University of Nigeria Research Publications

OKAFOR, Edith Echezonachukwu Author PG/MPA/98/25229 Local Government as an Agent for Rural Development: A Case Study of Orumba

Title South Local Government Area in Anambra State

Social Science Faculty

Public Administration Department

December, 2000 Date

Signature

TITLE PAGE

k LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AGENT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

A CASE STUDY OF ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT 9 AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE"

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SUB-DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA. NSUKKA.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

OKAFOR EDITH ECHEZONACHUKWU REG NO. PGlMPAl98125229

SUB- DEPARTMENT OF PUPLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

DECEMBER, 2000. CERTIFICATION

I certify that this study was carried out by Okafor, Edith

~chezonachukwuin the Sub- Department of public Administration and Local Government, university of Nigeria, Nsukka

_-- ___...---- L...... - -. 1--=..... Sign- ,;'1.. -. ....:. .... ,/ Sign:...... / ,/" DR. F. C. OKOLl DR. BC NWANKWO

Sub-Department of Public Coordinator

Administration & Local Govt. PAL G

University of Nigeria

Nsukka

Date:...... Date:.

Sign:......

External Exarpiner

Date.. DEDICATION

Dedication to Almighty God and to my beloved mother, Mrs.

Elinah M. Okafor ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

\

I wish to express my most gratitude to Almighty God for granting me the grace and strength to bring this programme to a

successful end.

l am also indebted to a number of persons who contributed

in one way or the other PO the successful completion of this

work.

The first among them is my project supervisor, Dr F. C.

Okoli whose constructive criticisms, encouragement and

professional guidance made the successful completion of this

study possible.

I am also indebted also to my beloved mother Mrs Elinah M.

Okafor, My brother Mr Patrick and Samuel Nnaekulie, my Sisters,

Mrs Felicia I Asiegbu and Mrs Florence Okoli and their children~~r

Mr Calistus Nwosu for their moral and emotional support.

My Thanks also go to all my friends and colleagues

,especially Ben Onwudinjo, George Odo and lfeanyi Eke for their

wonderful motivation

Okafor Edith. E

U.N.N. ABSTRACT

This study examined the extent of local Government participation in rural development and identified the problems that militated against its realization in Orumba south local Government Area.

These include:

1. Lack of Sufficient Fund.

2. Lack of sufficient avenue to raise Fund internally

3. Incompetent local government officials

4. Lack of motivation of staff

5. Mismanagement, etc.

Some recommendations, which when adopted would enhance the performance of Orumba south Local Government in rural development were made. These include:

(1) That the local Government share of the federation account

be increased.

(2i That the local Government share of the state generated

revenue be remitted to the local government. (3) That the condition of service of local government employees

showed be improved

(4) That provision should be made for in -service training for the

staff of the local Government.

(5) That provision should be made in such a way that all

deserving Local Government staff should enjoy at least

once.

(6) That attendance of conference, seminars and workshops be

made a regular feature of local Government Administration

for each staff.

(7) That health centres should be provided with qualified

medical personnel's and enough drugs.

(8) That the local Government should provide farmers with

fertilizer at subsidized prices PREFACE

The subject of this research is "local government as an

Agent for rural development: A case study of Orumba south

Local Government Area" .

This study tries to find out how far the local government has gone in the provisions and advancement of education, promotion of agriculture, adequate health service, provision of socials welfare service, development of market etc.

The period of the ' study tbough short, enabled me to organize and analyse valuable data from official records, files and documents, which exposed me to the local actual accomplishment and failure of the local Government in rural development and acquainted me with the rural development role of local governments.

This research report is presented in five chapters. Chapter one covers the Background of problem, statement of problem, objectives of study.

b

vii Chapter two is development to review of literature,

Hypotheses, operationalization of key concepts in the hypotheses, methodology, method of data collection and analysis.

The 'thErd chapter is "Results and finding" Chapter four deals with the implications of Results and findings, while the last

(Chapter five) summarizes the research, presents a summary the findings, concluded the research and made some recommendations TABLE OF CONTENTS .- PAGE

Titles page i .. Certification I I Dedication iii A~knowledgemc~t iv Abstract v Preface vii Table of contents ix

CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study 1 .2. Statement of Problem 1.3. Objective of the Study 1.4. Significance of the Study 1.5. Scope and Limitation of the Study 1.5.1 Scope of the Study 1.5.2 Limitation of the Study

CHAPTER TWO 2.0 Research Procedure 2.1 . Literature Review 2.1.1 The Concept of Local Government 2.1 .2 Why Establish Local Government 2.2. Hypotheses 2.3. Operationalization of key concepts in Hypotheses 2.4. Methodology 2.4. I Method of Data Collection 2.4.2 Population / Sample Used 2.4.3 Method of Data Analysis 2.4.4 Analysis of Data

CHAPTER THREE 3.0 Results and Findings

CHAPTER FOUR 4.0. Implications of the Results and Findings 61

CHAPTER FIVE 5.0. Summary, Recommendations and Conclusions 66

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX CHAPTER ONE

1 .O. INTRODUCTION

The work aims at making an in-depth analysis of how

Orumba south local Government area had been able to promote and implore the living condition of the rural people within its locality with the limited resources at its disposal.

However, local Government in Nigeria is an organization established by statute. It exists to fill the gap, which the national government is too remote to fill. Local Government bring the national government closer to the people and make its (National

Government's) impact felt in all the nooks and crannies of the society (Okoli F. C., 1998).

According to Onwuchekwa C. 1 (1993) an organization is a social unit deliberately constructed and reconstructed to seek a specific goal. A goal, on the other hand, is an image of a further state'which may be fully or partially achieved but the degree to which the goal is pursued justifies the existence or otherwise of organisation. These achievements cannot be made without complete reference to local government statutory powers. 1 .I BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

Local Government is a form of Local administration under which communibh and towns are organised to maintain law and order, provide some limited range of social service and public amenities and encourage co-operation and participation of the inhabitants in joint endeavour toward the improvement of their condition of living.

It is a common knowledge however, that the majority of

Nigerians live in the rural areas of the country. As a matter of fact, about 80 percent of Nigeria population live in the rural areas.

The few Urban develops (20 percent) engage in different formal and informal sector activities. If appeared that the food and raw material areas from communities to the urban centres. Thus the rural areas play a live wire role in the functioning of the urban rural system.

lnspite of these large rural populations, it will appear that successive governments since independence have not devoted sufficient and befitting resources to the development of the rural areas. The result of this obvious neglect is that the rural inhabitants have been compelled to suffer a lot of deprivations such as.

Poor health due to lack of modern health care facilities such

as primary health care centres, maternity's and

dispensaries.

Malnutrition, due to low diet and unbalances diet intake;

Poor housing and insanitary environment;

Low social status due to poverty arising from low income

usually below the poverty line;

Illiteracy;

Absence of good life due to lack of electricity, pipe-borne

water, communication poor transport and inaccessibility due

to non-existent motorable roads and lack of recreational

facilities; and total unemployment and absence of diversified

employment opportunities.

We noted earlier that development in Nigeria has two

dimensions:undeveloped rural areas and relatively developed urban

area's or what is sometimes referred to as spatial relativity. The

.other dimension is the impoverished rural inhabitants as against the relatively affluent urban settlers or what is called individual relativity.

