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HOW CORRUPTION WORKS IN THE EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA SINCE ITS CREATION

BY

SAPELE, FRANK PG/M.Sc/10/57677

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc) IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF NSUKKA

SUPERVISOR: PROF. OBASI IGWE

AUGUST, 2011 i

TITLE PAGE

HOW CORRUPTION WORKS IN THE EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA SINCE ITS CREATION ii

APPROVAL PAGE

This is to certify that this research work titled “How Corruption Works in the

Ekeremor Local Government Area. Since its Creation.” has been approved by the

Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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Prof Obasi Igwe Date

(Supervisor)

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Prof. Obasi Igwe Date

(Head of Department)

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Prof. E. O. Ezeani Date

(Dean of Faculty)

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External Examiner Date iii

DEDICATION

This research is specially dedicated to the Almighty God. iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My special thanks and acknowledgement go to the Almighty God for his sustained guidance and protection throughout my life.

I am very much grateful to my erudite academic supervisor Professor Obasi Igwe, whose embracing, critically and rigorous supervision and genuine sense of understanding helped me in diverse ways and improve on the completion of this study. He is an epitome of academia. Also stood beside me and made corrections which made the work easier.

The Lord Almighty will continue to bless him abundantly.

My thanks and appreciation go to the entire staff of the Department of Political

Science who in the course of their duty rendered some help.

I acknowledge the contributions of my family members and friends who made significant sacrifices to make sure I completed this programme, especially the effort made by my only dearest Kalama Ebituaemi who assisted me spiritually and financially stood by me, my dad for laying the foundation for my academic success, my uncle Chief

Lecturer M.E. Musaka who assists me financially.

I must also appreciate the tremendous spiritual blessing given to me by Prophet

Afedu Kokon and the servant of God T. Boruta.

Finally, I acknowledge the contributions of my respected brothers, sisters, friends like Kennedy Olorogun, Odoko Ekirika, who assisted me financially. My younger sister

Sapele Rita, who assisted me financially in the course of my programme and my respected friend and brother Bonga Paul for his encouragements.

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I say a big thanks because you all demonstrated tremendous love, understanding and brotherhood, may God continue to bless you abundantly.

Sapele Frank Dept. of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. August, 2011. vi

ABSTRACT

This study focused on How Corruption Works in the Ekeremor Local Government Area Since it Creation. The study is essentially concerned that corruption has become the talk of the day. The consequences of corruption is quite overwhelming as infrastructural development has become a theoretical analysis on the aims of local government establishment. Poverty in the rural areas is no more news but a reality, where few privileged personnel used the opportunity to enrich themselves and their relatives. Worst still, pervasion of public materials and funds to private accounts is no longer a crime but a privilege for self enrichment. The study also intended to unveil the causes, structure, forms, implications of corruption and possible mechanism for curbing it entirely. By so doing, it is hoped that it might help in reassessing, redirection as well as reorientation of the minds of both the entire people and the officials towards becoming a better Nigerians. The study centered on Marxian political paradigm; that argues that corruption is a consequence of peripheral capitalist development system rather than people’s consciousness determining their well-being, it is the way society organizes production and exchange of goods and services that determine their material conditions. The study applied primary and secondary method of data collection and the descriptive method of data analysis. Based on these, we recommended the following: reintroduction of ethics and civics into the curriculum, a need for community/police relations and exposure of corrupt officers and practices. vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ------i

Approval Page ------ii

Dedication ------iii

Acknowledgement ------iv

Abstract ------v

Table of Contents ------vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study ------1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ------3

1.3 Objectives of the Study ------6

1.4 Significance of the Study ------6

1.5 Scope of the Study ------7

1.6 Literature Review ------7

1.7 Theoretical Framework ------18

1.8 Hypotheses ------21

1.9 Methodology/Data Collection and Analysis - - - - 21

1.9.1 Data Collection ------21

1.9.2 Data Analysis ------22

1.10 Operational Definitions ------22

Bibliography ------23-24

CHAPTER TWO: GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE EKEREMOR

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA 25-27 viii

2.1 The History of Ekeremor Local Government Area of - 27

Bibliography ------40-41

CHAPTER THREE: THE STRUCTURE, FORMS, AND IMPLICATIONS OF

CORRUPTION IN THE EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

3.1 The Structure of Corruption ------42

3.2 The Forms of Corruption in Ekeremor Local Government - - 49

3.3 The Implication of Corruption in Ekeremor Local Government Area - 50-57

Bibliography ------58

CHAPTER FOUR: POSSIBLE MECHANISM FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION

IN THE EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA - 59-74

Bibliography ------75

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion ------76

5.2 Recommendation ------78

Bibliography ------83-84

Bibliography ------85-89

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1

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Basically, the trend of corruption in the various governmental establishments especially in the Ekeremor Local Government Area since its creation in Bayelsa state has generated a lot of concern to the people of its area also the wider society at large. Since the introduction of Native Authority by the British Administration in Nigeria, corruption in all ramifications has been on the increase. Corruption in local government administration is a topical issue that cannot be fully comprehended without a clearer understanding of its origin. This is because its existence has caused a lot of havoc to the entire people. Corruption with it alarming rate is also traceable to the pre-colonial slave trade era, the obnoxious slave trade was a form of corruption because it climaxed the

European exploitation of Nigeria labour force and constituted the agents of destruction and inefficiency within the local government administration.

Ekeremor local government council was created in the 1 st of October 1991 out of the old local government area from the then Rivers state under Ibrahim

Babangida military regime that had official pronouncement on its establishment legally.

But because of corruption most of the aims of creating the local government councils have not been achieved. Many scholars observed that corruption is an obstacle in the smooth running of administrative business in governance.

According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of current English, the word corrupt refers to “people especially, with authority or power to act dishonestly or illegally in return for money or personal gains”. Corruption, therefore, is a social phenomenon which manifests itself in various human actions, such as dishonesty, 2 wickedness, selfishness, embezzlement, moral degeneration, bribery, insatiability, covetousness, and so on. Nmom (2003), interpreting social problems and public issues in

Nigeria. Sees corruption as the unfortunate realities of greed, lack of integrity, wanton disregard for the rules of law, selfishness, lack of fear of God and lack of taste for good governance are impediments to our national growth.

The fact is that successive administrations in Ekeremor Local Government

Council since inception have not been able to approach and address the issue of corruption technically. It is as a result of the failure of the personnel and officials being truly interested in the effect of corruption in the socio-economic and political life of

Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. More frightening is the fact that those who abuse public offices instead of getting ashamed earn the respect they do not deserve.

Corruption leads to non-inculcation of values of a good behaviour in administration and deviation from rules and regulations. This study will go a long want to trace some of the factors responsible for this devilish act since the creation of Ekeremor

Local Government Area and proffer some solutions to be used to curb it in the local government area and Bayelsa State in general.

Ekeremor Local Government Council has been administered by sole administrators, caretakers’ committee chairmen and elected chairmen. Since it inception but from very close observation, it shows that no tangible project has been executed in the areas, facilities such as portable water, toilet, houses, electricity to the forty seven towns and villages that make up Ekeremor Local Government Areas and a befitting secretariat and a solid landing jetty are yet to be provided to the entire Ekeremor people. 3

The question at this point in time is who is responsible for all these? Is it the federal government, state government or the local government council? Again is the local government monthly allocation not being paid or why is it that the most needed facilities are not provided as needed by the entire people of Ekeremor local government area of

Bayelsa state specifically.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There has always been much hue and cry about the existence of corruption in the

Nigerian Local Government system including other bureaucratic set ups. Corruption is believed to be one of the ills of Nigerian public sector that affect effective and active administrative planning and implementation at all level.

In Ekeremor Local Government Council just as in any other local governments in

Bayelsa State and Nigeria at large face the problem of corruption in all ramifications which includes, as:

(a) The mode of production that causes corruption in Ekeremor Local

Government Area.

(b) The culture of the people enhances corruption in Ekeremor Local Government

Area.

(c) Political apathy is also a contributing factor to corruption in Ekeremor Local

Government Area.

The study therefore is concerned with the poor infrastructures found in Ekeremor

Local Government Area in spite of the huge sum of money allocated for the development of the areas, also this study will focus on the indiscipline attitude of the administrators, 4 staff and officials in Ekeremor Local Government Council which has made it possible for corruption to exist and expand in the entire council.

Moreover, this problem has been attributed to the prevalent capitalist socialization and weak economic base (value system) of the petit bourgeoisies who are the governing class in Nigeria since independence and the creation of local government.

Anugwom and Igbo (2002:112) citing the Newswat Magazine (1992) wrote that:

Corruption became institutionalized in the country though the establishment of many elephant projects and money gulping jamborees, including the gigantic iron and steel complex at Ajaokuta which has not achieved anything for over ten years now, the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) celebrated in 1977, gulped billions of naira of the taxpayers money; the construction of fly-over and double – carriage highways many of which are ill- maintained, the creation of states from three regions to 12 states, 19 states, 30 states and now 36 states in its country etc. these projects are known to be ways of siphoning public money and rewarding loyal public officials, politicians and retired and serving military administrators or Governors who run their states as if they were private estates. Furthermore, due to the flaws in the area of corruption in addition to maladministration series of local government reforms was made prominent in the 1976, local Government also brought a picture of reforms throughout the federation. The reform was quite unique and remarkable for creating local government as the de facto third tiers of government in Nigeria. The reforms stipulated that lack of adequate funds and appropriate instructions have continued to make local government ineffective and ineffectual as this causes corruption in the entire local government system per se. 5

Consequently, this led to the dissolution of local government at the national level on account of official corruption and embezzlement of public funds by functionaries, it is now a common knowledge that if the system of local government is to serve as a veritable vehicle for transforming our society and the debilitating effects by misallocation and misappropriation of resources must be tackled to ensure the eradication of the aforementioned vices.

Furthermore, due to the flaws in the 1976 local government reform and the problem inherent in Buhari/Idiagbon regime another reform was constituted in the year

1997. This reform has had a general implication for the structure, function, performance and productivity in the civil service yet local government have performed poorly with respect of their constitutional functions as a result of corruption among the entire staff of the local government council. The local government share of the federal revenue increased from 10% to 15% and eventually over 30% all in a bid to reduce the rate of corruption and increase the fund for effective rural development in the entire local government area and because of the problem the local government had in getting their revenue through the states, the reform empowered them to receive their share of the federal revenue directly from the federation account and not through state which at times do not give the same to local government or do so after it must have made use of it.

Additionally, Ekeremor Local Government Areas like any other local government since its creation has been trying it personal interest and has not satisfied the yearning populace, poverty still dominate the entire council area. The council has been trying in mobilization of both human and natural resources but the impact is being show back because of the high level of perceived corruption being carried out by the majority of the 6 entire staff in the local government, another worst condition is the inability of the local government chairman in paying his workers monthly salaries as when due and this is the greatest menace because the workers are now showing nonchalant attitude to work. The issue of contract award cannot be realized in Ekeremor Local Government Area and top accountants, Directors of administration are no longer useful in piloting the affairs of the entire local government system. In other words, the rate of corruption seems to be increasing so as to be satisfying their basic needs at any point in time.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this research study are.

1. To identify the causes of corruption in Ekeremor Local Government council

since its creation.

2. To examine the extent of disciplinary measurer or actions that has been taken

against corrupt attitude.

3. To identify the level of misconducts and inefficiency in Ekeremor Local

Government council.

4. To proffer solutions that will reduce the incidence of corruption in Ekeremor

Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The need for any research study lies in it importance. This study is essential for number of reasons, a study such as “How corruption works in the Ekeremor Local

Government Area, since its creation”. Is justified as a time when the masses are clamoring for the total eradication of corruption. The study is essential as it will help to make the current and future administration of Ekeremor Local Government to be 7 responsible and resist the temptation of corruption. It is also hoped that this study will address as well as make the authority to accept prudence and accountability as the hallmark of their administration in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

The study is significant as it will further research in the issue area. Besides, it is the fervent hope of the researcher that the study will add to the existing knowledge in the area under investigation. The study will also aimed at proffering solution on the ways of correcting, implementing disciplinary measures, so as to increase productivity in the development of the rural areas. It is hoped that this study will serve as a trigger, a tonic to prick our conscience to question and hopelessness half the drift, the descendant and the culture of rapid accumulative instinct in our society.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Basically, the main focus of this research is how corruption works in the

Ekeremor Local Government area since its creation.

The study covers the whole of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa

State.

Ekeremor Local Government is divided into three constituencies (House of

Assembly Seat) constituency one (1) constituency two (2) and constituency three (3) respectively which the study will cover.

1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter deals specifically with the review of related literature being undertaken by the researcher in the sphere of corruption in local government administration. 8

The term corruption according to Verda Ekar (1981) in an article published in the journal at modern African Studies, sees corruption as a wide spread phenomenon in the developing countries, he simply saw corruption as the practice of using the power of office for private gains in breach of laws and regulation normally in force, through

Verda’s assertion that corruption is peculiar to developing countries in presumed wrong since it is found in developing countries. The difference lies in the degree and scope of existence of corruption.

