are mainly dependent on federal and state government allocations and shows lackadaisical attitude towards generating revenues internally. Over-dependency on the air of arrogance displayed by the state government in allocating money to the local government is detrimental to development. This over-dependency makes them susceptible to be controlled 101 whimsically and capriciously. For instance, Olamilekan (2006:13) was not comfortable with such interruptions by other levels of government. He noted that the control of the revenue accruing to local governments by both federal and state governments was not indicative of a genuine desire to strengthen the local governments or meet the high expectations of the people. It is known that these tiers of government actually fund the local government system in Nigeria, but regrettably, they often turn round to collect a chunk of the allocations stipulated for the provision of rural needs. Abia State local governments will face fewer barriers to social service delivery if they channel their energy into developing revenue internally. Studies have also shown that local governments are prone to corruption. Abubakar (2010: 25) is of the view that “local governments in Nigeria are often seen as nurturing grounds for barefaced corruption and near absence of transparency and accountability in the conduct of its governance”. In the view of
Oviasuyi et al (2010:84), “As in all levels and institutions of government in Nigeria, corruption is predominantly wide spread, undiluted and unambiguous in the local government. It is a statement of fact that in the local government system, corruption has become all pervading, unabashed, uncontrolled and persistent”. In lending credence to the above fact, Nnamani,
Anikwe and Obinna (2013: 24) rightly assert that, indeed, corruption and abuse of office by local government administrators have assumed a different dimension. It is perpetrated by both bureaucrats and political office-holders. These categories of local government administrators are neck deep in inflating contracts, outright embezzlement of council funds, taking kickback on contracts; and non-execution of contracts among other corrupt practices. The inability of local governments to provide quality services as demanded by the people has been linked to corruption virus among local governments’ officials. There are various reports over embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by Abia State local government officials. Notable among them is the report of the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Emma 102
Nwabuko in 2013, who affirmed that Abia State local governments are neck deep in escalation of contracts, collecting kick-backs on projects, diversion of public funds through ghost workers which was recorded to be 1,500 among others.
Another impediment to effective and efficient social service delivery in Abia State local governments is the use of unqualified and unprofessional staff by the local government. The patronage system in the local government has led to the sacrifice of meritocracy on the altar of mediocrity. It has been established in Table 4.1.5.1 that there are more appointments than election of Abia State local government officials. Appointment and recruitment of local government officials is based on their contributions to the people in power. State control of the recruitment process of the local government through Abia State Local Government Civil Service
Commission (ASLGCSC) is prone to abuse. This leads to recruitment of half-baked staff in the local government who has nothing to contribute in providing services to the people. Also, lack of finance led to the recruitment of unqualified employees, without the requisite skill and knowledge to execute social service projects. The result is a deplorable and sickening state of social service provided in Abia State local governments. It is no wonder that social service delivery in Abia State has become a mere gimmick because the employees who play a major role in ensuring that social services are delivered effectively and efficiently are not qualified and trained to carry out their functions.
In other to enhance social service delivery as a means and a goal for sustainable development, there must be a change in the 21st century and this calls for minimizing the aforementioned barriers impeding the local governments in Abia State.
Judging from the above views from both the respondents and that obtained from various literature, the researcher believes that the above hypothesis is correct and is therefore accepted.
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4.3 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
(1) There is less service delivery when local government chairmen are appointed. This is connected to the fact that the appointed political officials usually owe allegiance to the people that put them in power rather than effective representation of the people’s interests.
(2) The local government chairmen in Abia State have not done well in social service delivery particularly in water and road from 2007-2014. These are connected to the facts that there were more appointments of local government chairmen in Abia State during the period of study and it has been established that there is less service delivery when local government chairmen are appointed.
(3) Other bodies that complemented the efforts of Abia State local government in social service delivery include:
i. Federal and State public agencies, ii. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) iii. Local Communities iv. Philanthropists
(4) The various challenges limiting the local government from effective and efficient social service delivery in Abia State includes the following;
(i) Lack of autonomy/excessive interference of the federal and state government in Abia State local government affairs;
(ii) Inadequate financing to carry out development activities and effectively manage the local government in realizing its objectives;
(iii) The dearth of political will and commitment to effectively implement policy/programme initiated for rural development;
(iv) Lack of qualified personnel; 104
(v) High incidence of corruption in the local government and
(vi) Lack of accountability and transparency.