As President Julius Nyerere once put it: under present economic political and social systems, the world's people are divided into two groups: those without political power followed in the same way so that publicly produced wealth also benefited the wealth more than the poor, and accrued to the towns rather than the rural areas.

The above quotation summarizes the problems of rural development in Nigeria which appear to be deeply rooted in the country political industry. For a very long time rural development efforts by the government have been geared to ward development of agricultural sector. This was so because the policy makers had for a long time held the erroneous view that agricultural development was synonymous with rural development. While we hold the view that agricultural development is a subset of rural development but it only makers up a very low percentage of rural development. It must be noted rural development transcends agrtcultural development to all intents and purposes. Today, one of the major problems facing the leaders of

African counties with special reference to Nigeria, has been how to increase the standard of living and general well-being of their people especially the rural poor. Consequently, African counties have embraced the need for promoting rural development in the various National Development plants. Infact, no government that is worth its salt can afford to turn a deaf ear towards the development of the rural masses.

However, the population under the study is Orumba south local Government area of' Anambra state comprising fifteen autonomous communities the Local Government was created in

1991 with its headquarter at Umunze . It is now Nine years since the local Government was created and yet many communities in the area have no electricity, market, good road , pipe born water health centres with qualified medical personnel and enough drugs, etc. Due to the high expectations of the people on the local government for general improvement of their social and public service , there is need to undertake this work in order to bring out problems militating against rural development to guard against mistakes of the old local government. 1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The iocal government, which is the creation of the central

government, IS aimed at providing certain basic functions to the

rural dwellers resident within its jurisdiction. In the forward to the

guideline for local government reforms of 1976, it was stated

thus.

The reforms would mean nothing if they did not include the

certainty that as fmnow, every stratum would benefit ...

through the availability of amenities, indeed necessities such as

electricity, adequate water supply, improved transportation, health

facilities and so on.

Functionally, various Local Government in Nigeria have

faced the critical problem of raising the standard of living of the

rural the communities. However, the 1976 local government

reforms brought a uniform system of local government throughout

the country and certain functions were assigned to local

government.

In view of the above, this research will then investigate and

, evaluate the role of local government as an Agent for rural development with particular reference to Orumba south local

Government in Anambra State.

The problem that will be studied in this work therefore is to explore if there is evidence that Orumba south local government may the role of agent for rural development and investigate the variables which encourage or constraint them to so .

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This study aims at the followings

1 To find out how far Orumba south Local Government

has participated in or contributed to community or

rural development within its areas.

2 To under take an empirical research on Orumba south

Local Government area and find out. whether the

actions of the local Government which include the

planning and implementation of projects for

communities as desired by 1976 Local Government

reforms.

3 lnvestigation of the problems or factors that militate 4, against the local government from playing its role as

the agent for rural development.

1.4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this research is for it to th~w'rmore

light on the problem facing Orumba south Local Government Area.

The out-come will hopefully, help to recommend solutions to those problems. It is also expected that the result will be useful to

policy makers in this country. The researcher intends to stimulate the student of public administration in particular and other

students in general, to desire and discover what their various

Local Governments have accomplished in the area of rural

development.

It is also intended to be beneficial to the residents and

indigenes of Orumba south local Government area who are the

taught group of the rural development activities of the local

government, but who may be ignorant of the problems facing the

local government.

b 1.5. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1.5.1 SCOPE

The scope covered by the project work is the performance

of Orumba south Local Government area in the area of providing

health service welfare service to the local populace, promotion

and advancement of education, development of roads, market,

etc. The scope will also consider if the local Government has

performed creditably in those provisions and if not what factors

have been responsible for its inability to provide these services

assigned to it by the constitutions, since it forms the third tier of

Nigeria Government system.

1.5.2 LIMITATION

This project work is solely limited to the performance of

Orumba south Local Government of Anambra State created 1991

and not to any other government.

It is as well expected to deal specifically with what the

Loc'al Government has achieved in the period under review, the

, problem the then for the researcher to make recommendations. However, a study like this is bound to have one type of

limitation or the other. The constraints that are inherent in any

study ( and this project is no exception) are finance, attitude of

the respondents time, etc.

Finance: lack of finance is the utmost deferent to every

successful research. The extent to which any research is to be

carried out is determined by the financial capability of the

\ researcher. This project work conceded with the time of serious

fuel crisis and transport fare to Umunze, the head quarters of the

Orumba south Local Government Area, was very high.

In view of the above problems, it was not easy for the

research to collect enough data for this work. Attitude of some

respondents, this was also a problem, Although majority of the

staff responded but some were non-challant about research

studies on the ground that, it is just a waste of time. Some were

even' hostile and refused to co-operate either to be interviewed or

by returning this questionnaires, while some intentionally mis-

infbrmed the researcher. Some also the feared needed by the

. research would mean exposing the local Government Moreover, some respondents were biased in answering questions. CHAPTER TWO

RESEARCH PROCEDURE

2.1. LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Leaving is said to be a living phenomenon. It create the past

present future and identities problem follows its sources from the

past and finally comes out with an acceptable solution to the said

problem of human development. Therefore a sound knowledge of

this critical objective, work of experts and authorities in the field

will be reviewed.

Selitiz, eta1 (1976) acknowledge thkabove view when he

argued that, one of the simplest ways of economizing effort in an

inquiry is to review and build up work already done by another.

'Osuala E. C. (1982) has this to say about the review of

related literature, the review of literature serves two purpose in

the *research report.

To set this theoretical base for research. , I . 2. To set the, current research into perspective, to show the state of the ant.

2.7.1 THE CONCEP~OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

in attempting to enhance our understanding of the fundamental concern of this work, it is important to elucidate the concept of local government. Many known scholars here devoted th&r intellectual capacities towards defining the term "local government" according to the united Nations (U.N) office for public Administration, loca'l Government has been defined as a political subdivision of a nation or (in a federal system) state, which is constituted by law and has substantial control of the local affairs including the power to impose taxes and to exacte labour for the prescribed purpose for the governing body of such an entity selected or otherwise locally selected.

This definition is supported by Whalen when he states that

h% Each unit of local government the following characteristics: a given territory and population, an institutional structure for

b legislature, executive and administrative purposes, a separate legal identify, a range of power and functions authorised by delegation from the appropriate central or intermediate legislature, and lastly, within the ambit of such delegation, autonomy, subject always at least in Anglo- America traditions, to the limitations of common law such as the test of reasonableness ... Aghayere, V. (1979).

In the same vein, local government has also been defined as the: Government at the local level: established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas and to initiate and direct the provision of service and to determine and implement project so as to complement and implement projects so as to complement the activities of the state and federal Government in their areas and to ensure that local Government initiates and response to local needs and conditions are maximized.

Put together, Akindele sees local government as the subordinate administrative system by means of which the affairs of a particular division and subdivision of a country or a state are managed. This implies that local government involves determining and implementing resources within restricted area inside the state.

The relevance, meaning, importance and point of contact within the hie'rarchical tracheotomy of federalism in Nigeria is depicted in the model shown below. FIGURE: 2:l

/ States \ / (Intermediate level) \

Local Government / (Lowest level \

Source: Aghayere (1997) p.36

This model shows that governmental structure is pyramidal.