Corruption according to Ikejiani-clark (1995:142) is the “inducement by means of improper consideration to commit a violation of duty, an inducement in cash or kind to secure services of goods from public officials or agencies through illegitimate or unlawful or irregular means”.

Similarly, some scholars according to Ikejiani-Clark (1995:143) maintained that the concept of public is very significant in illustrating corruption. For instance Carl

Friedrich (1966:74) quoted in Ikejiani-Clark (1995:143) says that:

The pattern of corruption can be said to exist whenever a purer holder who is charge with doing certain thing i.e. who is a responsible functionary or office holder, is by monetary or other rewards not legally provided for, induced to take actions which favour whoever provides the rewards and thereby does damage to the public and its interest.

Emezi, C. (1998:5). “Corruption as a constraint on local government effectiveness.” Posits that corruption can be seen as a question of conflict of values. He goes further to contend that” the conflict arises against the western, impersonal and universal norms, bureaucracy and set traditional values of kinship and reciprocity. 9

Viewed in this light corruption can be seen as an extra legal institution used by individuals or groups to gain influences over the actions of the bureaucracy”.

According to Ifesinachi (2003:25), the word corruption comes from the Latin word “rumpere” the breaking of normal aspect of life which used to be very important in the upliftment and development of man toward the actualization of the societal norms and practices.

Based on this analysis he went ahead to cite Kirke Patrick (1983:283). Corruption is to make putrid, to taint, debase, spoil, to destroy the purity of, prevent, bribe, rot, to defile, not genuine much vitiated, dishonest and denial.

Nye, J. S. (1967: 417-27). “Corruption and political development: A Cost -

Benefit analysis” states that “corruption refers to the behaviours which deviate from the formal duties of a public role and became of private. Regarding close family wealth or satiate again”. According to him, this include the use reward to prevent the judgment of a person in position of trust-bribery, bestowal of patronage by reason of inscriptive relationship rather than merit-nepotism illegal act launching the use of state power are underpinned in the desire to satisfy some private regarding calculations.

Nye’s view in future supported by Amujiri et al., (2003) that corruption exists where there is a diversion of government revenue and of national income flow in order to augments in current government officials private wealth, when the letter is not legally entitled to do so.

However, Okoye, I.C. (1989: 36). “Corruption and political in Nigeria, a case study of the East central state 1970-1975 and Anambra state. Unpublished Ph.d Thesis.

UNN. Typifies corruption into two, namely: parochial and market corruption. Parochial 10 corruption obtains in a country where kinship and other parochial ties determine access to community leaders favour white market corruption refers to that epoch where influence is accorded to those who pay most. Corruption which is seen as a phenomenon that has eaten deep into the families of the nation has always, increased bad leadership in the same way, literature abounds on leadership and it implication in the public and the nation as a whole.

According to Chinua Achebe (1983) in his book titled “The Trouble with Nigeria” he postulated that Nigerians are corrupt because the system or society under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable. He said that they will cease to be corruption when corruption is made difficult and inconvenient. Also, the problem of

Nigeria is due to the inability of the leaders to rise up to the responsibilities and the challenges of personal example which is the hall mark to true leadership”. He went further to assert that there is nothing basically wrong with Nigeria character or its land, climate or anything else, rather it is as the absence of a purposeful, emphatic and mission oriented leadership that has contributed to the present trend of political decadence and economic quagmire in the entire level.

According to Obasi, Igwe (1996). Leadership skills and capacity are expression of the culture and value system of the people, and an indication of people’s sense of purposed and their commitment to progress. In his view, the objectives of leadership are to guide the people along a perceived path favourable to the ultimate achievement of the greater happiness of the greater number. It will appear to that past leaders in Nigeria that have consistently placed their priorities and so have not been able to achieve the main objectives expected of them at all level. 11

For Paul Margaret (1976). The genesis of leadership problems to the machination of colonial rule. For her the issue of indirect rule and it system of taxation in the colonial period encouraged corrupt practices on the part of the traditional rulers and warrant chiefs who where assigned the job of finance minister to see the collection of tax from the naives.

Consequently, Gibbs (1968) state the main feature of leadership as one in which influence is exerted by one individual upon or more commonly that one in which influence or a few individual influence a large number. He further explain that leadership roles entail a common sense of belonging to a common goal. There are emerging scholars who performed thieves specifically designed to show that corruption is a third world phenomenon. According to him, as countries pass the stage of political and economic development they will as a matter of fact experience corruption by implication corruption is a third world phenomenon and cannot be easily found in advanced capitalist and socialist societies to a large extent. The views of these scholars are completely misleading. The simple truth is that there is no country where corruption is a strange word. It is endemic in every country, Capitalist or communist. Another group of scholars opined that corruption would not be explained outside the socio-economic formation of a society. It is interesting to note that scholars in this school of thought include Alle, Samir

Amin and Festus Iyayi. There argument is that the character of every society depends on its socio-economic formation. In this light, political corruption ceases to be seen as resulting from the stage of development of a society in the tradition-modernization continuum. Some writers have attributed the causes of corruption to alien legal norms of 12 conduct, the dependent nature of Nigerian economy and the vulnerable nature of politics as a whole.

Okoli, F.C. (1995), posits that the dependent nature of the Nigerian economy and the vulnerable nature of politics in the above is that the cause of corruption is Nigeria is as a result of our contact with the adoption of European orientation and values.

Jordan (1985) attributed the cause of corruption to strong pressure mounted on public office – holders by their kith and kinds. Some scholars hold the view of rather trace the incidence of corruption to the substantial increase of Nigeria oil wealth among these writers are Josiah (1996) and Nwosu (1977).

According to Josiah (1996) in his article “oil and Agriculture in Economic

Development: The Nigerian Experience”. Noted that the one notable feature during the crude oil bay-days was high rate of corruption in the sense that some public money was illicitly diverted to private gains but to the detriment of the entire public.

Josiah view is further supported by Nwosu (1977) who traced the incidence of corruption to the substantial increase of Nigeria oil wealth.

Adamolekun (1986) still in tracing the causes of corruption, suggest that the following appears to have been the major causes of corruption in the Nigerian millennium. First, the behavioural norms of both political and administrative officials where tolerant of abuse of office for contract awards and the distribution of government jobs were connected to parties finance. According to him the financial resources available to the party treasury were then used for both the legitimate cause of making the party machine and the illegitimate practice of route-buying and corrupt campaign financing.

Ademolekun makes a general conclusion on how to fight the endemic rate of corruption 13 at all level we should ensure that behavioural norms of government leaders do not at any reasons tolerate any forms of corrupt practices at any point in time. He absolutely suggests the need to established institutional procedures and practices that would not be easily manipulated, tend to adopt enforceable legal rules. Another recommendation he proffers, is that the political and economic structure be kept under constant review to ensure that factor that promote or protect corruption practices are promptly modified or revived.

While in the view of Akani, C. (2000), corruption in Nigeria: The Niger Delta experience: Fourth Dimension publisher limited; posits that corruption strives stronger in a capitalist environment, it smoothness capitalist motive and serves as an organic engine.

He further explained that it is very important to state the whole process of primitive accumulated of wealth which includes; colonialism was nothing but brazen display of corruption. So corruption necessarily exist and it is encouraged by every capitalist economy, since in such an economic system the drive and competition a part of what is called the economic culture of the capitalist economy. That is to say that corruption is part of the values attitudes, skills and orientation that are for the maintenance of the system at any time.

Akani, also added that the result is that instead of the country which was a beacon of hope for the black race in the 1960’s to boldly enter into the part of modernity, it is gradually entering and shrinking to the cocoon of permittivity, destruction of self by self and completely concerned about the future of its people. He went further to asserts that corruption in the world over is a condemnable phenomenon. But those who practice it confer some benefits. Essentially, it is often accumulated and private appreciation of 14 wealth. In whichever way, corruption is a wasting disease and generally defined as the abuse of public position for private or sectional gain. It flourishes mostly where politicians and officials exercise power without accountability and the issue of prudency.

Akani concludes that corruption is part and parcel of the economic culture of capitalism doggedly hinged on possessive individualism. It is the organic wheel that accelerates corruption. He further argued that corruption have a divine origin, but a reflection of the historical integration of man and its environment and the production of goods and services.

Chartuvedi, et al., (2006). The Highest Menace of Nepotism and Corruption in

Public Employment. Corruption may be defined as that behaviour which deviates from the formal duties of a public role because of private regarding pecuniary or status gains or violates rules against exercise of certain types of private regarding influence, bribery and undue influences. Chartuvedi further puts that votes on the grounds of religion, race, caste community promotion of entity between classes are some of the corrupt practices. It is a clearer manifestation that people most at times intend to gain influence through some means which have been deemed as corrupt ways. Today corruption not only manifest in the public institutions but also manifest in our family circle and even in the churches and the mosques.

Adebayo (1986). His Power in Politics: puts that corruption is a common world and has become part of every day usage but constitutes at the level of public life includes:

(1) Using official stationery, envelope and papers for private purposes at any

point in time.

(2) Using government drugs, dresses and hospital equipment for private use. 15

(3) Using governmental time for private work.

(4) Using government motor vehicles for private purposes.

(5) Misuse of government motor vehicles for private purpose Additionally,

demanding sex from female applicants for job, tampering with application,

contract documents and pay vouchers, misuse of oversea tour, electoral

malpractices, obtaining input licenses under false pretence, inflation of

contract in order to receive kick backs which goes into private pockets, misuse

of security funds by the chief executive etc. Adebayo op cit, pp. 24, further

illustrate another form of corrupt practices in the bureaucratic setting. Thus an

official is erupted to give out forms free of charge to members of the public

who come to apply to it, but the official hides the forms inside his/her drawer

and inform the applicant that there are no forms.

Author, Nwakwo (1999). Nigeria The Stolen Billons: Noted that corruption and excessive quest for materials has become a rampant issue in our societies and it is no longer a secret thing. What is particularly disturbing is the capacity of some Nigerians to exploits loopholes within the system for their self purpose. He further explained that the lure of corruption and self-enrichment is evident in all facets of life. According to him between 1960 and today, a clear pattern emerged of a systematic plunder and pillage of resources of the state. That is why we are dragged into dark depth of corruption , this would continue to tarnish our reputation because the gale of corruption and gross abuse of office remains an intractable problem passing a formidable challenges to the larger society. The spate of calloused abuse of power and glaring cases of monumental 16 corruption left the states with crushing debt burdens. These burdens were made possible by lack of accountability and transparent honesty.

This is why major P.C.K. Nzeogwu led the first coup de’ tat on the 15 th of

January, 1966, cited in Author (1999). Stated profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand ten percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office, those that make the country working big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.

Odondiri, P.G.A. (1995). The Dilemma of Bureaucratic Corruption in Nigeria’s

Journal of Nigerian Affairs, Owerri, Nigeria. Noted that corruption in government cannot be divorced from local government political terrain and these reflects the values and the pattern of clientelistic types of policies in support of these words, Enemuo (1999:324) reaffirmed that local government staff in Nigerian and perhaps other countries are widely perceived as corrupt. It is often alleged that they extort money from members of the public to enrich themselves at the expense of the local government.

To clearly explain the level of corruption in the local government administration in Bayelsa State should be also clearly traced to the emergence of Chief Dr. S.P.

Alamieyeseigha as the first executive governor of Bayelsa State 29 th May 1999, and he created twenty four (24) additional local government areas in view that the federal government would approve and give them allocation, but failure to the aim, Bayelsa state government was saddled with responsibility of funding the new local government council which took off since 2000 till date. They soon became albatross to the young administration as ten million naira monthly allocation is usually sent to them from the 17 state purse and till date the money is often squandered recklessly thereby defeating the reasons of the creation of those new local government councils otherwise called and refers to as development centers’

Mmon, D.C. (2003) claims that corruption is a major social problem in confronting this country (Nigeria) and has so affected our image that many leaders and writers say that Nigeria stinks. He further says that the world corruption is very slippery and very sectional or some time relatives, thus; very murky and with elastic definition. In essence, it is a wide pervasive and all encompassing to the point of impurity(confusion or blurred).Corruption thrives in the absence of strong moral ethos, accountability and transparency, numerous probes instituted to express gross abuse of power, bribery and corruption had been seized by overwhelming forces of decadence, masked on grotesque apparel probes have become a ritualized and highly inefficient process designed to play a predictable subterfuge. Faced with this problem of talking the endemic nature of corruption. Banner news in August (2005:12) Dr. Goodluck Jonathan then Deputy governor of Bayelsa state presented a paper on behalf of the former governor of Bayelsa

State Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha; He noted that the world “corruption and pollution are similar in many respects. Both words are negative to the extent that even those that indulge in it hate to be associated with it.

