ROLES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT MOYAMBA DISTRICT AS A CASE STUDY
ABSTRACT
In this research work, the researcher intended to have a general discussion with local government as my background. But lack of space may not allow me for detailed discussion and analysis. However, all essential part of the role of local government in development of the districts in Moyamba District are discussed.
In chapter one, the study discussed the background the problem of the study, the scope, some research questions and research hypothesis, significant and some definition of terms.
In chapter two, contains review of related literature, local government, social and economic development process, characteristics of district and the history of local government. Furthermore, chapter three contains research design, area of the population and sample size. Instrument for data collection validation of instrument reliability of instrument and method of data collection and method of data analysis.
Chapter four contained the Result and analysis of data while the chapter five concluded the study.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
The district’s local government administration has matured, not so much as a result of its efficacy and efficiency, but rather largely due to its duration and resilience in terms of its significance to national administration (Igbokwe-Ibeto, 2016). The necessity to promote grassroots development drives the practicality of local government formation everywhere in the world. Even while local government administration has historically been crucial, it appears that various limitations have gradually interfered with its operations. These issues include embezzlement, a severe lack of well-trained and competent human resources, political but unwarranted meddling by the federal and state governments, along with high rates of bribery and corruption (Akhakpe, Fatile & obong Anwan, 2015).
In Nigeria, from the colonial era to the year 1975, the process of attaining local government administration that would have encouraged sustained growth was not clearly seen. The wellbeing of a small elite population that resided in towns and cities was therefore the focus of the colonial rulers (Akhakpe, Fatile, & Igbokwe-Ibeto, 2015). The numerous communities, kingdoms, and empires had developed their own distinctive forms and patterns of native administrations before the arrival of the British colonial administrators, which were able to fulfil the demands of their diverse peoples at their varying degrees of development. Greater socioeconomic and political growth may have been seen in certain regions of Nigeria if colonial administration had not interrupted the natural evolution of the people’s distinctive system of native governments. Currently, the once-vibrant and powerful level of government is viewed as an outpost of the state and federal ones. As a result, several initiatives and strategies have been used since the local government reforms of 1976 to improve the effectiveness of local government administration in Nigeria. In order to operationalize the local government’s third tier position in Nigeria and offer it a high level of autonomy as well as an increase in its financial distribution, the succeeding local government decrees of 1989, 1990, and 1992 were all issued.
The importance of the autonomy of such a tier of government with a view to fostering and engendering the desired national consciousness, unity and relative uniformity as well as preservation of peculiar diversities and the socio-economic development of districts cannot be over debated or stressed in the socio-political context of Nigeria, with its multiple cultures, diversity in languages, and differential means as well as needs. The ability of local government to enable a channel via which the government and the populace interact, communicate, and swiftly resolve or dissolve difficulties that may have harmed the system is, nevertheless, at the core of its design. Local government autonomy has been seen as a solution to a variety of problems faced by varied individuals from various cultural backgrounds (Gauba, 2015).
Any level of local government is responsible for maintaining law and order and fostering social and economic progress, among other things. They are given a great deal of leeway to operate in the local community’s best interests. From an administrative standpoint, the government is in a good position to assist the districts in developing as a development agent. Investments in social and economic infrastructure, such as those for roads, hospitals, bridges, schools, energy, and telecommunication, can be made to address these issues. We often view the convenience list as include those other amenities that improve living in the communities other than the mentioned ones, such as markets, libraries, and water supply, which are additional key responsibilities acquired by local authorities. These include designating zones for buses and trucks, controlling land cards on public property, establishing community recreation facilities, naming streets and assigning home numbers. These are automatically recognised as falling within local government jurisdiction. Additionally, they assist with the maintenance of parks, the provision of water and power, the maintenance of roads, and any other commercial endeavours that the state government permits.
The local government is also in charge of providing facilities for immunisation and vaccination, as well as health education, medicine supply, and home nursing services.
It is significant to highlight that, despite several reforms in Nigeria’s local government administration, nothing has been accomplished in terms of providing local governments with fundamental services that would lead to sustained growth at the community level. Local government administration typically includes implementing appropriate technology in agriculture, establishing centres for skill development, raising literacy rates, promoting rural possibilities, political education and mobilisation, providing information on rural resources, deploying technical assistance, and focusing on peoples’ perceived needs and basic necessities like the provision of g Unfortunately, local administrations in Nigeria operate in the opposite manner. It is vital to consider how to address this long list of issues local government administration in Moyamba District is confronting given the critical role it plays in development at all local levels.