From this conceptual frame work, we will notice that local government is at the bottom of the pyramid. At the pyramid is the national government which often referred to as central government. It is always one regardless of the nature and size of the political system. At the middle is the state. The number and size vary from country to country. ' in Nigeria, there are 36. At the bottom bearing the burden of the

higher governments, is the local government. As of now, there are

774 local governments in Nigeria.

2.1.2 WHY ESTABLISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT?

Over the years there has not been a general consensus as to

the precise role local government should play. This singular factor

makes the problem regarding the objectives of the local

government most important.

Thus, in the Nigeria polity, local institutions are primarily

established to achieve three broad objectives:

1. To get the citizens involved in this management of their

affairs;

2. To ensure that resources are effectively mobilized; and

3. To meet the needs of citizens as quickly as possible.

'.The first objectives is to ensure that the local government

function to bring democracy to the local citizen, secondly, it

serves as a vehicle for political participation of the local citizens as

well as to educate and socialize them political. The second objective is to arouse in the citizens the zeal or willingness to contribute financially, materially and morally to the management of local affairs And to mobilize the citizens to participate on voluntary basis in community developments and to participate in

committees engaged in self help project. The third and 3 .A final objective is to ensure that local governments exist to provide services to the people and that these services . . . .

measure up to national standard and are provided in the least restrictive environment This idea is informed by the objective consideration of the fact that a local government is close to people and because of this closeness, it can render some service more effectively and efficiently than the higher levels of government.

To support this point , field man and Goldrick outlined three main point why local government are gives the responsibilities of

providing some basic essential social service. These include the following:

1. People in local community know their peculiarities and are

therefore in a better position to understand the needs of the

local community. 2. It is possible that local citizens could have superior capacity

to conduct their local affairs.

3. Because of the size of the country as well as most of the

state.

Both in population and land mass, there is often a limit to the span of public activities which the central or state government can efficiently and effectively carry out.

We make haste to say that, of the broad objectives of local government, more emphasis is placed on the service delivery function than the two other functions. The reason for this is that to the ordinary person, it is through the service function that he become aware of the existence of local Government. When there is no water, no drugs in the local dispersions when roads are bad, when there are no markets, no health centres, and when refuse is littered all around at place. Etc, the ordinary citizen blames it on the . local government. It follows therefore that the local government affect every citizen through the service function

Traditionally, local government have been associated with the provision of basic social service and basic social infrastructures. These social services includes ( but are not limited to) education, health, housing environments! sanitation and other welfare services. In Nigeria, both the Federal and state government are involved to some extent, in the provision of some of these services but the local government assumes greater responsibilities in the provision of these services.

One of the reason why the government at every level is committed to the provisim of social service as to improve the quality of life of her people. This has been reflected in most of the development plans that have been implemented so far in Nigeria.

So far, four National Development plans have been executed since

Nigeria became a sovereign state - the first plan, (1962-1 968) the second plan (1970-1974) the third (1975-1980) the fourth plan (1981 -1 985) and the fifth development Plan (1986 - 1990), is the current plan. Some Rolling plans have however, been introduced since 1990.

One of the major elements of there plan is the emphasis placed on the provision of basic social services. For example, the second National Development plan (1970-1 974) clearly expressed the main philosophical principles that showed form the basis for Nigeria's social revolution. These principle are democracy, equilateralianism or equai rights, economic self-reliance and sufficient, opportunity for all citizens. The Third national

Development plan (1975-1 980) followed this up, by expressing the desire to establish effective local government that can provide major social service at the local level.

The priority accorded social services in these plans is reflected in the budgetary allocation to the sector. Between 35 -

45 percent of the total expenditure is directed towards the various social services. This government at every level is not unaware of the crucial roles social services play in the process of socio- economic development of the country hence a high level of

priority is attached to social services sector in these National

Development plans. Education, for example is important for the development of the individual well-being in particular and the economic development of the country in general. Health has been

known to be central to a country well being as well as the

individual welfare. There and other social services have strong

infhence on people's earning capacity and are fundamental to

people ability to enjoy and appreciate all other aspects of life. Consequently, no one should be deprived of accessibility to thele essential social services on the basis of lack of economic power or other reasons.

Another reason that is often advanced to justify government interventior? in the provision of social services is that if these services are left solely in the hands of business men or open market, a lot of people will not have access to them because of their economic status.

However, Dupe, B. 0. ( 1975) in his book "Nigerian neglects rural majority" presented' a new view point in looking at Nigeria rural sector Dupe observed with dismay, that Nigeria rural area are not oniy economically backward, but that the gap between them and urban sectors has been widening hrecent years. He contends that the perpetuation of colonial development policies by

Nigeria who took mantle of leadership from colonial administration makes it virtually impossible for rural people to benefit from the development efforts.

While agreeing with Dupe about the neglect of our rural areas; it is necessary to rural development and did not mention anything about the role local Government has to play i rural development,

William 5. K.5 (1973) said that rural sector as a whole has

lagged behind the rest of the economy. According to him, the low

price paid by urban buyers for farm produce has marked effect on

agricultural development which is the main stay of our rural areas.

He added that the heart of development in our country is the

question of how the economy of towns and the rural sector can

grow in harmony .

Ijer, M. 0. accused the successive Nigeria government of

being preoccupied with drumming into the ears and heads of the

rural dwellers the failures of previous regimes, rather than

developing the rural area.

He point out some rural development problems like lack of

coordinated rural development programmes manpower problem,

problem of infrastructure, problem of irrelevant rural education's.

ljere also suggested solutions or remedies to these problem which

include clear development, an integrated development programme,

prdvision of instructing relevance of rural education to peculiar

needs and aspiration of rural areas. ljere and Williams were seen to have limited their

contributions to rural development in Nigeria and did not mention the contribution the local government could make to achieve rural

Ajaegbu H. I. While summarizing his impression about rural

development in Nigeria said there are still largely incoherent,

uncoordinated efforts and programmes within individual

settlement, and they have raised various development planning

problems at regional and national levels. He said that there is now

need for better co-ordination of the government, community and

individual efforts based on achieving rural development.

Yahaya, A. D. (1979) noted that one of the objectives of

the 1976 Local Government reforms is rural development. He said

that rural development programmes as a conscious and well

articulated development programme is a relatively new

development strategy in Africa. Yahaya described the Nigerian

ruralv'sector as neglected, unattractive for habitation and

undeveloped. He, therefore, suggested a modification of the

relationship between the rural sector and urban centres so as to

reduce the continued exploitation of the rural areas by the urban sector. He attributed the neglect of the widely held belief that the attitude of rural inhabitants is antagonistic to "modern ideas". This belief he contends is based on ignorance of the fact that certain social values held by the rural inhabitant are capable of supporting a development policy, Comrn@&ng on the functions allocated to the local government reforms in Nigeria, Yahaya says that the functions tend to emphasized the regulatory role of local government rather than distributing function. He then concludes that local government as presently organized is basically an

extractive and regulatory structure and therefore not geared

towards rural development.