Corruption according to Jonathan has so many ramification and implications. To him, the teacher and the student who collaborate to cheat in examination are all corrupt, the journalist who is paid to write untrue story or distort fact as to discreet people is corrupt, the preacher who cite imaginary stories and make them look real for the purpose of winning converts is corrupt, those who suppress the truth for the advantages of some 18 people over others are also corrupt. Dr. Jonathan Cited the Roman Poet, Ovidius Naso particularly known as avid (438. c to A.D. 17). In his poem, Tristia he stated the civil called corruption goes beyond looting public treasurers. He further cited the British

Green Graham (1904-1991) in his novel. “The Heart of the Matter”. He noted that they have been corrupted by money and he has been corrupted by sentiment.

Base on this analysis, former president Olusegun Obasanjo June 13 th , 2000 formally organized an Occasion towards the signing into law of the Corrupt Practices and

Other Related Offences Act 2000 at Abuja. He observed that corruption is a cankerworm that has eaten into the Fabric of our society at every level. It has caused decay and derailing within the infrastructure of government and the society in physical, social and human forms. Corruption has been responsible for the instability of successive government since the first republic.

1.7 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Basically, the theoretical framework which informs the analysis of this study is the Marxian Political Economic paradigm. The political economy approach and economic issues was popularized by Karl Marx (1818-83) who laid the basic for the study of political economy as a district discipline.

Briefly, political economy is an holistic, historical orientated, used by social scientist for the analysis of social formations and their contradicting relationships. Ake

(1981) sees political economy approach as that which gives primary to material condition particularly economic factors in the explanation of social life.

Political economic has it fundamental basis in dialectical materialism which determines social consequences. Thus by adopting this method we shall determine and 19 established a relationship between the Nigerian economic and corruption and its social consequences. However, while material existence determines social consciousness, it equally influence by the latter. The Marxist political economy paradigm see the production, social classes, the character of the state, the contradiction in the global movement of capital. The global relations of production and exchange and the politics of post colonial states.

Marxist political paradigm assumes the primary of material condition of life as determining the behaviour of social group Nnoli (1981). The above paradigm shall enable us study and comprehend the political behaviour of political office holder. Thus,

Doguslavsky stated “That material condition of life which is the economic constitute the most important factor of social life”.

The approach is adopted as the advantage of interpreting the political behaviour of the governing class in the light of the socio-economic forces that extensively influence human behaviour in society. It perceives economic needs and unless this need is met, man cannot exist. This is to say that if “knowledge of economic is available the general character of the social system, the political system, the belief system etc of the relevant society can be reasonably be conjectured”. (Ake 1981). So in all societies there are two classes of people which include a class that ruled and those that are not. Our focus on the problem of corruption will centre on the political behaviour of the ruling class. Thus

Cohen (1981) asserted that “The holders power in Africa are to a large extent,, part of the ruling class itself. They come out from the peasantry or the proletariat, but petit- bourgeoisies of the above average wealth, owners of capital or the servants of capital”. 20

Corruption during the colonial period will also be analyzes in other to gain in-dept knowledge of the extent of this phenomenon on the nation at large.

According to Cohen, “the colonial state had no interest in the development of product in sector in the colonies. It relied on the pre-capitalist techniques of production and property relations to ensure the supply of primary material to the metropolis. Those who entered into the productive industry were discouraged into certain politics”. Thus, when the petit bourgeoisie emerge without the productive power, they were left with the option of either developing the production sector or making use of the state power for the requisition of wealth. They latter then become the case which led to widespread corruption in the polity. As earlier noted by Ake, we cannot underline the primary of material condition particularly economic factors in the explanation of the behaviour of our leaders. Every leader is interested in the explanation of our leaders. Every leader is interested in what to eat, how to survive and how to grapple with his economic problems.

The nature of the Nigerian state economy appears to have lured or forced the political leaders to accumulate capital for their self-regarding interest thus, Marx stated that “It is the sub-structure” when the sub-structure is not properly taken care of the super structure and it will be affected drastically, it therefore appears that most of the leaders are corrupt and tend to use the state power for self regarding interest, because of the primary of material condition, as postulated by Ake (1981). This theory also lay more emphasis’ on man being an insatiable being and unsatisfying the economic need of man which is the most fundamental need and unless man is able to meet this need again he cannot be satisfied. Therefore, being that the economic activities of man determines his survival, man engage himself in corrupt act so as to be able to get ride of it aspirations and as 21 much as man is an insatiable being and unsatisfied, corruption will continue to increase because man keep on searching on how to survive. As a result of this, one could see that this approach is the best in studying this topic since it enable us to know the real causes of corruption in Nigerian local government council in a holistic explanation and analysis which gives a comprehensive outlook.

1.8 HYPOTHESIS

Three fundamental hypotheses have been developed by the researcher to enhance or aid a depth analysis of this research study.

(1) There is a relationship between the role of production and corruption in local

government administration.

(2) There is relationship between culture and corruption in local government

administration.

(3) There is relationship between political apathy and corruption in local

government administration.

1.9 METHODOLOGY

This aspect is concerned with the various research techniques, materials and methods used in the collection and analysis of data for the topic being investigated.

1.9.1 Data Collection:-

In this research, I employed primary and secondary sources for the collection of data needed for its successful completion.

In respect of primary data, I utilized the interview and questionnaire techniques in the collection of the needed data and was restricted to Ekeremor government local councils. 22

As regards, the secondary source were textbooks, journals, magazines, unpublished noted, lectures notes, newspapers e.t.c dealing specifically on the subject matter.

Therefore, a thorough analysis and interpretation of data will be a subject matter of this research.

1. 9. 2. Data Analysis:-

The researcher in carrying out this research study used the descriptive method and the personal observation of the research on the issues on the level of corruption in

Ekeremor local government area was also an advantage.

1. 10 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

In view of this significance roles that concepts play in any empirical research, the need equally arises for the definition of some concepts used.

1. Corruption – Corruption is the act of achieving self interest in an organization

through improper ways. That is, an act is said to be corrupt if it favours particular

set of people to the detriment of others, such as bribery, falsification of official

documents, contract inflation, and electoral malpractice.

2. Local Government Administration – It means the management of the public

affairs at the local or grass root level.

3. Leadership – This is the process of influencing a group of people towards

achieving a goal or objective. 23

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOK

Adebayo, A. (1986). Power in Politics . : Spectrums Books Limited

Akani, Christian (2001). Corruption in Nigeria: The Niger Delta Experience Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publisher.

Aluka, J.O. (2006). Corruption in Local Government Administration : Ibadan Book Builders Edition African, Awosika Avenue Bodija.

Adamolekun, L. (1986) Public Administration: A Nigerian and Comparative Perspective Lagos: Longmans.

Chinua, Achebe (1983). The Trouble with Nigeria : Enugu Fourth Dimension Publishers Limited.

Claude, Ake (1990). A Political Economy of Africa . Lagos: Longmans Nigeria Limited Low Price Edition.

Mmon, O.C. (2002). Interpreting Social Problems and Public Issues . Port Harcourt: Pearl Publishers Limited.

Nwakwo, A (1999). Nigeria the Stolen Billion : Enugu Fourth Dimension Publishers Limited.

Ugwu, C.O.T. (2002). Corruption in Nigeria: Critical Perspectives . Nsukka: Chuka Educational Publishers, Nigeria.

JOURNALS Oghale, E.A. (2002). “Corruption issues in Africa Government and Politics”. Peakline Service Nigeria Limited. Effurun/Warri Road.

Emeze, O. (1998). “Corruption as a Constraint on Local Government Effectiveness. The Case of Jemaa Local Authority in Nigeria: Nigeria.” Journal of Public Administration and Local Government. Vol. 9. No 1.

Ikejiani-Clark, M. (1998). “Corruption in Nigeria” in Onuoha J.T. and Ozioko J.O.C. (eds). Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences Enugu Acenta Publication.

Nye, J.S. (1967). “Corruption and Political Development: A Cost of Benefit Analysis.” American Political Science Review.

Odondiri, P.G.O. (1995). “The Dilemma of Bureaucratic Corruption in Nigeria.” Journal of Nigeria International Affairs, Owerri, Nigeria. 24

UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL

Sapele, Frank (2007). “Nigerian Federalism and the Agitation for Resource Control: The Case of Niger Delta.” Unpublished Undergraduate Project, University of Education, Rivers State, Port-Harcourt.

NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES Banner Newspaper August, 12-16 2005. Vanguard Newspaper , June 4, 2002. Punch , July 8, 2001. The Guardian , Tuesday, September 18, 2002.

INTERNET

Nigeria: Corruption and Misuse Rob Nigerians of Rights. www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/01/30/nigeria .

Corruption in the Local Government System in Nigeria. www.openlibrary.org/books/oli3166095m/c

25

CHAPTER TWO

GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA

Basically , Ekeremor local government area is geographically bounded by Burutu and Bomadi local government areas in the West, in the south by the Atlantic Ocean and its local government area in the East, lastly in the North Sagbama local government area both in Bayelsa state and of Nigeria respectively. (Ekeremor

Local Government Area, Medium Team for Economic Blueprint 2010-2014).

According to Evilewuru (2011) Ekeremor Local Government Area is a picturesque tropical rain forest area, there is always a heavy rainfall and shout sunny period starting from November to February in every given year. Ekeremore Local

Government Area has an area of a total 1, 810km 2 (698. 8 sqm) and a population roughly

270,577, that is 53% male, 47% female during the last Nigeria 2006 census exercise. Its time zone WAT (UTC + 1), with 3-digit postal 561, code prefix 1503166 code,

(NG.BY.EK).

Additionally, Ekeremor has a luxuriant type of dense vegetation because of the so-called very heavy rainfall (2032mm/80 inches) and uniformly high temperature

(27ºC/80ºf). Ebikabo-owei (2007). The vegetation is made up of ever green trees that yield hardwoods, for instance, Ebony, Mahogany, Green heart and cabinet woods. There are small palm trees, climbing plants such as the lianas. The trees grow a wider variety of creepers lalang and orchids. The forest appears like a thick canopy of foliage,broken only where it is crossed by large rivers or cleared for cultivation within its system of operation. 26

Also, multiple species occur in a particular area and the trees of the area are not found in pure stand of a single specie.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (2004). Ekeremor is one among the over 2,000 Niger

Delta communities in an area covering 70, 000 square kilometers of lowland rain as well as swamp forests, mangroves, said barrier islands, fresh and saline water ecosystem.

According to him the Niger Delta is about 10,000 years old. Its uniqueness, however, is not in the age but in the regions capacity to provide for all those that depend on her, especially the 12 major ethnic nations in the region.

Silva, Opuala-Charles (2010). Ekeremor is also in the heart of Bayelsa state. This state was formed on October 1 st , 1996. From part of Rivers state and thus, is one of the nearest states of the Nigerian federation. The capital city is Yenegoa. Bayelsa state is one of the largest wetlands in the world. More than three quarters of the area is covered by water, with a moderately low land stretching from Ekeremor to . “The state has the largest coastland in Nigeria, spanning 203km. The land area is 11,109km 2 and lies within latitudes 04’20’33”and 05’28’39”North,longitudes 0.5’20’00” and 06’43’05”East in the equatorial rain forest” the mean annual rainfall of about 4000mm is derived from rainfall between March and November each year. Average temperature is 30ºC with high humidity. Almost half of the state is made up of mangrove forest, which gives way to freshwater swamp forest and thence to Lowland rain forest North of the coast.

Fairly large population of Ekeremor in Bayelsa, as her indigenes are called, are mainly riverine dwellers due to the state’s peculiar terrain. The local population is primarily engage in farming, palm oil milling, lumbering, palm wine tapping, local gin making, trading, weaving and fishing which is the most dominant occupation that is 27 carried and on both subsistence and commercial levels with it coastline producing approximately 50, 000 tones’ of Fishes annually. However, this output level is been imported upon negatively by oil-related pollution.

Meeting, A (2010). The network of several cracks in Ekeremor of Bayelsa state and the rivers in the South, all flow into the Atlantic Ocean via the major rivers such as

San Bartholomew, Brass, Num, Ramos, Santa Barbara, St. Nicholas, Sagana, Fishtown,

Ikebiri Creek, Middleton, Digatoro creek, Pennington and Dubo. The vegetation here is characterized by the mangrove forest. In the North, it has a thick forest with arable lands for cultivation of various food and cash crops.

2.1 THE HISTORY OF EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF

BAYELSA STATE

According to Smooth, T. (2007). The Ekeremor tribe (operemor) operemo of the

Ijaw people inhabits Ekeremor Local Government Area, Delta state in Southern Nigeria, important Ekeremor settlements include Ojobo (Ozobo) Amabilo, Ndoro, Torugbene,

Aleibiri, Peretorugbene etc. The Ekeremor tribe has close historical and kinship ties with

Oporoma, Eastern Olodiama and Ogbe tribes at any point in time. The worship of the god

(Egbesu) is widespread among the Ekeremor.

Lawyerkeme, R. (2011). Ekeremor Local Government Area was created on

October 1, 1991 out of the then old Sagbama Local Government Area from Rivers state under the military regime of the then former head of state Ibrahim Babangida.