Other findings in this study include;
1. The local governments adopt a top-down approach in social service delivery and hence,
relegate the benefits of community participation in rural development and sustainability
to the background.
2. The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria did not make adequate
provisions for the federal government to control the excesses of the state government in
local government affairs.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 SUMMARY
It is no longer news that the local government constitutes the most critical level of government and remains the best fulcrum for providing social services at the grassroots.
However, this level of government is faced with perennial problems and difficulties in Nigeria.
Consequently, various reforms and empowerment put in place by the 1979/1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria to ensure the maximization of their potentials has yielded little result, relegating the idea of rural and national development drive to the background. The general performance of local government administration in Nigeria is said to be far from expectation and it is particularly disheartening between 2007-2014 in Abia State local government where the local roads constitutes a death trap to users, lack of accessibility to good drinking water is inherent in rural communities, patchy supply of electricity remains the order of the day, education facilities are in short supply, health centers are mere cosmetic decorations and where the agricultural sector remains unproductive owing to lack of support. This breeds distrust among the rural dwellers on the essence of the local government as an agent of rural development. On this note, Ibrahim (2014) maintains that, “To some scholars and observers, the system is a symbol of confusion, mediocrity, inefficiency and waste such that many have called for scrapping of the system entirely”.
This is a mystery which the study aimed at unraveling by evaluating the social services provided by the local governments in Abia State between 2007-2014. The problem of the study focuses on the performance of Abia State local governments on social service delivery. The researcher therefore, sought to ascertain whether the local government has been able to effectively and efficiently provide services and works that would satisfy the basis of live at the 106 grassroots and by implications bring about rural development among the rural dwellers of
Abia State.
On the whole, the findings of the research proved that the local government system in
Nigeria and Abia State in particular, using their positions as the closest level of government to the people have failed to meet the desire to maximize rural and grassroots development through social service delivery. The failure according to the research is due largely to appointment of local government chairmen which results to less service delivery owing to their allegiance to the people who appointed them rather than commitment to the people, excessive interference of the federal and state government in local government affairs, top-down policy approach, lack of financial and qualified personnel, corruption through bribery, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds among others. However, the implications of poor performance of Abia State local governments on social service delivery is that underdevelopment will continue to thrive in the rural areas of the State. It is on this note that the researcher put forward several solutions to minimize the problems encouraging underperformance of the local governments in Abia State on service delivery. These solutions includes the election of local government chairmen rather than appointment to encourage the political leaders commitments to the needs of the people, sourcing for alternative sources of revenue apart from federal and state allocations, and involvement of the people in projects and programmes concerning them to avoid negligence and decay among others. These recommendations are further discussed below.
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Since it has been reflected that service delivery is less when local government chairmen are appointed, the study recommends that local government chairmen should be duly elected to ensure adequate representation of the people’s interest in social service delivery. This is to discourage the impudent act of using Transition Committee Chairmen/appointed Chairmen in 107 controlling the local governments finances and otherwise. It is a fact that elected local government chairmen, who have the people’s mandate, are more willing and committed to transform the lives of the people by turning ideas into actions, visions into missions and social needs and problems into reality. Furthermore, being that they are elected by the people and are constantly under the public’s eye, they are more accountable, transparent, less prone to corruption, abuse of power and abides by due process.