Also Okereke H. E. (1979) observed that a major problem of

Nigeria and indeed all development countries as rural

development. He believes that agriculture plays an essential role in

rural development and the service available to Agriculture provides

for most of the essential rural development efforts. He notes that

structural and social infrastructures - market centre, health

centres, town halls, churches Local industries schools

communication system (radio, television, telephone exchange etc)

can only lead to rural development if they provide the supporting service to agriculture development. He stresses that all the three

components of rural development human resources development,

economic and social infrastructure development, must interact

within a framework of integrated approach to produce the desired

benefits. Okereke concludes that rural development cannot take

adequate position without agriculture development, because

agriculture development is the only realistic base for rural

development.

Odenigwe G. A (1979) sees th& new local government

system in Nigeria as the ultimate agency for mobilizing citizen and

material resources for rural development. He stresses that within

the new system, local government are now in a better position to

mobilize, direct, and co-ordinate the effort of the people for

community development. He stated that adequate quality and

quantity of staff and enough financial resources would enhance

local government effectiveness in rural development. He suggest

steps to be takes for effective mobilization, different approaches

to be adopted and indicate the area where the new local

Government system provides opportunity for partnership between

, Government ministries and the communities. There is no doubt however that with adequate finance and high quality staff, local Government will be better placed to mobilized the citizens for community development. The present

Door performance of the local Government has been traced to absence of the above factors.

Uba U. B. (1984) writing on local Government as a third tier of Government contends that local government has performed below expectations in rural development inspite of the great optimism that ushered in the ' 1" 3 new local Government system in 1976. He attributes the poor performance of local Government in Nigeria to the country's development strategy which has been urban oriented . He laments that the colonial image of local government as an instrument of exploitation has continued to persist in Nigeria and this is manifested by the inability of local government to improve the standard of living of the people in the rural areas.

Uba concluded by saying that local government in Nigeria can be made effective not by changing the structures but by fundamental changes in the administrative, political, social and economic structure in the country aimed at emancipating people from their state of under-development.

Okoli F. C. (1980) on local Government and community development took an ideological stand as U.b Uba (1984). He traced the origin and development of community and local

government in Nigeria through this colonial government down to

the post - independent Nigeria, and hypothesized that the local

Government and community development were tools of colonial

penetration and exploitation of the rural areas.

Okoli contends that local Government continue to be

exploitative even now that Nigerians are at the helm of affairs, he

continued by saying that the situation is likely to continue until

local government and community development are viewed in the

broader perspective of the overall national objective of political

unity and national economic development.

However, it is necessary to state that the failure of most

local government is not enough reason to regard them as

instruments of exploitation

Eme A (1979) writing on local Government in Nigeria in his

paper "The theory of local Government" dismissed the assertion by Okoli F. C and Uba U.B. that local government is an instrument of exploitation. He traced the various experiments to restructure the local Government system in Nigeria, and laments that inspite of these restricting, they have been general dissatisfaction with the performance of local government and consequently, the search for new structure has continued. As to the assertion that the local Government is an instrument of exploitation, Awa examines the functions of local Government in Russia and china where local Government serves as economic planning unit and assent, that to club local ,government as instrument of exploitation of the rural people or the masses generally is to be the question.

However, he said that if the general policy is oriented towards exploitation of the people, the local Government cannot be otherwise.

Nzeribe, .0. (1991) states that the central problem of local government authorities is finance and that it effects our development in the social economic and cultural areas. According to her since more and more responsibilities are turned to local authorities the federal government should restructure the present pattern of financing local government so that they can effectively carryout their functions as stipulated by law

2.2. HYPOTHESES

The Researcher's task in this project work is to investigate whether Orumba south local Government Area plays its role as an agent for rural development or not. In doing this, it should be borne in mind that the ultimate measure of ~gpygovernment be if local, state or federal is to improve the living condition of its citizens. Therefore, the . researcher wishes to formulate the following hypotheses as a guide:

1. The performance of Orumba South local Government in the

field of rural development does not measure up to its

responsibilities.

2. Weak financial base limits the capacity of Orumba local

Government to meet its goal in rural development

3. ' Shortage of qualifies personnel and low morale among the

staff of Orumba South local government militate against the

realization of its rural development responsibilities. 2.3 OPERATIONALIZATION OF KEY CONCEPTS IN THE

HYPOTHESES

For the proper understanding of the message in the study, the key concepts in the hypotheses one to three in 2.2 are operationalized as shown below:

PERFORMANCE

By performancedemean the actions or achievement of the local government in relation to how successful it is.

FIELD OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural development in the context of this research work means the process of improving the standard of living of the rural dwellers through the government at the local level. This include provision of essential social service, infrastructures like good roads electricity, health centres, dispensaries pipe-borne water, educbtion, market, etc. DOES NOT MEASURE UP TO RESPONSIBILITY

By responsibi1ity;imean the duty for which the local government is responsible or the various responsibilities of the local

Government.

In Nigeria polity, local government are primarily established to achieve three wdobjectives:

1. To get the citizens involved in the management of their

affairs;

2. To ensure that resources are effectively mobilized, and

3. To meet the needs'of citizens as quickly as possible.

Aghayere V.0 (1997).

However, by saying that the performance of the Orumba

south Local Government in the field of rural development does not L measure up, its responsibilities vkmean that through the local

government under study has made some significant impact in

some areas but in other to be regarded as an agent for rural

development, the local government still have a lot to do. WEAK FINANCIAL BASE

By weak finance base in the context of this projects,&mean lack of effective and reliable sources of generating revenue internally like industries, markets, motor parts, etc. to supplement the external grants from state and Federal Government.

SHORTAGE OF PERSONNEL

By shortage of personnelbkmean lack of qualified personnel to effectively and efficiently handle the affairs of the local

Government.

hlem therefore talking about the quality of the local

Government staff and not the quantity. However, great percentage of the staff of the local government are the holder of first school leaving certificate, W.A.E.C/ GCE or Ordinary National diplomat NCE While few were holders of Degree/ HND certificate.

Moreover, there are a lot of square pegs in a round hole . By this I' mean, people are not fix in department according to their specialization's. Majority of the financial officers are people that read unrelated course in schools. LOW MORALE AMONG THE STAFF OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

.,: low morale as per this research work simply mean lack of proper motivation due to poor incentives such as delay in payment of salaries, allowances promotion at when due, etc.

2.4 METHODOLOGY

2.4.0 INTRODUCTION

The aim of the chapter is to discuss the various methods that have been employed'in this resources instigation. The sample used, method of collecting data, the various sources of data and method of treating and analyzing the data were also stated.

However, research project generally are conducted based as well as on information directly from people involved. Thus this project involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data and other information from secondary sources such as journals books, files' etc. 2.4.1 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

Date for this research study we collected from two major sources. These include primary and secondary sources.

PRIMARY SOURCES

The primary sources include date obtained through direct observation, oral interview and the administration of structural questionnaires.

However, interview was conducted largely as a supplementary to the questionnaires. Some of the staff of the local government were interviewed. Questionnaires have been the principal instrument of data collection it was used to measure whether or not the local government have played the role of

Agent for rural development.

SECONDARY SOURCES.

Theje consist of already assembled information related to the subject matter of this research . such information obtained from textbooks, magazines, Journals and news papers, seminars, technical papers, libraries office records in come departments of the local Government.

2.4.2. POPULATIONISAMPLE USED.

In order to carry out a successful research of this na*, the researcher has limited the population to the staff and councilors including the chairman of the local Government.