The tradition in the old Rivers state, which is still the norm Bayelsa state now in the use of acronyms for local government areas and Ekeremor Local Government Area is 28 generally referred to as (Ekelga) in the present Bayelsa state of Nigeria. Ekeremor Local

Government has twelve (12) wards, three (3) constituencies and with more than 50 towns. There are also some major towns in Ekeremor Local Government Area that are made development centers’ by the former governor of Bayelsa state Chief Diepreye

Alamieyeseigha, they are named, Oporomo west, Aleibiri, Oporomo west, Alabeni,

Opuokede etc. development centre’s that still exist with 10 million monthly allocation through the state government for even development.

According to him the aim of the entire local government council and the development centers is geared towards the agenda of the following programmes.

(1) To maintain peace and security in the local government area and the entire state

which will provide the basis for rapid growth and development. At the outset,

there was complete breakdown of law and order. The militants had overrun the

local government area, the state and the oil pipelines were vandalized and the

economy was in shambles with the attendant drop in our oil revenues and growing

poverty. The solution was to engage the militia by empowering them through

vocation skills training.

(2) Focus on youth education by providing scholarship and grants to this population

by making them to enroll in study programmes and training that will provide self

sustaining employments. This has happened in information communication

technology, diving technology, maritime studies etc.

(3) Ensuring that agriculture becomes more productive and providing employments

to our teeming youth using the private sector driven measures. 29

(4) Grow access to health by providing primary health care delivery system that

meets the millennium development goals and objectives.

(5) Grow and establish a non-public sector economy that is driven by enterprise and

corruption leading to an accelerated gross domestic production with stable prices

and full employment.

(6) Reorganize the land tenure system that will give hope to Bayelsans at home and

abroad. Also importantly making it bankable and productive.

(7) Renew, reinstruct and build our social and commercial infrastructure such as

power, industry, transportation, information technology, water supply, sanitation

and tourism in all our urban and rural settlements.

Pius Jonah (2010: 5). “The people of Ekeremor” posits that Ekeremor Local

Government Area historically emerged as a result of the cry and struggle in attaining his own local government area with difference personalities like late Dr. Mass Ebimoghan, late October Lokpobiri, Enai, Simon Ebebi, Etifa Aseyai etc. Which led to the creation of the local government area in October 1, 1991,from Sagbama in the then part of Rivers state of Nigeria.

Julius, B. (2008:2) “The History of Kinship in Ekeremor Local Government

Area” Asserts that Ekeremor local government area was a tragic that comes to be recognized in October 1, 1991 by the then former head of state Ibrahim Babangida despite in recent times as an enslave of social conflict. At any rate, the seeds of discontent to visibly displayed in the Niger Delta today were planted in the distant past, especially from colonial rule. Ekeremor people involved in widespread agitation over their perceived fears of autocratic dominition, neglect, insecurity and discrimination by other 30 rural government areas accordingly demanded for separate local government of their own and since Ekeremor local government was created many personalities have led the council area but still no meaningful infrastructural development.

Agreed with this analysis, Lawyerkeme, Romeo (2011). That since the creation of

Ekeremor local government area, several people have manned the office of the chairman in the local government area which shows that successive administration in Ekeremor local government council has left a legacy of corruption, mismanagement, suffering and lapses ever since its creation.

Gambiakeme, Z. (2005:1). “Politics in Ekeremor.” It is worthy of mention that

Ekeremor local government area was created out of present Sagbama local government area in 1991 specifically in other to provide massive rural development at every facets of life but the reverse is the case.

Shadrack, E. (2010). Corruption and local government administration: the case of

Ekeremor local government area. Provided that the creation of Ekeremor local government area in October 1, 1991 the following persons emerged as chairman and Sole administrators.

Consequently, October 1, 1991, a Sole administrator was appointed named Late

Dr. Mass Ebimoghan in a brief period. He started the local government maintenance in the district secretariat of Ekeremor town, now the main secretariat of the local government area. He administered the local council for about thirteen months, to put things in order and handed over power to an executive chairman named Mr. Dimaro

Denyabofa in 1992. Mr. Denyabofa took over power on the 27 th August, 1992 as the

Executive Chairman of the local government area under the National Republic 31

Convention, nepotism, fraud. During his tenure there was no fair management of affairs in the local government administrative system. He was must at times in Port Harcourt instead of the council area became aloof from the realities of the council.

He managed to lay down some structures on the secretariat and some of the projects were projected and completed and some were not. He lives a luxurious life, build houses at Port Harcourt and his home town with council fund, obtaining local government identification duly signed by the chairman of the council became a big threat to the people. His administration did not take the plight of Ekeremor people seriously.

There was no portable water in the local government secretariat and ultra modern market to mention a few. Funakpo (May 4, 2011). His administration manages to employ junior staff on a personal basis, there was no project being commissioned, his tenure and he was not transparent.

Be that as it may, November 17, 1993 late General Sani Abacha became the military dictator of Nigeria, he removed all the political structures in the local government level and in Rivers state a new Sole emerged in 1994. In Ekeremor local government council, he appointed Mrs. Beke-erebo Wodu as a care taker chairman. Her administration was not quite too long due to the high level of corrupt practices leveled against her within the entire system.

Then the Governor of Rivers State Col. Ikoro distributed five million naira to all the local government councils in Rivers state including Ekeremor local government area.

It was shocking to the governor when the people of Ekeremor local government area lamented that the said amount did not come to the notice of the suffering people in the area. No project was executed as she was only remained in office as a figure head. It was 32 later the announcement of her removal was made immediately and another care taker was names. Honourable Fetonghan in 1995. He was also unable to meet the needs of

Ekeremor peole till his tenure was over. Honourable Fetonghan handed over power to

Mr. Yinks Dumbo as an executive chairman in 1991. This administration did not record anything apart from the payment of workers salary. No project was executed as he only remained also in office as a figure head. He was generally accused of corruption, nepotism, favoritism throughout the few period he stayed in office as the chairman of

Ekeremor local government area, and his administration was not a success at all level.

Base on this, the local government area conducted a fresh local government election due to his maladjusted behaviour which ushered in Mr. Binakedoumene Dein as the executive chairman. His administration favoured only those that are close to him. No sustainable development project was embarked upon, management of affairs in the council were purely corrupt at all level. No transparency, justice and accountability but good in corruption, nothing to show forth until his tenure was over.

Furthermore, J.B. Ate the then Director of Personnel Management (DPM) acted under the capacity of a chairman for some few months before new election was conducted in 1999, dramatically one Honourable Christopher Enai became the chairman of Ekeremor local government on May 29, 1999, and in the course of his administration, he completed some of the building, laid foundation by those past chairman on minor projects within the local government area, he moved ahead also to complete them within the stipulated period. In the area of employment he massively favoured majority of the people in the entire system. Even as that Christopher Enai as a deacon distance himself out rightly from corruption because of the people he personally found itself with and 33 throughout his tenure there were no tangible sustainable development projects to boast of.

The chairman and his councilors, political appointees to a greater extent used the council finance as their private money to the detriment of the people at the local government system.

Comparatively, Deason Enai administration was not fair in the area of even development base on the huge monthly attractions over 60 million but no sub-standard projects in the area. There was no smell of transparency and accountability in his administration towards the affairs of the local government area.

While, in 2002 Mr. Philip Opomu was installed as a care taker chairman. He spent only few months in office, his administration was a manifestation of corruption because there was nothing to write home about. He was able to loot the treasury of the entire council and no project to carryout until he was removed unexpectedly.

Not long after another care taker chairman was named in that same year 2002. Mr.

Pius Jonah, his appointment was a greater surprised to everybody. His administration personally was self enrichment, he used the council funds to build houses at and his hometown. He spent the entire council funds as if he was spending his own private account, corruption did not permit him to carryout any meaningful project in the area, he believed in self on personal development which to the ignorance of the people praising him for self development and not the local government development.

Not quite too long, he was removed from office as a caretaker chairman. In the early part of 2003, the Peoples’ Democratic Party candidate Mr. Tobi was dramatically announced as the caretaker chairman, he rules per few months and he was removed from office in august 2003 as a result of severe political tussle arises between him and his 34 godfather the then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, His Excellency Peremobonei

Ebebi, until his removal from office he was a total failure to the people of Ekeremor. His administration was to buy cars and spend the treasury in an unreasonable way. He lacks the political and administrative skills method to practice good governance per se.

In 2003, another man named Mr. Daunemughan Donald dramatically was handpicked to becomes the candidate of People Democratic Party instead of the rightful candidate Honourable Robinson J. A. Etolo that was duly nominated to everybody surprises was replaced by Mr. Daunemughan Donald as the Executive chairman of

Ekeremor local government area. According to Ekewe (2008). Daunemughan administration was more less mere promises to every people in the entire local government area. His administration was worst as that, he refused to pay civil servant on time and goes on awarding contracts to people and refused to pay the contractors after the contractors might have used their own money to complete the said projects.

Generally, his administration was self-centered and he was impeached as a result of gross misconduct by the legislative arm of the council and he latter begged for pardon in other to withdrawn their impeachment. He also segregates himself from the local government headquarters’ and became Port Harcourt base chairman with the council fund. He was only interested in looting the entire council treasury and left his duties untouched to the extent that most of the civil servant do not see him even known him physically as their chairman because he was a Port Harcourt and abroad base chairman indeed. Along the line Mr. Donald was removed through a court order as not the dully elected chairman of the party. His administration registered too many lapses since assumption of office also he involved in deliberate and intentional exploitation of one’s 35 position, status or resources directly, indirectly for his personal aggrandizement to all cost. Mr. Donald Danemughan portrayed so much corruption which made him to be a master of corruption in the history of Ekeremor local government. He was a total failure and a corruption lover because the story of corruption in Ekeremor local government area would always sound like a child’s play when listening to the fact that a chairman who is able to build houses and lodge every hotel both in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa metropolis but unable to put a single development project .His administration of the council area can be represented base on the following formula: C = M + D – A. that is, corruption equal to monopoly plus discretion minus accountability.

The Punch (1998:4). Furthermore, there was serious political threat between the chairman and the councilors. Additionally, one Honourable Edougha from ward 10 noted that the chairman paid him and some few others a huge amount of money and also invited them to Port Harcourt and blessed them financially while other councilors were not which shows that there is high level of favouritism akin to corruption in Ekeremor local government administration at different systems of operation.

Moreso, in 2006, Mr. Robinson J.A. Etolo Daunemughan through court order as the dully nominated People Democratic Party candidate. Honourable Robinson Etolo assumed office 2006 to 2009. His administration marked a difference among the chairmen in the entire history of Ekeremor local government administration till date. He was able to complete many projects such as Governor Lodge, information technology centre, renovation of schools, health centers, secretariat. The people of Ekeremor local government area see Etolo as a transparent and accountable leader in respect to his 36 actions at different point and generally he was not judge with the issue of corruption as perceived by the entire people of the area.

In 2009, Benjamin Eyeoyorokumor was officially appointed as caretaker chairman, he spent few months in office but nothing to write home about except corrupt practices.

In the course of Mr. Benjamin Eyeoyorokumo administration in Ekeremor local government he was only found of tackling political enemies, he could not be accountable for his few months administration and he was generally termed as a man with maladministration. In 2010, Mr. Benjamin Eyeoyorojumo handed over power to an elected chairman name, Honourable Julius Eddy who is the current chairman of

Ekeremor local government area.

Since, the inception of Honourable Julius Eddy as the chairman of Ekeremor local government area till date there have never and ever being any meaningful development in the council area. Just as in the culture of the history of Ekeremor local government area the needs of the people have never being attended to since the emergence of Honourable

Julius Eddy as the Executive Chairman. The only hope of the people is that salary payment which has become the biggest problem which usually delay up to 2 or 3 months before payment is made. Often time the chairman will authorized the political secretary to sign check for the council fund which is not in the constitution but being practice by the current administration. Another area is the issue of contract inflation without embarking on any of them but go on destroying the image of the local government system. He was even invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission 37

(ICPC) on May 28, 2011 for questioning pertaining to the diversion of funds, misappropriation, contract inflation and identification of their contractors.

Additionally, Dr. Rose Abang-Wushishi (2011). Lamented that the issue of corruption is in the high peak especially in Ekeremor local government area since creation despite the huge federal monthly allocation to the council poverty was still endemic at the grassroots. This endemic problem of corruption in Ekeremor local government in the present administration made the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to create and site a unit in the Ekeremor local government area through the help of the new anticorruption bill assented by his

Excellency Chief Timpre Sylver on May 5, 2011.

According to the spokesman of the independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission Folu, Olainito (2011) asserted that tough times await

Ekeremor local government chairman and their principal officers as (ICPC) has beamed it searchlight on their activities. Findings revealed that the Ekeremor local government was created in October 1, 1991 and since then there were no meaningful development to show for it performances to the entire people and base on this the commission has started compiling list of corrupt practices in the 8 original local government areas and preparing dossiers on the council bosses and their officers especially those in the financial department.