There is need to provide an enabling environment for the local governments to perform their basic function of social service delivery effectively and efficiently. The federal and state government should minimize their stronghold on the local government finances, recruitment and internal affairs in other to encourage them to maximize their potentials in social services delivery. For instance, Abia State local government chairmen in 2012 were appointed and had no autonomous financial power to provide for the people. They were puppets and stooges to the state governor whom they paid allegiance to. Another area where the local government lacks autonomy is recruitment. Recruitment of Abia State local government employees is done by
Abia State Local Government Civil Service Commission (ASLGCSC) which is controlled by
State. It has become axiomatic that the State government abuses this authority at the expense of the local government in representing the people’s interest. This abuse breeds unqualified staff at the local governments. To avoid a repeat of this ugly experience in Nigerian local governments, firstly, the local government should explore other sources of generating revenue, rather than being dependent on the federal and state allocations and their dictates. For instance, in 2004, following the creation of more local governments in Lagos State, the then president of Nigeria,
Olusegun Obasanjo refused to acknowledge them and cut off federal allocations to them for many years. Yet, they were able to generate revenue internally and perform their functions without being subjected to the federal governments’ whims. This brave action of independence 108 should be emulated by Nigerian local governments in other to reinforce their reason of existence. This will also encourage their financial independence and freedom from the whims and caprices of the providers of finance; secondly, the federal government should create an enabling environment for the local governments to thrive for maximum output through reforming the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria concerning the local government and state government in other to curtail the excess powers bestowed on the state governments in controlling local governments in issues like finance, recruitment and politics.
It was noted that although the local communities contributes to social service delivery, they show minimal support to the local government because of the top-down approach of the local governments in social service delivery. The implication of the above in Abia State is the abandonment and lack of maintenance of social services provided leading to decay. An example is the borehole provided inside Bende local government council in 2012. When the borehole stopped functioning, the local communities made no effort to repair it. They were angry because the construction of the borehole inside the local government council made no improvement to their water needs. Since they didn’t benefit from the borehole, they rejected and made no efforts towards rehabilitation and maintenance of the borehole which has been left to rotten till date. To avoid this mishap, the local governments should ensure that social services delivered are a reflection of the social needs and problem of the people. This will ensure the continuous support and involvement of the local communities in the local government’s projects or programmes in other to ensure their sustainability. Without sustainability, social service becomes a haphazard affair.
Finally, it is recommended that Nigerian local governments should be further reformed.
What we now have as local governments is a mockery of the original idea of local governments.
Local governments, like other tiers of governments have their own share of challenges. If they 109 cannot manage these problems, to effectively and efficiently perform their functions as the government closer to the grassroots, then their existence remains a farce which needs to be corrected. In support of this, Ibrahim (2014) maintains that, “To some scholars and observers, the system is a symbol of confusion, mediocrity, inefficiency and waste such that many have called for scrapping of the system entirely”. Despite their poor performance in social service delivery, I still believe that the local government is the best agent for rural development at the grassroots.
For instance, when a rural community lacks drinking water, they don’t go to the federal government which is far away, or the state government but they run to the local government which is closer to them for help. It is on this note that the federal and state government should stop acting as a hindrance but a catalyst for the local government to perform their functions in the most effective and efficient manner. Hence, the local governments should step up their game in service delivery in other to gain support as a tier of government and agent of development.
5.3 CONCLUSION
The impact of development in Nigeria and today’s global world cannot be over- emphasized. Social services delivery has become a tool of development by the government at all tiers, private businesses, NGOs among others. Notwithstanding the efforts of the afore- mentioned, there seem to be severe deprivation of social services delivery at the local government in Nigeria and particularly in Abia State. The local governments in Abia State have been suffocated by the excessive control of the state government, corruption, dearth of finance and qualified personnel among other limitations. The local governments are no longer given the opportunity to truly serve as a coordinate and effective level of government for bringing rural development at the local level. Hence, one of the four cardinal objectives of the 1976 local government reforms in Nigeria which is the delivery of social services at the grassroots is relegated to the background. Notwithstanding, the local governments in Nigeria owing to their 110 affinity to the grassroots still remains the best agent for rural development and hence, need to step up their game in the delivery of social services to the people.
The researcher strongly believes that the findings and recommendations made at the conclusion of this study, if well put into consideration will help improve social services delivery by the local governments in Nigeria.
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Woko (2015). “100 Days in Office: A Tour of Governor OkezieIkpeazu's Efforts InAbiaState”. Retrieved from http://www.nairaland.comon 17/02/2015
SEMINARS AND CONFERENCE PAPERS
Adejumobi, S (1996). "Structural Adjustment, Privatisation Policy and Infrastructural Services in Africa; With Examples from Nigeria and Ghana," A Research Report Submitted to the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Dakar, Senegal on the Project 'Africa Perspectives on the Structural Adjustment Programme.'