These are the people who operate the day 40 day activities of the Government council. The councillors are necessary in this work because they come from various wards in the Local

Government area. The total population is fifty (50). However, a random sampling was used in this study.

2.4.3. METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

Whenever a researcher finishes collecting hislher data the data has to be analysed inorder to obtain result. The information obtaihed from questionnaires were arranged in tables and rendered in, percentages.

b 2.4.4. ANALYSIS OF DATA

Local Government have been associated with the provision of basis. social services and basic social infrastrucrures . These social services include promotion and advancement of education, provision of health centres, dispensaries, water supply, development of markets, good roads etc.

In view of the above, the questionnaire was drawn up to see how far Orumba South have gone in providing the above services to the citizens.

An analysis of the questionnaires that were printed and distributed is shown in this chapter. The researcher distributed a total of Eighty (80) questionnaires out of which fifty (50) are filled and refereed.

Then the analysis follows below:

Hypothesis 1 has been tested with questions 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

&I 3.

Test question 6

Are you satisfied with Orumba south Local Government in the area of promotion and advancement of Education? TABLE 1: RESPONSE ON THE PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT

OF EDUCATION

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

A YES 30 60

B NO 20 40

TOTAL 50 100

Computed from field Data

From the above table (I) we can see that out of responses, a

total number of 30 (60%) responses agreed that they are satisfied

with the local Government with regard to promotion and

advancement of education, while 20 (40%) respondents

disagreed. This shows that the local Government is trying in

promotion of education in the local Government area.

TEST QUESTION 7

Does' Orumba South Local Government assist various towns

adequately in building and maintenance of schools.

6 TABLE II RESPONSE ON BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE OF

SCHOOLS

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

A YES 28 56 B NO 22 44 i TOTAL 50 100

Computed from field Data

In the above table 11, 28 respondent representing 561:. agreed that Orumba South Local Government assists its citizens in maintenance and building of schools while 22 respondents (44%) disagreed.

TEST QUESTION 8.

Question 8: .- 2 How many scholarship/ bursory awards has the local government made to the citizens of the area?

b 'i

TABLE 3: RESPBPJSES ON SCHOLARSHIP IBUR~~AWARDS

TO THE CITIZENS OF THE AREA.

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

/ MANLY

NEW

NONE

1 TOTAL 1 50

Computed from field Data

As can be seen from the above table 2.4. 4(3) the total of

48 (96%) out of 50 (100%) respondents were of the view that the local government has not made any scholarshiplbursary awards to the citizens of the Area while insignificant of 2 (40%) agreed that few scholarships were awarded to the indigenes of the area.

TEST QUESTION 9

Does the Local Government provide adequate Health services to

its citizens? TABLE 4: WHETHER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDE

ADEQUATE HEALTH SERVICE TO ITS CITIZENS.

I OPTION I ITEMS I RESPONSES 1 PERCENTAGE I

YES

NO - TOTAL 50 100 - Computed from field Data

From the above, the number of respondents in favour of

provision of adequate health service is 20 (40%) while 30 (60) of

the respondents said that the local government has not provided

the citizens of Local Government with enough health services

TEST QUESTION 10

Does Orumba South Local Government pro vide Electricity to

communities in the area? TABLE 5: PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY TO COMMUNITIES IN

THE AREAS

I OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

A YES 23 46

B NO 27 54

TOTAL 50 100

Computed from field Data

The table in above shows that 27 respondents which

represents 54% of the ljopulation sample agreed that the local

government has not provided electricity to the communities in the

area while 23 (40%) of the population said that the local

government provide electricity to the communities in the area.

This shows that all the communities in the have not benefited in

the rural electrification.

TEST QUESTION 11

Which of the following service does the local government provide

fo; the farmers? TABLE 6: SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE FARMERS BY THE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

NO OF RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

Loan

Fertilizers

Agricultural extension

workers

All of the above

None of the above

TOTAL L Computed from field Data

From the above it is clear that the number of respondents

who agreed that the local government provide' fertilizer for

farmers is the highest 24 (48%) of the population sample. This

indicates that the Local Government provide fertilizes for the

farmers at subsidized prices. Also large number of the population

sample indicated that the Local Government does not provide loan, fertilizers and Agriculture extension workers to the Local

Citizen 20 (40%).

2 respondents (40%) also agreed that the local government provide them with the above listed items while no person indicated that of Agricultural extension workers.

The above show clearly that the farmers in the Local

Government area only benefits little in the area of provision of fertilizer . There is the need therefore to the local governments to help the farmers in the area.

TEST QUESTION 12

In your own opinion, what do you consider to be the major problems (s) facing Orumba South Local Government in development its communities? Table 7 PROBLEMS FACING ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL

GOVERNMENT DEVELOPING ITS COMMUNITIES

ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

Lack of sufficient kd from

allocation and grants

Lack of avenue to raise find

internally.

Personnel problem: incompetent

Local Govt. office

Mismanagement '

All of the above

TOTAL

Computed from field Data

From the above table, it shown that all the above items are

were the major problems facing Orumba south in developing its

communities as all of the above ranked first is (30%) in the table

the highest lack of sufficient find is the major problem.

b QUESTION 13

Generally speaking, how would you grade the performance of

Orumba south Local Government i promotion of rural development?

TABLE 8 GRADE OF THE OF ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL

GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

VERY GOOD

GOOD .

VERY POOR

POOR

TOTAL 1 Computed from field Data

From the above table (71, it could be been seen that the

number in favour of performance of Orumba South Local

Government in promotion of rural development is 70% (very Good

10 t20%) and good 25 (50%) total 70% while 15 respondents representing (30%) is against. This shown that the local government is trying in the promotion of rural developments

Hypothesis II has been tested with questions 14, 15 and 16

Pest question 14

Do you think the local government generate enough revenue internally?

TABLE 9: WHETHER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENOUGH

REVENUE INTERNALLY .

OPTION I ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

A YES 10 20

B NO 40 80

TOTAL 50 100

Computed from field Data

The table (9) above shows that great percentages (40) of the respondents representing 80% were of the view that the loha1 government does not general enough revenue internally. While - - (10) representing 20% believes that the local

government generate enough revenue internally.

Test question 15

Are the federal aflocation and state grant to the local government

adequate?

TABLE 10: WHETHER FEDERAL AND STATE ALLOCATION TO

ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE ADEQUATE

I OPTION I ITEMS 1 RESPONSES 1 PERCENTAGE

A YES ,5 90%

B NO 10%

TOTAL 50 100

Computed from field Data

From the table (10) above it could.be seen that the number

in favour of the point that the federal and state grantss to the

local government are not adequate is 45 (90%) while 5 (10%)

ageed the allocation and grants to the local government are

, adequate. It is clear therefore, that the federal allocation and state grant to the local government are not adequate to carry out numerous functions of the local government.

TEST QUESTION 16

Question 76 Does inadequate revenue hinders the local go vernment from performing?

TABLE 11: WHETHER INADEQUATE FINANCE HINDERS THE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM PERFORMING

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

1 YES

I No

Computed from field Data

From the above table, 48 respondents (96%) maintains that inadequate revenue hinders Orumba South local Government from pe'rforming. While to 2 respondents (4%) inadequate revenue 40~~ht hinder Orumba south from performing. Hypothesis Ill has also been tested with Questions 17, 18,

19.