Also, the ICPC boss Dr. Rose Abang-wushishi who spoke at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bayelsa state, added that the commission would focus on the council in its new approach to reducing corruption in the local government and the country. 38

She said, “we behave that if the local government performs efficiently and with integrity, the citizens will have a better quality, the citizens will have a better quality of life and democracy will bear the much desired divided from our observation, only a few of the 774 local government areas on our nation are delivering the dividends of democracy.

Local government communities are still living in poverty and are deprived of necessities of life. This state of affairs is attributed not only to corruption but also to lack of education, and awareness by local government leaders of accounting for their stewardship. Corruption is a very destructive vice, it destroys nations and individuals. It is a scourge worse than any disease that one cam imagine. No nation can deliver wealth, welfare, education and good quality of life to the people unless corruption is dealt with first. She explained that the town hall meetings targeted council officials and the people of Ekeremor at the grassroots, adding that its purpose was to interest and exchange ideas on the way forward in the fight against corruption. ICPC was said to be irked that council bosses could not account for the many billions of naira they received even as there was nothing on ground to show for the received sum. The body was reportedly worried hat instead of being an institution of positive transformations and poverty eradication, council has become places for a few people to share money meant for rural development. Members of the whole council boss and principal officers lived in affluence, the supposed beneficiaries at the grass roots wallow in poverty. To stem the tide, the commission has begun a widespread enlightenment campaigns in the rural area to educate the people on the need to monitor the activities of the council officials. It was gathered 39 that officials of the commission involved in the enlightenment exercise were using the opportunity to establish lines with informants that would expose the activities of the corrupt council officials. These and many more made the current youth body to form volunteer as a watch dog to corrupt practices within and outside the Ekeremor local government area, and at present. This body has massively been moving against any officials that are corrupt. 40

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Evilewuru, O (2007). The History of Ekeremor Local Government Area. Port Harcourt: Niss Books.

Gambiakeme, Zee (2005). Politics in Ekeremor. Yenagoa: Ebi’s Publishers,

Julius, Ebimene, (2008). The History of Kinship in Ekeremor Local Government Area Yenagoa: Bisi Limited.

Pius, Jonah, (2010). The People of Ekeremor. The Socio-cultural Perspective . Bayelsa State: Amely Limited.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

“Ekeremor Local Government Account Report Blueprint” (1997-2003)

“Bayelsa State Medium Term” Economic Blueprint” (2009-2010)

UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS

Adu, E. (1994). “Wrestling and Social Integration in Ogba.” Unpublished Undergraduate Project, University of Education, Port Harcourt, River State.

Kemepade, Ebikabowei (2008). “Corruption in Local Government Administration in Bayelsa State with Special Reference to Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Area.”(1991-2007) Unpublished.

NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINES

Banner News , August 12-26 2005

1zon – Link, April 16, 2004

Tell Magazine , October 17 2006

Punch , August, 16 2006

Punch , May 29, 2011

41

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Dougha, I Personal Communication March 10, 2011.

Gambiakeme, Z. Personal Communication April 26, 2011.

Lawyerkeme, R. Personal Communication May 20, 2011.

Pius, Jonah, Personal Communication May 26, 2011.

Robinsin, Etolor, Personal Communication May 28, 2011. 42

CHAPTER THREE

THE STRUCTURE, FORMS AND IMPLICATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN THE EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

3.1 THE STRUCTURE OF CORRUPTION

Basically, the issue of corruption in the Ekeremor local government area has the following structure and organization within the structure and organization within the context of its existence.

A. The Policy making body, which composed of

(i) The executive chairman

(ii) The vice chairman

(iii) The supervising councilors

(iv) The councilors

B. The executive body is composed of

(i) The director of personnel management (DPM)

(ii) Head of departments

(iii) Subordinate staff

C. The department in the local government council

(i) General and administrative department. Headed by the deputy secretary.

(ii) Treasury Department – Headed by the treasurer.

(iii) Works Department – Headed by the civil engineer/technical officer.

(iv) Health Department – Headed by the principal health superintendent.

(v) The maternity division of the medical department headed by the senior

midwifery sister. 43

(vi) The dispensary division of the medical department – headed by the Higher

pharmacy officer.

(vii) The newly introduced Farm Division to be headed by the Farm Manager.

D. Traditional Rulers – It is headed by an highness and followed by his council of

chiefs.

F. The Courts – The courts in the local government are magistrate unit customary

court headed by the magistrate and the president specifically.

This implies that the level of corruption in Ekeremor Local Government Area is

structures from the chairman even to the court level.

3.2 THE FORMS OF CORRUPTION IN EKEREMOR LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA

According to Azibola, Robert (2007). Corruption has made the Ekeremor Local

Government Area what is now referred to as an underdeveloped area and he classified the following as the forms of corruption. The public office-centered type which deals with abuse of public trust and official positions and responsibilities for self-serving objectives.

The second variant is the market-centered corruption in which office is converted to an avenue for the maximization of income and or property as in the case of the

Sagbama/Ekeremor road scandal which involved most senior politicians.

Other issues in the market-centered corruption include the creation of “ghost” workers, kickbacks and commissions on government projects and purchases, illegal oil sales like creating scarcity of products and cheap autumn of public property ranging from cars to seized goods, fraud, forgeries and graft, bribery or the use of unauthorized 44 rewards to influence people in positions of authority either to act or refuse to act in ways beneficial to the private advantage of the giver and that of the receiver too.

The third variant is the public interest-centered corruption which emphasizes the abuse of public trust to serve cliental cleavages, communal and other group interests, as for instance, the citing of the development centers in an unreliable towns because it favours the boss which many politicians in the Ekeremor Local Government Area moved against it.

Lawyerkeme (2011). Corruption in local government administration identifies the following as the forms of corruption in the Ekeremor local government system.

i. Political corruption which is large perpetuated office-holders and their

collaborators. The primary motivation is to require or retain political power,

e.g., through rute-buying; illegal acts directed towards the election or defeat of

a particular candidate; or the illegitimate patronage of civil service

appointments.

ii. Economic/commercial corruption covers acts and contractors in the local

government who are directly motivated by financial gains not only for

themselves but also to enrich their political allies, their military sponsors, or

the civil service facilitators who helped them to get the contract. But the

victims are the generality of tax payers and other citizens.

iii. Administrative/professional corruption which means that the casual but

deliberate and largely criminal acts by top administrative and professional

personnel. For private, material, and socio-political gain. Such acts include

falsifies accounts, embezzlement of corporate or government funds, padded 45

mileage and other false claims, fraudulent tax returns, and actions which cover

up professional misdeeds. It also includes the director even sometimes brazen)

demand for inducement to perform legally abound obligations and to the

detriment of the people.

iv. Organized corruption is the relatively large seal and complete criminal

activities perpetrated by groups of elite and control agents, loosely or tightly

organized, for the enrichment of those participating, at the expense of the

community and its members. Examples are hoarding, price-fixing,

racketeering, smuggling, burglary, armed robbery and 419 scams.

v. Working-class corruption is similar in almost all respects to the

administrative/professional type, except for the status of the perpetrators-

artisans, messengers, account clerks, market women and the like perpetrate

one form of corruption in the local government system.

Kemepade Ebikabowei (2008). The various forms and the instances of corruption that are being perpetrated within the context of Ekeremor local government area can be classified into the followings:

1. Bribery: This the unconscionable act of offering, the compromise of judgment standard of property. This is most prevalent type of corruption in Ekeremor local government and has been challenged of every government from top to the bottom.

Bribery is also the act of two or more parties who have agreed to convene in cheating the government or person to achieve a purpose without fulfilling the condition.

A situation where almost every staff regard it as the official language in government matters how can it be fought and at what point do we begin towards it. 46

This has been mostly manifested in the reward of contracts to some illegal, unregistered and competence contractor who brought their ways through the councilors so that efficiency is more a factor for and other principal officers in the local government has peculiar interest in contracts awards without following the provision of the constitution and guidelines. The council members, top officials of the local government infringe or break against any provision of contract award. They even at times present tenders in disguise with other contractors name, while they use their official power but also at a very exorbitant cost. By do doing, they gain at both ends of the deal while the local government is left impoverished and the people deprived of those basic amenities.

2. Embezzlement: This is a fraudulent appropriation of entrusted property. In this case, it is not only seen as a crime of financial misconduct, it could also be seen as property crime or a kind of theft where some property of an establishment defined embezzlement as “criminal violation of financial trust”.

The issue of embezzlement of public funds by both appointed official and the chairman in Ekeremor local government has been a notorious phenomenon. The local government chairmen hardly pay salaries these days, yet monthly allocations for the payment of salaries keep coming. They continue “kicking back and kicking front”, rigging of election at the local level. Spending money meant for the workers to the pressures arising from the extended families. And as such, little or nothing is left for the worker or the government, else after taking care of his extended family. In essence, most of the local government shares are being embezzled by the elected and officials of the local government and therefore leaving the poor masses to continue suffering. 47

3. Nepotism: This is another form of corruption in Ekeremor local government area, and it is a process whereby a special favour to a relation is conferring privileges or position. It is actually the unfair preference of relatives tribesmen, ethnic, class, family and similar biological or primordial relationships. This is one of the instances of corruption in Ekeremor local government area, the people who work in the local government are employed based on favouritism not on merit. This is as a result that the person on top is their relation and thus the employees should be employed at all cost.

Even when most of the staff of the council do not know what is expected of them as a staff. Most of them did not go beyond primary school, and therefore cannot decipher very well. They do not even know the function of the department they work. And these contribute more to corrupt act in the local government. In addition to the above, the practice of favouritism helped us to identified that the unqualified staff usually use wrong approach to solicit for people support when ever government intend to embark on a project that will need support from the different communities in terms of funds. Instead of appealing to the people to make them understand and realize the benefit which the people will derive from such project if concluded they use intimidation and coercion in the people. It is a known fact that intimidation can be counter productive.

Nepotism has affected the local government adversely another example was during the immunization programme, the health officer in charge of immunization, employ people he knows that has no knowledge about it. In the course of injecting them

(the children). The people wrongly injects them because of misfit and this causes great problem. 48

4. Ghost worker syndrome: This is taken to mean any fraudulent malpractice that is evolved by worker to cheat government through falsification of records, falsification of persons, the use of fake last paid certificate to transfer phantom worker from one ministry to another. This happened recently in the local government where some workers were deliberately pay rolling more workers that were actually working the excess amount that are usually shared among the colliding official. The worst of it all is that, there is not enough funds to pay the salaries of bonafide staff whereas few people of the local government enrich themselves with public fund. Nevertheless, the problem seems not to be gradually abating at present as the people do not show concern towards a string crusade against it.

5. Abuse of Office: This is a form of corruption whereby someone take advantage of one’s position of office for private gain. In Nigeria, some fraudulent executives will not sign any document for you or discharge any job within their normal schedule unless money changes their hands before such services will be embark upon.

6. Gratification: This is usually some thing given to gain favour, a reward, recompense and in most cases a bribe without working for it entirely. This some times, could transcend monetary or material favour and even physical favour e.g. (sexual relations) as a condition or reward for performing official duty. This can be found mostly among girls of the local government so as to get favour from their boss. It also implies the all too familiar “10 percent” kick-back on contracts, commission on contracts executed and other official deal, bribery of all kinds, gratification involved receiving or giving these favours in order to influence officials in the local government. 49

Corruption in Ekeremor local government flourishes and grow best because people believe that the use of discovering is low or virtually non-existence, even when discovered, the punishment is little or minimal or can even be evaded.

7. Over Invoicing: This is one of noticeable systems of corruption in the Ekeremor local government. By over-invoicing we describe the ordinate act or process of inflating prices of goods and services rendered beyond their actual cost with intention to amass the surplus. Usually, when this is done, the surplus is shared among the parties involved. This practice results in great losses to the public treasury while the contractors and officials concerned are rather over-enriched.

It is seldom to see a contractor who is innocent of the graft. This make life very uncomfortable for the upright minded ones who detest the kind of practices. Contractors are expected to lobby right from the tender are presented to the consummation of the contract. In addition, there are occasions when senior officers instruct the subordinate to apply for and collect money for certain purchases. Such instructions are often carried out only as it concerns the collection of money. Levy utilization of the money for the desired purpose unexecuted.

Therefore, Nigeria local government system especially Ekeremor local government is corrupt because the system under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable, our leaders are corrupt. If it is taken that a nation gets the kind of leaders it deserves, then by the same token, a nation also gets the kind of bureaucracy it deserves.

50

3.3 THE IMPLICATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN EKEREMOR LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA

According to Ken, Benson (2007). The practice of different kinds of corrupt acts and mismanagement of public funds by the local government area since its creation in

1991 shows that corruption in all ramification is in force in the Ekeremor local government council. Its monthly revenue that would have helped in the provision of some basic social amenities such as buildings, hospitals, health centers, markets, portable drinking water and electricity has been constantly siphoned by the political actors.