1.2 Statement of the problem
We don’t have a lot of specific data on the contribution that governmental and quasi-governmental activities make to the economy, despite the apparent importance of local government in the process of economic growth and social development. However, it appears that most people think that this contribution is less than it should be. Furthermore, the volume of criticism over a long period of time implies that the current structure and organisation of government, particularly in districts, makes it difficult to provide the best level of services. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that rural administrations frequently lack the resources necessary to maintain these levels. Last but not least, they fail to meet the non-economic standards of “good government.”
In order to adequately characterise the issue, it is necessary to acknowledge explicitly that certain policy solutions have ideological limitations. Two seem particularly pertinent. One is our political system’s strong dedication to the principle of grassroots democracy, or keeping power in the people’s hands. Practically speaking, this implies that solutions that might otherwise seem to be the best choices could be disregarded because they go too far from the ideal. Decentralisation may require compromising other goals, such efficiency and consistency of service levels, in order to achieve the right balance since it is a goal valued for itself and not only as a convenient administrative structure for accomplishing other goals. The local government is anticipated to play a bigger role in promoting grassroots social and economic development. If properly equipped, the local government might encourage social and economic development.
Although some issues, such as insufficient funding, a lack of technical staff, and the restriction of autonomy, work against effective local government. Despite these issues, the local government struggles to uphold a high quality of socioeconomic growth. The Moyamba District is being used as a case study by the researchers to determine the areas (roles) in which the local government has excelled in terms of social and economic development.
1.3 Objective of the study
The main objective of this study is to examine the role of local government in the development of Moyamba District . This research is also indirectly aimed at identifying different factors militating against the effectiveness of local government administration and solutions to those problems identified. It will also make a recommend action on making local government an effective third tier of government and also making it a great manager of human and financial resources. The overall thrust of recommendation is how to ensure faithful administration of local government
1.4 Research question
The research question will be based on the following;
- Do local governments have any role to play in economic and social development in districts?
- What are the examples of such roles?
iii. To what extent has local government administration played it’s roles in districts?
- What are the effects of staff moral in the attainment of development objectives in local governments?
- Are there any constraints that militate against the success of development process of local governments.
1.5 Significance of the study
The need and important of the research is obvious. At a time when local government has come to assume on over whelming influence on the process of political and economic development, it becomes more relevant to examine much more closely the characters and dynamics of this third tier of government and to clarify the major contradiction that have tended to impede it’s capacity to promote development at the local level. However a scientific study of this kind become necessary especially at this time when the past and present civilian administration are particularly concerned about rural development.
Finally, this study will generally aid to the growing number of literatures on local government affairs more particularly on the roles of local government administration in economic and social development of districts in Nigeria and pragmatic solutions offered towards making them more efficient and responsive to the needs of rural dweller and also to policy makes and researchers alike
1.6 Scope of the study
This research area and dimension of coverage is based only on the roles of local government administration in economic and social development of districts in Moyamba District and to the staff, teachers farmers, businessmen/ women and artisans in the district.
1.7 Limitation of the study
The researchers were affected by the usual constraints and problems common with similar researches.
Summarized below are some of the constraints,
- Finance: in carrying out this research there was inadequate fund to carryout proper investigation in some areas that the researchers would have loved to.
- Time: The time available for the research was limited coupled with the fact that there were other assignment to do and exam to prepare for.
iii. Dearth of statistical data and information: As a result of lack of documental data and information there search finding appears to be written for easy understanding.
1.8 Definition of terms
This following terms have been defined for the purpose of this study
- local government: this refers to a government at the local level Exercised through representative councils established by law to Exercised specific functions within a defined geographical area
- development: this is a multidimensional process involving re-organization and re-orientation of the entire economic and social system in addition to improving income and quality of life of the inhabitants of an areas it typically involve radical changes in institutional social as well as popular attitude and sometimes even customs and beliefs.
iii. council: this refers to that organ which constitute representation of people either elected or nominated.
(iii). Socio – economic development: This embraces improvement in not only the standard of living and capital perinccome but also in high level of employment reducing inflation, advocate provision of food, high in frastructures, stressing value rather than achievement.
(v) Objectives: This refers to those things that the researcher intends to achieves at the end of the research.
(iv) Programmers: This consists of essential integrated series of developmental projects that spans over a length of time or period.
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