Test Question 17:

Has the /om/ Government enough high quality staff?

TABLE: 12 WHETHER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS ENOUGH

HIGH QUALITY STAFF

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE a YES 20 40 b NO 30 60

- TOTAL 58 188

Computed from field Data

From the above, it can easily be seen that the total of 30

(60%) respondents supported the idea that the local government

has no enough quality of staff while 20 (40%) agrees that the

loc'al government has enough qualified or quality staff. 'Test question 18

Does the promotion of staff comeo5& when due?

TABLE 13 WHETHER PROMOTION OF STAFF COME AT WHEN DUE

ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

PN 1 IA 1 YES

1 TOTAL 50 responses 1 100 I I Computed from field Data

From the above table, 30 respondents representing 60%

were of view that the staff of the local government are not

promoted at when due while 20 (40%) agreed that the promotion

of staff come at when due.

Test Question 19

How would you asses your working conditions generally?

b TABLE 14 ASSESSMENT OF WORKING CONDITION OF ORUMBA

SOUTH LOCAL GOVT. STAFF

OPTION ITEMS RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

1 A ' VERY GOOD

B GOOD

C VERY POOR

D POOR

TOTAL

Computed from field Data

From the above table (14), a total of 26 (52%) respondents

indicated that their working conditions are generally poor while

48% (24 respondents) indicated that they are Okay with their

working conditions.

Therefore, these staffs need improvement in their working

conditions to them to perform effectively and efficiently. CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESULTS AND FINDINGS

The research was able to find the following from the questionnaires distributed and analyzed.

The local government under study has made some

significant impact in the provision and advancement of education.

This is based on the fact that the local government sponsor all the primary schools in the local government area. Teachers

salaries are paid from the. local government allocation. The council

repair damaged schools e.g. primary school Lomu Umunze,

Nwikpa element school Umunze, e.t.c that were blown by the

wind, seats and exercise books were distributed to schools. The

local government also encourage education by providing adult

education centres (about 49 of them) in the communities. The

only area the council failed in education is that the council have

not awarded scholarship and bursaries to the indigenes.

In the area of health services, finding reveals that there are

health centers, in almost all the towns of the local government but the health centers has been characterized by absence of doctors and lack of drugs.

Only one medical doctor covers the whole health centers in

:he towns. lnfact it is a thing of mockery for one to say that helshe is going to any of the health centers run by the local governments. The local government also finds it difficult to perform its role in sending health educators or sanitary inspectors to the villages probably due to lack of vehicles.

In the area of rural electrification, 'some towns in the local government has been electrified where so many are living without electricity.

In the area of agriculture, the local -government's performance has not been very encouraging due to some reasons.

Loans are not provided to farmers and also rural farmers were provided with agricultural extension services. Fertilizers though sometimes provided to farmers at a subsidize rate but not adequate and also its sale is not decentralized.

The findings also reveals that the local government has not perform too well in the establishment and development of market in the rural communities. Market provides employment as well as provide opportunities for farmers to sell their products. Though all the communities in the locai government have one type of market or the other ranging from Nkwo, Eke, Orie and Afor market the only develo~edmarket in the local government is Nkwo marker

Umunze. The market has open and lock-up stores with a motor park and it is a daily market. It serves as one of the source of revenue generation to the local government.

In the area of social welfare, the local government has also performed below expectation. Although they provide family planning and birth control services, the local government has not engaged properly in public enlightenment campaign to let the citizen know about its services. The result is that only few, mostly staff of the local government and their relations are aware of the availability of these services.

Coming to road rehabilitation, the research reveals that some roads in various communities were occasionally repaired especially during the dried season while some are not, but

Obobridge in Urnuomaku is a credit to the local government. So thd problem of lack of accessible roads to reach the various communities in the local government area is there. The issue of bed road is most prominent dur~ngraining seasons.

The findings also reveals that the local government has helped in solving transportation problem of its people by providing about five (51 608 M/B Buses for mass transit to enhance road transport system.

Also the building of the councils secretariat, fencing of the local government council which took about 4.9 million Naira and building of legislative house has been completed. In the area of security of lives and properties of the people of the local government, the council has performed creditably. This the council did by paying about Im. to the state vigilante group who cover the area thereby by reducing crime rate in the communities of the local government.

The research also reveals that insufficient fund hinders the

Orumba south local government from perform its role as an agent for rural development well. This is so because the fund available to any local government determines its ability to perform. Thus, th8 survival and effectiveness of any local government depends on its financial viability. According to Nassar, MI, "the success or failure of local

government depends among other things on their revenue base,

the fiscal resources available and the way these resources are

utilized". Unfortunately, inadequate finance is one of the major

problems hindering local government from making impact on rural

development. Thus inadequate funds for capital development is

the major problem of local government in Nigeria

Meanwhile, Orumba south local government is one of the

local governments in Nigeria affected by the problem of

inadequate finance. This 'has contributed immensely to frustrate

rural development effort of the local government. It was observed

during the study, th& financial problem facing the local

government emanated from poor revenue generation from internal

sources, inadequate funds from external sources and poor capital

expenditure.

However, the revenue over which local government has

control are those from internal or local sources. They

includes the property and general rate, bicycle license,

adv'ertisement rate, liquor license, motor park, miscellaneous etc.

. but the earning is generally low. Also there are no industry, enough market parks etc. to generate revenue internally to the local government. It is important to note that meaningful system of local government depends on internally generated revenue for financing to a reasonable degree, the programmes of the local government. External grants are also necessary if local government are to remain viable, but heavy reliance of federal and state hinders the local government from performing its roles as an gent for rural development well.

However, a distinguishing feature of the new local government is that they are guarantee funds from the external sources in the form of statutory allocation, value added tax and grants from the federal and state governments. Section (b) of

1979 constitution provides that the national assembly can make

provision for statutory allocation of public revenue to local

councils in the federation and the house of assembly, for states

shall make provision for statutory allocation of public revenue to

local councils in the federation and the house of assembly for

state shall make provision statutory allocation of public revenue to

local 'government the states. Also section 149 sub - section

4,5,6,and 7 provides that the federal allocations to the local government on such term and in such manner as the national

assembly may determine. Again, the national assembly is to

determine the proportion of the state government local revenue

that will go to local government.

Unfortunately, this role is yet to be adequately fulfilled by

both levels of government. The findings therefore show that

Orumba south local government does not generate enough

revenue internally, as a result it depends greatly on federal

government for its operation.

Finding also reveal' that lack of enough qualified personnel

is one of major factbcghindering the local government studied

from playing its role as an agent for rural development

The objectives of rural development and the use of local

government as an agent for rural develop'ment cannot be achieved

without the availability of competent manpower resources. As

Rowland, L(1979) has succinctly pointed out that "it has become

increasingly evident that if progress is to be ascertained and

sustained and the local governments are to emerge as forward

lobking, development oriented and cost conscious entities, very

a much attention will need to be given to staffing the new organization" Surprisingly, lack of enough qualified personnel is

one of the major factors hindering Orumba south local government

from achieving its objectives in rural development. The findings

reveal that greater percentage of the staff of the local government

are junior staff members while few are senior staffers, only few

of the senior staff had a degree certificates, hence problem. For

the local government to be effective, they require competent and

qualified staff to deal with the many and varied challenging

requirements of the local governments.