As a matter of fact, corruption has been identified as one of the major problems threatening the Ekeremor local government council since its inception in 1991.

The manifestation of the implication of corruption in the Ekeremor local government area are:

1. Under-development: Studies have shown that corruption is a bane to the

socio-economic and political development of any local government area.

Corruption in the Ekeremor local government area has eaten deep into socio-

economic and political fabric of the council, and money allocated for the

infrastructural and manpower development are always diverted into private

pockets.

2. High Crime Rate: Corruption in the Ekeremor local government area has

introduced area a high crime rate. At present, Ekeremor local government area

records one of the highest number of militants in Bayelsa State. Another point

that is again significant is the vandalization of oil pipelines which is being

carried out by the youth who are mostly from the oil bearing communities 51

such as, Egbemo-Angalabirim Ayamasa, Peretorugbene, Tamogbene,

Foutorugbene etc, whose development have been denied by the council.

3. High Rate of Unemployment: It is pathetic to note that inspite of the huge

allocation coming into the council’s purse, yet 95% of its purpose are left

unemployed. This is because after the payment of salaries, the remnant is

siphoned by the chairman into his pocket. As a result of this negative effect,

there will be no money to pay them even if they are given employment.

4. Electoral Violence: This is another effect of corruption in the Ekeremor local

government are. Elections have not been conducted on the basis of fairness,

because of the huge sum of money accruing into the council’s account at the

end of every month. Elections have been witnessed as a do or die affairs

throughout the history of Ekeremor local government elections because they

use it in other to gain control of the local power.

5. Injustice: Corruption has initiated injustice the magistrate courts that suppose

to serve as the last hope to the common man have turned to Kangaroo courts,

where jungle justice are dispensed moreover, the traditional rulers present

justice in favour of the elites, in this unholy act, chieftaincy wrangles and land

disputes becomes prevalent in the local government area.

Gambiakeme (2011) is one of the scholars who had a critical view as a former director of personnel management (DPM) in Akasa, Ekeremor local government area, that corruption in Ekeremor local government has a lot of implications. According to him, corruption involved loss of moral authority, increase opportunities for organized crime, encourages police brutality, adds to tare payers burden, undermines political 52 decisions and leads to insufficient use of resources and benefits the unscrupulous at the cost of the law abiding. From the above view, it is quite clear that corruption in Ekeremor local government area is dysfunctional and anti-developmental.

The implication of corruption also is that it bends the wheel of the local government administrative structure. It makes policy makers to look timid in taking bold steps to curb excesses of citizens. In fact, any government official who receives financial benefit for a contract awarded by the government would not be bold to question the contractor if the work was not satisfactorily executed.

The implication of corruption also weighs disastrously on the lives of the masses.

This is because, the masses are expected even in the face starvation, to offer inducement to those who control state power before they would be allowed to pick crumbles from their masters’ table.

Corruption also causes financial incapacitation of the government. According to

Leys (1965). Posits that if the political leaders consume its time and energy in trying to get rich by corrupt means, it is likely that the development plans will be fulfilled. This is true because the time that could be spend on the development of skills would be spend planning how to defraud the government and extort money from people who need the services or favour of the government at any point.

From this analysis he reviewed that it has been incontrovertible established that corruption has contributed immeasurably to the stagnant of Ekeremor local government system. Several years of economic mismanagement, misrule, abuse of office, inefficient and purposeless leadership. 53

Agbefe E. Oghale (1998). Conceptualizes the implications of corruption in

Ekeremor local government area from socio-cultural, political and economic.

(A) Socio-Cultural Implication: Aghefe outline the following as the implication of corruption

(i) Mass Poverty: Corruption in Ekeremor local government has helped to create in

the local government populace mass poverty. The money that should be used to create

jobs and improve on the loving standards of the people is being siphoned to private

pockets.

(ii) Brain Drain: Also, because of mass poverty in the area, many of our egg-heads and

renown professionals have been leaving the local government area for oversees in

search of greener pastures.

(iii)Discouraging Quality and Honesty: Corruption in Ekeremor local government lowers

the quality of goods and services and also discourages home effort and initiative.

(iv) Bad Image: The constitutional right project rightly described corruption as a rot

which has continued to make African state a subject of ridicule in the community of

nations. That is, the image and prestige of Ekeremor people has been greatly married

by corruption.

(v) Hindering development of social institutions corruption in Ekeremor local

government causes vast sums of money to be misallocated by public officials to white

elephant projects. Fund which would have been channeled into constructing new

school, hospitals and institutions that would save the most needy, are often channeled

into projects of inconsequential social value by officials whose interest is in the kick-

backs. 54

(B) Political Implication: Under this we have the followings implications:

(i) Political instability and breakdown of law and order-: must people in the

Ekeremor local Government do not know or probably under estimate the potency

of corruption as it relates to the substance of democracy. Corruption has the

capacity to cripple democracy. For instance, as far as hungry Ekeremor people

who form the majority of the populace see their leaders amassing illegal wealth at

their leaders amassing illegal wealth at their expense, there would never be peace.

And once there is instability and breakdown of law and order, the survival of

democracy in the entire Ekeremor area is in danger.

(ii) Damages government credibility and weakened public policy: Corruption

contributes to a loss of confidence in the government and a general non-

compliance with laws. It also undermines the legitimacy of elected officers and

democratic values. Also, corruption diminishes the effectiveness of public

policies. That is, it leads to loss of focus in policy-making and implementation.

This view agrees with Okadigbo’s analisis of the challenges of corruption to the

sustenance of democracy. While passing the anti-corruption bill, Okadigbo

(2000), who was then the president of senate pointed out “The senate in passing

the relevant bill is of the view that corruption is a complex issue that can erode

the legitimacy of government, undermine effective functioning of institutions,

and limit the ability of people to achieve result for their efforts”.

Also summarizing the political consequences of corruption of consequences in his article The Damage Corruption Does Oladipo Fetuga (2000), argues that, indeed, political 55 fall out from corruption creates a vicious circle of more corruption, instability, weak institutions, and even more corruption.

(C) Economic Consequences:

(i) Ineffective Economy: Today, our economy is ineffective as a result of the un- receding looting of Ekeremor local government resources and shameless floundering of the loot by those in government and their collaborators. Indeed, corruption has become a virus that has eaten deep into the Ekeremor local government economy. This culminates in breakdown and liquidation of government.

(ii) Business Enterprises: Because of corruption, many public parastatals that are supposed to be vibrant have been performing below expectation. Some are existing like epileptic patients, while some have totally become moribund. Many others seem to have become a source of drain on the economy, needing much money all the time but with little or no results to show for such allocations. Year in year out billions of naira are being lost in the management of some of these parastatals e.g. Aleibiri Rile Farm.

(iii) Deterring investors: There are no doubts that a great deal of direct foreign and

domestic investment has been eluding the Ekeremor area supply on account of

the global perception that Ekeremor and Bayelsa state are not a safe place for any

sensible country or company to invest its human and material deters investors.

Nobody wants to invest in any economy where they are not sure of accountability

and transparency.

(iv) Capital Flight: Corruption also causes high levels of capital flight from the

economy. Hundreds of billions of naira fraudulently acquired from the Ekeremor

local government and Bayelsa state economy are now resting in private bank 56

accounts oversees, where those who steal them in Africa have stashed them for

safekeeping. In Nigeria, the ones stolen and kept by the political class are still

being discovered in different parts of the world. One wonders what difference

such funds, if injected into infrastructure, have make to the country’s especially

in Ekeremor local area progress. One also wonders what impact these reports of

high rate of corruption have been making on the executive of the international

financial institutions and business firms with whom Nigerian states deal.

Thus, the implication of corruption are so pervasive that it has almost destroyed all aspect of our national life, be it social life, intellectual development, educational system, creativity, value system, interpersonal relationships and external image, both as individuals and as a nation. Relatedly corruption creates social disequilibrium, tension, civil disobedience, rebellion and even revolution which are anti-thesis to democracy and development to the entire system and area.

Conclusively, the menace of corruption in the Ekeremor local government area has been an open system of practice where the entire local government officials consider as a habit which leads also to the following summary on its implications.

- Leads to immorality, disunity, conflict, unemployment and finally war.

- Causes inflation and subsequent collapse of the economy.

- Causes carelessness.

- Makes the ruling government unpopular.

- Leads to coup d’ e tats.

- Causes frustration, famine and death of the valuable citizens of a nation.

- Causes brain drain and migration. 57

- Brings social and economic activities to a stand still and lowers the standard of

living.

- Increase depending rate.

- Encourage sycophancy

- Is bad governance always.

- Causes loss of life and property.

- Creates social and political misfits.

- Lead to Social and political marginalization.

- Fosters mistrust

- Prevents justice

- Leads to mass illiteracy.

- Leads to poor health and insanity environment.

58

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Agbefe, E. O. (2002). Issues in African Government and Politics. Warri: COEWA Consult Publishers,.

INSTITUTIONAL/OFFICIALS PUBLICATIONS

Aziba, Robert (2007). “Niger Delta Human and Environmental Rights Organization (NDHERO) Reports.”

Gambiakeme, Z. (2011). “The Issues of Corruption in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.” (Unpublished).

Kemepade, E. (2018). “Corruption in Local Government Administration: A Case Study of Sagbama and Ekeremor.” (Unpublished).

Ken, B. (2007): “Causes, Effects of Corruption in Bayelsa State Local Government:” (Unpublished).

Lawyerkeme, R. (2011). “Corruption in Local Government Administration: A Case Study of Ekeremor Local Government Council.” Vol: 3-4.

NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINES

Daily Independent , 6 October 19, 2007

Punch ; May 29, 2011.

Niger Delta Watch . July 17, 2010.

Daily Independent . July 19, 2007

The Tide: January 18, 2008.

Thisday . August 4, 2007. 59

CHAPTER FOUR

POSSIBLE MECHANISMS FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN THE

EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Bonga, P. (2008). Corruption in Bayelsa State Local Government Administration:

Asserts that the issue of corruption in Bayelsa State local government and especially in

Ekeremor can employ the following measures for controlling it entirely.

(1) Their should be need for NGOs and the media on capacity building and

empowerment: The media and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) should act

as the ultimate watchdog institutions by closely monitoring the political process,

party financing, the effectiveness of representation, performance of government

service delivery agencies and regulatory institutions. The private sector on its own

part, should support and fund the NGOs. These institutions also need to develop

survey techniques as well as advocacy and lobbying skills. They should conduct

annual surveys on the nature, incidence and extent of corruption in the local

government area. This effort will go a long way to complement the efforts of

government.

(2) Abolition of Corrupt programmes and Laws: The most viable strategy for

controlling corruption in the terrain of Ekeremor local government area is by

eliminating corrupt laws and programmes.

This can be due by reforming the laws guiding export or license. If the Nigeria government relinquishes her control over export business, also at the local government area, no businessman will think of paying bribe in that area. The same thing will happen if government abolishes subsidy programme as it relates to certain products. Regular 60 revision of certain administrative and operational laws that have become quaint, absurd and contradictory is needed so as to enable the workers conduct their business in a lawful manner.

(3) Classification of Regulatory Programmes: For a government at the local level to

function effectively, certain regulatory and spending programmes need to be

introduced and implemented. An example of such programme is tax payment and

collection. What is needed here is for the government to provide strong

justification for why they have to be and ought to be reformed, not eliminated.

Granted that must tax officials in local government exhibits corrupt tendencies,

but then stopping collection cannot solve corruption in tax collection. The ruling

government at the local level has to play in this connection is to clarify and

streamline the existing laws in ways that will reduce the discretionary powers to

public functionaries. One way of doing this is by reducing the numerous steps

involved in the tax system. The local government system should give public

justification to any new reform at any point in time.

(4) The need for a strong and free press: There is an urgent need for the media, as the

fourth estate of the realm, to strengthen its investigative and monitoring capacity

and foster greater professionalism and integrity, in the conduct of its affairs.

(5) There should be community/police relations: The police should be encouraged to

develop a community relationship with the civil society by having routine

interactions, which will create a sense both of involvement and understanding

among the populace and encourage accountability on the part of the police. 61

In this line, Kalama, E(2009) conceptualized the following means in curbing

corruption in Ekeremor local government area respectively: political control.

- Honesty and competent people should be put in positions of trust.

- Imposition of bye-laws are chiefdom level by local authorities should be stopped.

- There should be checks and balances.

- Punishment must be imposed on culprits,

- There should be transparency and accountability.

- A committee must be set up to investigate corruption.

- The Rule of Law should be observed.

- Justice must prevail.

- Democracy must be practiced at grass root level that is, local government

structure should be established through denaturalization.

- Members of the legislative arm, supervisors, should declare their assets before

accepting public positions.

- The existence of campaign for good governance.

- An effective anti-corruption mechanism devoid of partisan politics should be

affected.

Economic Control:

- Conditions of service and living conditions should be improved.