Adeyemo, D. (2010). Public-Private Partnership and Strategic Management at the Local Government. Paper Presented at the National Workshop on Structure and Functions of Nigerian Local Government for Efficient Service Delivery at the Grassroots Level by the National Forum of Chairmen of Local Government Service Commission of Nigeria. 13 – 15 March.
Ezeani, E. O (2012). “Delivering the Goods: Repositioning Local Governments in Nigeria to Achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)”.An Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Delivered on April, 26. 118
Governance Share Fair South East States (2012). “Community and Social Development Reform”. A Conference at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu. 24-25 May. www.nggovernorsforum.org
Khemani, S. (2001) “Fiscal Federalism and Service Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of States and Local Governments”. Paper Prepared for the Nigerian PER Steering Committee. July 24.
UNPUBLISHEDWORKS
Ibrahim, Z. (2014). Assessment of the impact of Local Government on Rural Development in Soba and Zaria Local Government Areas Kaduna State (2006-2011). An Unpublished Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Schools, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Igbokwe-Ibeto, C.J (2003). The Effectiveness of Local Government in Rural Development in Nigeria: A Study of NgorOkpala L.G.A of Imo State. An Unpublished (B.PA) Project Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma, Edo State.
Iteogu, F. (2011). “Evaluation of Social Services Delivery at the Local Government Level inAbia State: A Case Study of Umuahia North Local Government”. An Unpublished Thesis in the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University Of Nigeria, Nsukka
Karfle, S. K. & Karke, K. (2003).Towards Ideal Local Government: Strengthening Participatory Development. Unpublished Memoir. 119
APPENDIX
School of Post Graduate Studies, Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 17th December, 2015.
Dear Respondent,
QUESTIONNAIRE
I am a postgraduate student of the above institution currently conducting a research on the topic: EVALUATION OF SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA (2007-2014).
I wish to solicit for your kind assistance in filling the questionnaire to enable me carry out the research successfully. Your responses will be used purely for academic purpose and all information granted will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Thanks immensely for your anticipated co-operation.
OBASI, CHINENYE J. (Researcher)
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SECTION A: Background Data
Below is a list of items, for each, tick good (√) in any options you consider appropriate. 1. Gender (a) Male ( ) (b) Female ( ) 2. Employment Category (a) Civil/Public Servant ( ) (b) Private Sector Employee ( ) (c) Self- Employed ( ) (d) Student ( ) (e) Retired ( ) (f) Unemployed ( ) (g) Others (please specify)______3. Location (a) Bende ( ) (b) Umuahia North (c) Aba North ( ) SECTION B SA = Strongly Agree, A= Agree, D = Disagree, SD = Strongly Disagree Research Question one: How did elected and appointed Local Government officials make contributions towards social service delivery in Abia State Local Governments from 2007-2014? S/N Strongly Agree Undecided Strongly Disagree Agree (A) (U)) Disagree (D) (SA) (SD) 4 During the period under study, service delivery is more when local government chairmen are elected. 5 During the period under study, service delivery is more when local government chairmen are appointed. 6 The local government chairmen have done well in the provision of quality water supply from 2007-2014. 7 The local government chairmen have done well in the provision of good road networks from 2007-2014. 8 During the period under study, the service delivery of water and roads received more attention in terms of funding. 9 Service delivery of water and roads led to empowerment of the rural people in Abia state from 2007-2014.
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Research Question Two: What other bodies complemented the efforts of Abia State Local Governments towards social services delivery from 2007-2014?
10 The local government is the sole provider of social services at the local level from 2007-2014 11 The federal and state public agencies have played a key role in social service delivery at the local level during the period under study. 12 The local communities complemented the local government efforts in social services delivery from 2007-2014 13 NGOs aided the local governments in social service delivery from 2007- 2014. 14 During the period under study, philanthropists have aided the local governments in social service delivery.
Research Question Three: What are the challenges to effective and efficient social service delivery by Abia State Local Governments in the period (2007-2014)? 15 Excessive interference of federal and state governments/ lack of autonomy 16 Inadequate financing
17 Corruption
18 Lack of political will and commitment
19 Accountability and Transparency
20 Lack of qualified personnel