However, lack qualified staff is as result of lack of fund to

employ qualified staff. Also unattractive working conditions in the

local government scares highly qualified and competent people

away from seeking employment in the local government.

The second personnel problem facing the government is lack

of proper motivation due to poor incentives such as delay in

payment of salaries of workers, their allowances and promotion at

when due.

However, the respondents who were orally interviewed

wBre of the view that the following lapses are inherent in the

. Orumba south local government area:- Lack of accessible road to reach the various communities in

the local government area.

Poor maintenance culture which is rampant in the local

government headquarters and this affect the type of

equipment at the local government disposal.

Non- direction of funds to the appropriate areas.

Lack of vehicles.

Poor communication net work to disseminate information to

the various communities

Lack of dedication?^ work on the part of some of the local

government staff.

Generally, from the analysis so far very little has been done

the area of community development in Orumba south local government. There is therefore need to improve the tempo in order to meet up with the aspiration of the people. CHAPTER FOUR

IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESULTS AND FINDING

The researcher found out that insufficient fund hinders the

local government under study from performing its role as an agent for rural development well. This is so because nobody would

expect the local government to perform wonders since the

statutory allocation from the federal governmentistate are

inadequate and no much source of generating revenue internally.

The resultant effect of the above is that many works will remain

undone.

The investigation also revealed that quality and quantity of

the available human resources in Orumba south local government

is inadequate. The implication of the prevailing situation in

Orumba south local council is that most of the staffers have been

performing their duties without pre - requisite qualification for

delivering effective and efficient service while others are

redundant. Further more, most of the staffers of the local

government have not had additional training since they joined the

local government and this does not stimulate growth on the job as well as the application of initiative and innovations. Thus , the cumulative effects of the afore - going manpower factors explain the adverse effects on the quality of development in the local governmen1 council.

Again, findings in the area of health services showed that

the local government council lack qualified medical personnel,

lack of drugs in the health centre in the communities. The

resultant effect of the above is not far fetched, it increase death

rate. There will be careless death which will automatically reduce

the population of the people in the local government area and also

hinders community development.

In the area of motivation of staff, how far would one argue

that the low pace of development is Orumba ' South Local

Government i is 9% result of lack motivation. The prevalence and

application of such motivating factors as challenging tasks, given

the workers sense of responsibility and of belonging, the presence

of welfare services for the staff as and when due are very

essential to the enhancement of organizational goals and

objectives. The implications of the absence of lack of the fore-going

motivation factors in Orumba south local government is manifest

negative attitude of the work - force towards their job such as

high rate of absentees, lateness to work, truancy, gossips, corrupt

tendencies and the attendant declining work force productivity

therein.

The local government has not performed too well in the

establishment and development of market. Lack of standard and

daily market in the communities of the local government, result in

citizens traveling a long way to other state or local government

.m&L area to buy commodities If such viable ,exist in the local

government, traderslbusiness men from far and wide will come to

Orumba local government area and buy as well as sell their

commodities like provisions, building material, food staffs,

medicines, motor1motorcycle parts, etc. and this will bring

development.

Lack of good roads hinders also the progress of many local

government councils in the state of which Orumba south is one of

the'm. Lack of assess road makes it difficult for traderslbusiness

, men to come to the local government to invest. If the roads in the local government are good, it will motivate investors from far and

wide to come to the local to invest

The findings also revealed that the local government has not

awarded any scholarship to the citizens of the local government.

This does not encourage the students/pupils of the iocal

government to work hard. The education of intelligent ones from

poor families are hindered by non - provision of scholarship and

bursary scheme by the local government authority.

The researcher also finds out that the local government does

not provide enough fertilizers, insecticide and loans to real

farmers. The implication of the above is that it hinders mass and

improved agricultural production to virtually all the commodities

that make up the local government. The research also reveals that

loan are rather given to business men and party members who

uses the money not for agricultural production purpose but for

business and personal purpose and objectives.

However, in as much as not much was not done in the

areas of health services, agricultural, development of markets,

avbard of scholarship and bursaries to the indigenes, etc. as

mentioned above, the local government deserves credit for efforts made in establishment of adult education centers in the rural communities in order to fight illiteracy in the areas. The local government also to help solve transportation problem bought five (5).608 MIB, buses to help the communities of local government. Also the security of lives and properties of the people of the communities is insured.

The implication of the above mass literacy, improve transportation and security of lives and properties is that people in the area are living happily. CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION.

Local government occupies a very strategic position in any political system. In Nigeria where the bulk of the populace dwell in the rural areas, the position, role and functions of the local government plan must therefore start from here. It is against this background that the idea of adopting the local government (with reference to the 1976 new local government reform) as the third tier of government or as the grass-root democracy is unique in the

Nigeria politic - economic setting.

However, much date have been exhausted in the course of this research, hence it become pertinent to conclude by reflecting on the research findings through which observation inference and

possible suggestions can be made.

Firstly, it will be necessary to state that adequate effort

were made to enumerate the functions at the disposal of the local

government councils of which Orumba south is one.

From the study, it is realized that Orumba south local

government need more encouragement in order to be a functional agent of rural development. The local government can be termed agent for rural development when social amenities like good road, pipe borne water, education health services, recreation facilities, etc. are eve9distributed to the communities under the local government.

The study also showed that the people derive a lot when their communities are developed. Thus economic and commercial activities will increase and there will be improvement in the social life of the people as well as their standard of living. Finally, in the course of the findings, it is pertinent to state that the council has only succeeded to some extent in solving minor problem in the area. Leaving major ones to individual communities to execute.

5.2 CONCLUSION.

Conclusively, the Orumba south local government has not played its role well as an agent for rural development. However, there- are numerous problems hampering the effectiveness and efficiency of the local government and can best be bundled under twc~ headings:- the personnel and financial problems. My investigation during the course of this research revealed that the quality and quantity of the available human resources in Orumba south local government is grossly inadequate. So the council lack skilled and qualified staff to enable her accomplish her objectives.

The implication of the prevailing situation in Orumba local government council is that most of the staffers have been performing their duties without, the pre - requisite qualification for delivering effective and efficient service, while others are redundant. Furthermore most of the staffers of the local government have not had additional training since they join the employment of the local g,overnment and this does not stimulate growth on the job as well as the application of initiative and

innovations thus the cumulative effects of the afore going

manpower factor explains the adverse effects on the quality of

development in the local government council. Lack of qualified

staff is as a result of lack of fund to employ qualified staff. Also

unattractive working conditions in the local government which

scare'highly qualified and competent people away from seek of

employment in the local government.

The second personnel problem facing the local government

, is lack of proper motivation due to poor incentive such as delay in

68 sS payment of salaries of workers, their allowances and promotionzt when due.

Finance is another problem facing the local government. The researcher found out that the statutory allocation from the federal government is inadequate and no much source of generating revenue internally.

Furthermore, the researcher found out among other things that the percentage of internally generated revenue by the local government council over its total revenue within the period under study is quite inadequate. So it is clear that the local government has not performed its role well as an agent for rural development

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

A number of factors that hinders Orumba south local government from performing has been identified. Based on the findings, the research has given the following recommendations to make'. local government a more effective vehicle for rural development. Based on the fact that without adequate provision of fands, the local government cannot achieve anything, the state and federal government allocation to the government should be regular and increased. This is because greater percentage of the citizens live in rural communities. Such increase is necessary since most of the local governments rely heavily on such giants due to poor internally generated revenue.