- Salaries should be paid promptly.

- Local and foreign investors should be encouraged.

- Adequate employment opportunities should be provided.

- Workers and employees should be paid attractive wages. 62

- The local population should have access to loan facilities.

Social Control:

- One should be self discipline

- A change of attitude from negative to positive to avoid bribery is necessary.

- Human rights monitors should be encouraged to work effectively.

- The citizenry should be encourage to be God fearing, to practice honestly, show

love and concern for one another, learn to forgive each other and be hard working.

- Corrupt officials should be punished at any point.

- Abuse of human rights should be abolished.

- Civic education, formal and informal, must be carried out.

- There should be no discrimination before the law.

- Respect for human rights should be promoted.

- An effective anti-corruption unit must be formed to monitor public

disbursement/implementation policies.

- The roles of leaders and subjects should be clearly defined.

- Civil society must be educated to understand the concept of corruption in their

various communities.

According to Ebipade, E (2006:10). How to stop corruption in Ekeremor local government area. Posits that corruption can be combated in the following ways.

1. Stopping clientelism, and “job for friends” supporters-only” policy in government – professionalism of the public administration is key .To work as a public servant in a council or other government agency has to be a career choice (why not for several decades), and should not be interrupted nor interfered by the political cycles (i.e. 63 changing presidents\parties). Implementing meritocracy in the public service is a way to motivate professional public servants to do a good job in order to advance in their careers. Investing in improving the quality of public management/public administration schools, would do no harm, in order to increases the potential of the public servants to be.

2. Restructuring the public service is necessary so that there are more cheeks and balances. Everybody’s work should be controlled by another agency or department that is not conflicting with its interests.

3. Transparency: Where does each penny go to? What is done with public funding?

How are decisions made? All this information should be collected and reported and should be available for outsiders and controlling agencies.

4. Allowing for “tell on them without fear of losing your own job” –policies If somebody is afraid that their job might be at risk after talking about corruption activities of their superiors, or colleagues, they are not going to tell on them.

5. Enforcing the judicial system so that officials, no matter what their range is, nor their status, get the punishment that they deserve, if caught doing something wrong.

However, Joseph, E. (1999:155) has articulated the strategies for stemming corruption in Ekeremor rest on the legal freedom given to the people to “whistle-blow” instances of intended fraud or expose fraudulent information about those in government and those about to seek public office(s). Thus, there must be adherence to the enacted bribery and corruption Act fully as in Hong Kong, India, Zambia, etc. citizens will only report instances of corruption, attempt (e.g. bribe solicitations) and potential problems

(e.g. a governmental function or process structure in a way which permits or encourages corruption). If they are aware of an outlet for the information and are confident that it will 64 be (a) acted upon, (b) without retribution. The American inspectors – General and the

General Accounting office, president Musuveni of Uganda operate tell-free telephone hot line for corruption and fraud complaints. Citizens need to believe that the media, the civic organization, the ombudsman, the electoral and security agencies, etc will investigate the charges fairly and promptly, and that the deed will not come back to haunt them.

It therefore behooves on the security personnel and the agency to be honest not to make cover-ups because the affected public officers/candidate is a relation/preferred candidate. This is so because security bodies cannot be expected in the run to be fully natural, for the fact that, human relations know no bound.

Also, government should evolve polices and conditions that would curtail undesirable elements from getting into power, i.e. before anybody is allowed to get into any political office, he should have his both parent: (a) know to be born in Nigeria of

Nigeria descent; (b) must have a minimum of fifteen years of remarkable experience in one profession or the other; (c) has never been imprisoned on charges of corruption, economic sabotages e.t.c. Consequently, those who have been found waiting prior to independence and thereafter through various probe panels should be banned for life from vying for public offices, it has been reveled that corruption and political crises have been nurtured by these groups of persons through wealth they required illegally. We need to employ the moral sanctions of the African traditional legal system. Thus, persons convicted of corruption should serve their imprisonment terms in the prisons in their communities. On completion of such terms, handed over to their parents in the state television. Similarly, those who have serve their imprisonment terms overseas should be repatriated and handed over to their families and such ceremonies relayed in national 65 television and state radio of the culprits. One recalls that when the federal government of

Nigeria during the Buhari-Idiagbon Administration prescribed that convicted drug traffickers be executed publicly in their terms or communities, the incidents of drug trafficking drastically reduced in Nigeria. Whenever, any citizen of Nigeria is found to be in possession of assets well in excess of his known legitimate income, any citizens should have the locus standi (be provided in the constitution) to file a complaint before a special authority established for this purpose. The authority should then request the person so accused to file a statement of his income, his expenses, and assets for verification. The authority should then investigate the assets income and expenses. If a prima facial case is made out, the authority can order the freezing of the person’s asset. He should then be required to him/her. But if he fails, all assets, the illegitimate acquisition of which the parson accuse cannot establish, should be forfeited to the local or state level.

We need to add here that this proposal should be entrenched in our constitution.

Seized properties should not be returned to the convicted through any legislative or administrative act, because it will encourage corruption.

Since corruption is also a function of the opportunities created, some situations make it very difficult for the honest citizen to act on his or her beliefs. The task therefore must also include the reduction of such opportunities, e.g. reducing bureaucracy. Perhaps most important, controlling corruption will require a public commitment to the belief that corrupt behaviour is intolerable. It will involve renewing the work ethic, respect for the dignity of every human being, contempt for wealth not created from identifiable quest, transparency and accountability in governments and building a new social order driven by values other than some of the prominent ethics of the ethos of the exact social order. It 66 is our view that where a moralistic political culture prevails, corruption convictions are more lively. The goal therefore is democratization, while the strategy is (i) mobilizing the people and making them vigilant against corrupt officials, (ii) re-orienting their value system against corruption.

However, democracy needs not be quick-fix, handed-own type, but one that grown out of Ekeremor, Nigeria history. Received democracy and authoritarian rule have emphasized dirigiste, top-down solution to public corruption. The belief has been that corruption can be legislated away, and that punishment or threat of it are enough to deter corruption. It has field, not necessarily because legislations and not enough. They were not also well implemented because of the client-patron relationship culture of our system.

To be sure, achieving this required necessary backing from the top. But more than that, it requires a revolution from below. In short, the fight against corruption calls for a partnership between government and the people. For this too, we need a people-oriented public force to effectively arrest and investigate cases.

Soso, T. (2000), on this part, sees the following mechanism to combat corruption:

(i) Exposure of corrupt officers and practices: The public needs to be aware that it

has a civic duty to blow the whistle on corruption and corrupt officers and to be

able to perform this duty, it should be entitled to unhindered access to information

on governmental activities within the context of the local government at any point

in time.

(ii) Code of Ethics: Civil society groups such as NGO’s religious organizations etc

must subscribe to a code of ethics so as to make them accountable to society. This 67

makes it imperative to create a national network for coordination and setting of

standards attitude of corruption within the local government level.

(iii) There should be need to involve the masses in the local government area on the

activities of government: Transparency is needed at all levels of government to

promote public awareness of the tasks, policies and priorities of government. The

programmes of government at all levels and their expected outcomes need to be

made clear. Also, any occurrence of corruption at any level of government, as

well as the cost of the system, should be exposed. These public enlightenment

measures are needed as part of an empowerment plan to ensure popular

participation. Government has to be accountable to the people, if it is to get ride

of the persuasive apathy within civil society. The mechanisms provided for civil

society to hold effective consultations with and monitor their elected

representative at all levels need to be published and strengthened. There is also

the need to ensure at all time, the existence of a regularly reviewed and

periodically updated code of ethics to guide the performance of legislative

functions. This requires adequate publicity to enable civil society to monitor its

enforcement. People must participate in the process of setting government

priorities if the masses are to enthusiastically involved in their execution. There is

a need to adopt such principles as participatory budgeting, especially at the local

government level.

(iv) Non-governmental organizations should play a key role in sensitizing local

government areas on corruption menace:- The material orientation agency should

work with the NGOs at the grassroots level in other to stop corruption to it barest 68

minimum. “Training the trainers workshops should be organized to sensitive

leaders of villages and towns over the local government area on political and

economic issues.

(v) Reintroduction of Ethics and civics into the curriculum: Civics and ethics should

be reintroduced into the primary and school curriculum at the appropriate levels

as part of the awareness drive to reduce public tolerance of corruption. All avenue

for creating public awareness must be used, e.g. churches, mosques, town

meetings, schools, clubs, etc. In generating pubic, awareness, there is the need to

build an ethos of transparency and accountability, which all sections of society

can adopt in a coalition against corruption, using the media and other avenues. It

will also create an enabling environment for youth development through the

formation of boys and girls clubs, libraries, literacy and debating societies, and

other wholesome extracurricular activities.

(vi) The measure towards pillars of integrity: The vision and strategy for an effective

anti-corruption drive should ultimately, evolve around certain “pillars” of

integrity such as professional associations, the media, religious bodies, and the

systems of traditional rule. All these need to be strengthened towards effective

and efficient fight against corrupt practices at the level of the local government

system.

(vii) There should be need for all embracing public service reform: The issue of

bureaucratic reform could be very useful at any point to the minimizes corruption

within the public service at the grassroots level. Corruption is most often

embedded in the hierarchical structure of the bureaucracy. Research reveals that 69

junior workers collected bribes and pass a share of it in to their higher level

officials. Reform is needed in the hierarchy of the public service to the extent that

embezzlement and misappropriation of public fund would be drastically

minimized.

Similarly, Ombu, L. (2001:10) has identify the following means of controlling

corruption in local government administration especially in Ekeremor as a point

of reference.

- The need to stop the desire in other to get something by all means – Some people choose to be corrupt because they see it as the easiest way, if not indeed, a bribe to the right person by some people may enable them to pass a contract or lawsuit etc.

So, when the desire to get something at all cost or means is reduced to the barest minimum, then the issue of corruption will not have it day.

- Strict adherence to punishment – Another reason why some people engage in corrupt practices is to avoid punishment at all cost. It is no longer a secret that many accused person offer bribes to policemen, legislators, judges, in order not to be punished, jailed or impeached. If strict adherence is imposed to allow breaker on a particular come then corrupt practices will be minimize.

- High level of employment and remuneration, better wages – There is an aphorism which states that “an idle mind, is the devil’s workshop”. The high rate of employment in the entire Ekeremor local government area, therefore has helped to plant in minds of our people especially the youth. Thoughts of fraudulent means of making the developed local government areas in outside Nigeria, many workers are under remunerated, supplementing whatever they are earning, either by crook or hook. 70

- The will to stop reckless expenditure of public funds – Reckless expenditure of public funds which includes unnecessary foreign trips by officials has been another source of corruption in local government administration. Bearing his mind in the issue of the malady that is corruption, Tonye (1999). In the guardian, blames it rises on imprudent spending by government, especially the process of anticipatory approval which is now, very common at all levels of government. Cases abound of many government officials drawing allowances for seminars they did not attend.

- Efficient contract award – Awarding of contracts is seen by many government officials as a way of making money. Amounts for these contracts are often blow up by the officials with a view of getting their own out of 10%. In doing this, standards and laid down procedures for awarding contracts are often jettisoned for selfish ends.

- There should be a wider distribution of the information in the rules, a better specification of the criteria, and greater transparency in respect of decisions reached and the institution of a system of appeal will help reduce the element of collusion and the abuse of the discretion that is built into the nature of the activity. For instance, transparency could be introduced in selection of a counselor, supervisor by first specifying weights for electoral and professional qualifications and the level obtained and making this information public. Next after an effective political screening, the merit list could be published displaying separately for each candidate, the qualification and grade allotted for performance in the screening. The adoption of such a procedure will enable each candidate to check if he has been assessed fairly, and whether the final selection was based on merit. 71

- There should be appropriate reporting systems and supervisory controls and legislation on people’s rights to information on decisions taken or actions initiated by the government. For example power corrupts when it is wielded without fear of accountability and reprisal. And when supervisors are in collision with their subordinates, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to have an effective arrangement for accountability. The problem is accentuated by the difficulties of measuring both the performance of personnel as well as the impact of their decisions. The problem becomes more difficult to resolve simple because of the lack of appropriate reporting systems and supervisory controls, especially of cases involving disciplinary actions take years to conclude or never.

In this line, Oyins (2004) contends that since corruption emanates from the top, it can be checked by putting honest people in position of authority. This statement, however begs the obvious question where Nigerians of integrity can be found. Also, the accountability mechanism provided by elections has failed to cleanse the system. The electorate, which laments the corruption of the present crop of politicians, has repeatedly voted them back into the legislature during elections. What enables the current system to perpetuate itself? Why don’t the voters (especially the less privileged ones) revolt and refuse to vote for looters and plunders and vote for those who propose reform? From the behaviour of the people it seems that they prefer to vote for someone who can arrange the most favours from the system (and these favours could be rights being denied of item). It is these expectations of favours in getting around the system that partly explains why the less privileged voters do not refuse to vote for someone who promises reforms mislead. 72

They have little hope that the system will never function in accordance with the norms of civilized societies.

In addition, low salaries coerce must public servants into corruption, whereas one would concede that salaries of public sector personnel need to be increased, one does not subscribe to the view that this measure alone will be enough for tackling the issue of corruption at all level of operation.

We undoubtedly need a significantly learner but a professionally competent and well-pain bureaucracy (less bureaucracy of course). Substantial salary revisions should be able to attract the more educated and enterprising young men and women into the public sector.

However, their entry into the public sector and domain is more likely to improve productivity and efficiency, a commodity also in desperately short supply in the public sector its impact on the level of corruption is likely to be marginal, without strong accountability mechanism.

Be that as it may, today the media is playing a major role in exposing corruption, there is need to restructure the NTA so that it is accessible at every corner of the area.

Brands of attractive programmes and informative issues should systematically be added and aired. It can strengthen the bands of crusaders against corruption by supporting and extolling the efforts of such people.

In establishing the validity of the issue of corruption in Ekeremor local government area, Afedu (2004). The delay in prompt payment of entitlements to retired public servants by government encouraging corruption. The problem is that when many of them are retired their entitlements are not paid on time. What some of them have been 73 doing therefore is to gather something for the “rainy day”. This is a device. So, while they are still in service, they try to use all available opportunity to loot anything that comes their way in form of money so that with this properly kept or invested, they would be able to take care of themselves during the waiting period”, i.e., pending the payment of their entitlement. So in other to stop corruption at the local government level there should not be any form of delay in the payment of entitlements.

Furthermore, there should be an effective implementation of anti-corruption laws at all point, because the failure of past regimes to effectively enforce existing laws on corruption is another reason why the monster has been on the increase. When those who extort bribes or offer them to gain unfair advantage go unpublished, very many people at the local government level would want to join the train. To support this submission, the argument of King Solomon as contained in Ecclesiastics 8:11, inter alias, viz. “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad”. In other words, if there have been genuine efforts towards bringing all those involved in corrupt practices to book.

Probably, the situation would not have been what it has degenerated today. Such efforts should have secured as deterrent to others at any point in time. On this time, there should be effective and efficient public face at the local government level, because the Nigerian police force which has the constitutional right to check and fight crime lacks both. The manpower and moral stigma to perform this duty. Corruption has been a major obstacles standing in the way of the people. The public are regularly at the highest peak as corruption is concerned so on this note the government should employ an effective and adequate public force to tackle corruption at all level. Another fact to acknowledge the 74 usefulness of the effective and active police in Ekeremor local government area to stop the menace of corruption is by the issue of tolerance in all level “people within the context of the local government area and the entire communities in the entire area because the issue of corruption is an all round issue which involve everybody for it final stop. 75

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Bonga, P. (2008). Corruption in Bayelsa State Local Government Administration . Warri: COEWA Consult Publishers,

Ebipade, E. (2006). How to Stop Corruption in Ekeremor Local Government Area . Avid Publishers Limited.

JOURNAL ARTICLE

“Ekeremor Local Government (eds). Public Accountability Report” (2000-2010).

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

Joseph, E. (1999). “Government and Corruption in Local Government”. A General Impression: Annals of the Social Science Council of Nigeria”.

Ombu, L. (2001). “Political Corruption in Ekeremor, Reading in Comparative Analysis.” (Nein Andason).

Joseph, E. (1999). “A Theory of Corruption, Sociological Review”.

Afedu, A (2004). “Corruption in High Places.”

NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES

The Guardian , March 6, 1996, p.7

The Guardian , October 9, 1995, p.25.

Tell Magazine , Lagos, January 30. 1995, p.11

The Guardian , June 20, 1999, p.20.

Newswatch Magazine . October 30, 2000, p.13.

Time International Magazine , June 20, 1999, p.13.

The Punch , May 39, 2011. p.30.

IZON-Link Newspaper, June 16, 2011. p.20 76

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

The fundamental focus of this research work is “ How corruption works in Ekeremor local government area, since its creation.”

First, in chapter one, the study focused on the trend of corruption in Ekeremor local government area which has generated a lot of concern to the entire people of the area vis-à-vis Bayelsa state. The entire work was critically examined using the Marxian political economy paradigm in (1818-83). The theory laid more emphasis on man as being an insatiable and unsatisfying and this approach enable us to know the real causes, forms and implication of corruption in Nigerian local government system through an holistic explanation and analysis. Both primary and secondary data were used and the descriptive methods were used to analyze the data.

While in chapter two, which is the geography and history of Ekeremor local government area were highly discussed and it helped in establishing the creation of

Ekeremor local government area in October 1, 1991.

In chapter three, the structure, forms and implication of corruption in the

Ekeremor local government area were comprehensively and revealed that corruption is being structured through the Executive, legislative arms, traditional rulers to the courts.

On the other hand, Osoba (2000) cited Robinson (1998), who has insightfully classified corruption into three forms viz incidental (individual, institutional and systematic) so this corruption has been on the centre which pervaded the entire local government system.

Therefore, it has also become routinized and seen by most members of the entire local 77 government area as a way of conducting business. Base on this analysis, Bardhan (1997) contends that corruption leads to high rate of unemployment, frustration, famine and death of the vulnerable citizens of a nation. Underdevelopment, high crime rate, injustice, electoral violence. Supported by Nathan (2004) corruption, capitalism and underdevelopment, contends that the issue of corruption negatively affected the local government system arising from poor health and unsanitary environment, social and political marginalization, bad governance, increase dependence rate, lawlessness, etc. The researchers looked at the possible mechanisms for fighting corruption in Ekeremor local government in chapter four which scholars like Ombu (2001) identified the following means in controlling corruption in the Ekeremor local government as: strict adherence to punishment, high level of employment and remuneration, efficient contract award, the need for wider distribution of the information on rules, the need to stop the desire in other to get something by all means.

Chapter five covers summary, conclusion and recommendations.

5.2 CONCLUSION

The Ekeremor local government area portrays the will of corruption in all facets.

Each administration retains the legacy of corruption, which has given the oil rich local government area a poor and neglected face. One of the main purposed of this study is to provide a corruption free administration in Ekeremor local government area, which will bring accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness and productivity in solving the problems of underdevelopment in the area.

This work has revealed the fortress of financial malpractices, which includes their inability to produce payment vouchers and receipt for verification over sums of money 78 already paid out, non-availability of revenue receipts, loss of public fund, and stores, irregular payment of impress advances as well as non-refund of personal allowance. Etc.

It was also observed that the diversion of public fund to private accounts and maladministration by the local government chairmen have made them unable to establish firms as business that will generate funds for the councils. In addition, corruption has remained systemic and its effect on the socio-economic development of the local government area has generated causes for concern. Finding the means to curb corruption to the bearable level has the concern of many scholars. The study discovered corruption to be highly multifaceted and multidimensional in causes and effects, so using the present institutional framework in fighting corruption in Ekeremor local government area and

Bayelsa state in general would never yield the desired result of a corruption free state.

The study comprehensively added a socio-structural reforms which will include the family, the criminal justice and other socio-economic and political institutions.

Base on the analysis from this work, it was obvious that corruption is anti- national, anti-economic development and anti-political development.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

Based on this study, the following recommendations is being considered, which if properly implemented will help to minimize the problem of corruption in local government administration.

- Institutional Reform – The functions and mode of operation of existing statutory institutions such as the state joint local government account, the office of the Auditor-

General for local government, state ministries in charge of local government should be reviewed with a view to eradicating collusion between the officials of these agencies with 79 local government functionaries. Specifically, their wide powers of control over the activities of local government should either be reduced or the exercise of those powers monitored.

- Reform in the Judicial System – The judicial system as it is at present run is too difficult and expensive. It has therefore discouraged citizens from seeking reduces and engendered cynicism among the populace with regard to belief in the rule of law. To effectively curb corruption, the conservative nature of the courts should be slightly altered to accommodate progressive ideas such as the adoption of information and communication technology in filling process and ancillary court business. There must be promotion of the rule of law by a demonstrable compliance with court orders on the part of government. Also, there must be an end to spurious injunctions and unnecessary any adjournments. These measures will restore belief in the judicial system.

- Review of Planning and Budgeting Strategy – The existing system of planning from above has failed the nation. Similarly, the existing system of budget formulation.

Ratification implementation and monitoring has only impoverished the people. A more direct involvement of the people in budgeting techniques and in the selection of projects for execution, as well as unrestricted public access to information on the finances of the local government will serve as a deterrent to corruption. Non-abuse of the monitoring powers vested in the other tiers of government and in the legislature will further enhance accountability and probity. There must also be a definite policy that will tackle unemployment; economic empowerment which will raise the standard of living of the people and reduce the burden of dependence on political appointees. All tiers of 80 government must also emphasize welfare programmes including social security

(Odekunle and Lame 2000).

In a similar analysis Ketefe (2003) contends the following measures in curbing corruption in local government administration and these are:

1. Reform of the political system – Politics is regarded as the exclusive preserve of

hypocrites. It is seen as an opportunity to invest and reap the dividend within the

shortest possible time. To reduce corruption to the dearest minimum among the

political class, particularly at the local government level, the rule of money in the

electoral process must be regulated by law. Executive posts should not be for the

highest bidder. The local government level. The issue of party politics at local

government level should be jettisoned as it once practiced enable people at that

third level of government to select for service, men and women of impeccable

honour and integrity. There are compelling reasons for reviewing the existing

eligibility criteria for elective posts, proven records of a successful career must be

included as a criterion.

2. Reorientation of value system – A revolutionary departure from the present value

system is inevitable if corruption must be curbed. What is needed is attitudinal

change, not noisy anti-corruption campaigns. Less emphasis should be placed on

wealth as a measure of status and traditional values system wherein sanctions

against deviant behaviour (such as ostracism) and rewards for integrity, probity,

transparency, the dignity of labour and social responsibility should be resuscitated

in the society. 81

Sunny Akpotor (1999), recommends the following measures to curb corruption in the entire local government area. First, reduction of electoral expenses of elected officers; the Nigerian legal system should address the issues of reparation of ill-gotten wealth stacked in foreign countries through international treaties with such sovereign countries.

Thus, those whose foreign balances are above me hundred thousand us dollars should be repatriated to Nigeria. They should be made to publicly declare and defend such before a court of law. This is in line with section is of the code of conduct bureau and tribunal decree No. 1 of 1989 which stipulates that every public officer will within 15 months after coming into force of the decree (January 1, 1988) or immediately after taking officer and thereafter at the end of every four years at the end of his term of office, submit to the Bureau a written declaration of his property; assets and liabilities and those of his spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 years. And since corruption is also a function of the opportunities created, some situations make it easier for me to be corrupt than to be honest, some situations make it very difficult for the honest citizen to act on his or her beliefs. The task therefore must also include the reduction of such opportunities, e.g. reducing bureaucracy. Perhaps most important, controlling corruption will require a public commitment to the belief that corrupt behaviour is intolerable. It will involve renewing the work ethic, respect for the dignity of every human being, contempt for wealth not created from identifiable quest, transparency and accountability in government and building a new social order driven by values other than some of the prominent ethos of the extant social order.

Conclusively, the researcher has the following recommendations in other to curb the alarming rate of corruption in Ekeremor local government area. 82

1. There should be full implementation of the newly enacted and signed bill of

the freedom of information Act.

2. There should be an immediate prosecution and conviction of any chairperson

who is found wanting at any point in time.

3. Strengthening of anti-corruption and other economic crimes institutions for

effective law enforcement.

4. Non-governmental organizations should play a key rule in sensitizing

Nigerians at the grassroots.

5. There should be exposure of corruption officers and practices.

6. Reintroduction of ethics and civics into the curriculum.

7. A need to involve the masses in the activities of government.

8. There should be community/police relations.

9. There should be a need to establish special court to try corrupt cases.

10. Declaration of assets by politicians and public servants before taking up

public offices.

These and many more are the possible recommendation that will help to a greater extent curb the high rates of corruption in local government administration in Ekeremor, because the issue has aroused many scholars to contribute measures towards the final eradication of it nature in the local government system at any point in time.

83

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Akindele, S.I. (1990). Nigerian Political Problems in Historical Perspective. Port Harcourt: Egbuwalo Publishers.

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Odekunle and Lame, P (2000). Fighting Corruption and Organized Crime in Nigeria. Abuja: Spectrum Books Ltd.

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Emezie, C. (1998). “Corruption as a Constraint on Local Government Effectiveness. The Case of Jemaa Local Authority in Nigeria”. Nigerian Journal of Public Adminstration and Local Government. vol. 9 No 1.

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88

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PERSONAL COMMUNICATION

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Robinson, Etolor, Personal Communication May 28, 2011.

INTERNET

Nigeria: Corruption and Misuse Rob Nigerians of Rights. www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/01/30/nigeria .

Corruption in the Local Government System in Nigeria. www.openlibrary.org/books/oli3166095m/c