Again only people of proven integrity should be made revenue collectors and they should be remunerated to make them 'WWFW QF lullJcl- less Drone to corru~tionand fraud. lj 'n rr AP ", Furthermore, the local government should participate in commercial ventures like mass transit, service, investments in banks, shopping centers, civ'ic centers, conventional halls, etc

Meanwhile, the federal government should service its expenditure pattern with a view to allocating adequate funds for capital projects. The present situation whereby Orumba south local government spends most of its revenue on recurrent items is very discouraging.

In the area of personnel, they should be improvement in the

condition of service of the employees. It will help to raise the

standard and performance of workers and also attract qualified

and competent staff into the system. There should be in - service training for the staff.

Conference, seminars and workshops should be organized from time to time. The essence is to up date their knowledge, increase the skill and competence of workers for greater productivity.

It is important also that particular attention be paid to effective, progressive and judicious management of the resources and finances of the local government.

Local government should be granting aids to community self help project as incentives for embarking upon such projects. Local

government are expected to be actively involved in economic

planning and development of their areas of authority and this they

can do by providing direct incentives for development oriented

community actions.

In the area of health services, though there are health center

in barely all the communities, they should provide the health

centers with qualified medical personnel. The council should also

ensure that drugs are made available to them. There is needs for a

functional vehicle for this department to enable it reach the

vartous communities easily. In the area of agriculture, the local

, government should provide farmers with fertilizer at subsidized prices and also decentralize its sale. Agricultural extension service should also be provided to the farmers.

The problem of lack accessible roads should be looked into by the local government by maintaining the old and constructing new ones, so that agricuiture product will get to the communities.

Effort should be made to establish and develop markets in the rural communities. This is because it will serve as an lgtvenue for revenue generation and also help the rural communities to buy and sale their farm products.

It is the sincere belief of the researcher that if the above recommendations are looked into and implemented, Orumba south local government would be made more efficient and effective in its role as an agent for rural develop.

PROFILE OF ORUMBA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Orumba south local government is one of the sixteen (16) local governments area in which the state (Anambra) is divided. The local government derives its name from the twenty (20) communities in the southern part of the old Aguata local government area which share the same customs and traditions.

However, what we have to do as Orumba south is made up of fifteen 11 5) autonomous communities as result of the creation of Orumba north out of the former enlarged Orumba local government, carried out of Aguata local government area. Ormba was one of the local government created in the state on the 3rd

May 1989 with its headquarter situated at Umunze, one of the biggest towns in the area.'

GEOGRAPHY

Situated on a rolling flat and on the south part of the state.

The local government is bounded by three other local government of Oji River in Enugu state, Aguata and Orumba north government with which its share common boundaries.

' It is a border local government spreading south wards to the boundary with Abia with lhite communities as the border town. It has rich and vast agricultural and mineral resource and lives in a square kilometer of land. ~wrlxnr- ION a -

771e population estimate of Orumba south local government area is about 9C, 1 16 based on the 1991 provisionally population ct?rwls rasirlt. Ir is made up of fifteen(l5) autonomous

A.gGudu, Akpu, Enugu. Umuonyia, Eziagu, Ogbunka, Onneh,

O;,vc.:rre -- Ez iukala, Umunze and Umuomaku, Ezira, Ihite, Isulo, mi, NaxLi ja and Ogboji.

-1,.0Clr,l.. .. GO'JERNMENT ---.------STRUCTURE

Orumba sout! - local government has six departments. These

Personnel.

Edl~cationand social welfare

'Health

Aqric~.~lture

LVor k:;

Finar;ce AGRICULTURE

Orumba south local government is an agricultural zone.

Almost all communities in the local government engaged in one

agricultural activities or the other. They produce yam, maize okro,

cassava, rice and vegetables and do a lot fishing.

These agricultural activities make the local government area

a major food - basket in the area.

HISTORICAL EVENT 1 CULTURE

Every society has a culture with which it is know. Orumba

south people have their own way of life with relation to common

belief of given to whom honour is due. They also have the belief

of achieving firm through personnel efforts.

However, the cultural activities of the people of Orumba

south are mainly in form of festivals which include:-

New yam festival which have different names in different

communities e.g. the people of Umunze, Ezira, Ihite, lsulo and

Eziagu communities call them New yam festival Duji which is

being celebrated between the month's of July and October of

, every year, in some other communities it is know as Otite by Owerre - Ezukala, lhejioku by Ogbunka and lwaji by Agbudu and

Onneh communities. The festival is traditional well respected or celebrated because according to them, yam is the king of other

Agricultural products.

There are other festivals which traditionally marks the end of the cultural calendar for the people such festivals include:-

Onwa lteghete festival for Agbudu, Ihe - Eke for Ezira and Nne-

Okuka for Umunze. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF

RESEARCH TOPIC: "LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AGENT FOR

RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

A case study of Orumba south local government in Anambra

State '.

Dear Respondent,

The researcher is a post graduate student of university of

Nigeria Nsukka. She intend to find out how far Orumba south local

government has contributed in rural development within the area

of its jurisdiction and also discover factors that facilitates or

militates against such intentions.

Kindly give your sincere response to the questions and

please be rest assured that your response would be held

confidential

Thanks for your anticipated co- operation.

OKAFOR EDITH E.

RESEARCHER INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE SUPPLY APPROPRIATE RESPONSES BY

I Respondents name (optional)......

3 Marital status (A) Single (b) Married

4 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:

(A) NDINCE (B) University DegreelEquivalent

( C) Secondary Education

(d) No education at all 0 - 5 Total working experience

(a) Below 5yrs

(b) Between 5-10 years

(c) 10 - 1 5 years

(d) Above 15 year

6 Are you satisfied with Orumba south local government in

the area of promotion and advancement in education. 7 Does Orumba south local government assist various towns

adequately in building and maintenance of school (s)

(a) Yes

8 How many scholarships/bursaries has the local government

awarded to indigene of the area?

(a) Many (b) Few ( c) None

9 Does the local gdvernment provides electricity to any

community?

10 Which of the following does the local government provide

for the farmers in the local government?

(a) Loan u

(b) Fertilizers

(c) Agricultural Extension workers

(d) All of the above

(e) None of the above 11 In your own opinion what do you consider to be the major

problem(s) facing Orumba south local government in

developing communities in the area

(a) Lack of sufficient funds from allocation and grants

(b) lack of sufficient avenue to raise fund internally (c) Incompetent local government officials 0 (dl Mismanagement (e) All of the above 0

12 Generally speaking 'how would you grade the performance

of Orumba south local government in promotion of rural

development?

13 Do you think local government generate enough revenue

internally?

(a) yes (b) NO Are the federal allocation and state grant to the local government adequate?.

Does inadequate revenue hinder the local government from

performing?

Has the local government enough high quality staff?

Does the promotion of the staff come at when due?

(a) Yes (b) NO

How would you asses your working condition generally?

(a) Very poor (b) Good [7 Adebaye, A (1969); Training local Government in Nigeria. Ile-lfe:

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