ABSTRACT
This work dealt with the Assessment of Strategies for Rural Development in Isi-uzo
Local Government Area of Enugu State. To carry out the study effectively, the
researcher formulated six (6) research questions and one (1) null hypothesis. The
population for the study is four hundred (400) made up of both female and male
members of Community Based Organizations in Isi-uzo Local Government Area. The
major instrument used for the collection of the data for the study was questionnaire.
The data collected were analyzed by the use of simple percentage, weighted means and
T-test statistical tool. The major findings include: That objectives of rural
development; reduce inequality and ignorance; to provide basic amenities, full
employment. That construction of rural roads and culverts, provision of agricultural
activities, rural electrification, health centres and so are the types of rural development
projects carried out in Isi-uzo Local Government Area. That the initiators of rural
development projects in Isi-uzo Local Government Area include the community, the
Government, Non-Governmental Organizations, among others. That Government
contributes toward the promotion of rural development through provision of amenities
like electricity, roads and culverts, health facilities, water and so on. That the strategies
adopted by the rural dwellers to implement their projects include community efforts or
non-directive strategy, the use of direct strategy or Government, among others. That
the problems facing rural development in Isi-uzo Local Government include lack of
fund, illiteracy, power tussle/politics and so on. In view of the findings,
recommendations were made; finally suggestions for further research were
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page………………………………………………………………….i
Approval page…………………………………………………………….ii
Certification……………………………………………………………….iii
Table of content……………………………………………………………iv
Dedication………………………………………………………………….v
Acknowledgment…………………………………………………….……vi
List of tables………………………………………………………………vii
Abstract……………………………………………………..…………….viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.
1.1 Background of the study………………………………………..……..1
1.2 Statement of the problem………………………………………………8
1.3 Purpose of the study……………………………………………………8
1.4 Significance of the study……………………………………………….9
1.5 Scope of the study……………………………………..………………9
1.6 Research questions……………………………..……………………..10
1.7 Hypothesis……………………………………………………………..10
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.
2.1 Concept /Objectives and characteristics Features of Rural
Development………………………………………………..………….11
2.2 Types of Rural Development Programmes……………………….…..18
2.3 Participants in Rural Development ……………..……………………20
2.4 Government Contributions /Efforts Towards the
Promotion of Rural Development …………………………………….22
2.5 Strategies for Rural Development in Nigeria……………..…………..33
2.6 Problems of Rural Development………………………………………42
Summary of the Related Literature……………………………….……47
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY.
3.1 Design of the study………………………….………………………..50
3.2 Area of the study………………………………………………………50
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3.3 Population of the study – – – – – 51
3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique – – – – 52
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection – – – – – 53
3.6 Validation of the Instrument – – – – – 53
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument – – – – – 53
3.8 Procedure for Data Collection – – – – – 54
3.9 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – 54
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA.
4.1 Demographic characteristics of the respondents – – – – 55
4.2 Research question one – – – – – – – – 57
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS.
5.1 Discussions of the findings – – – – – – – – 67
5.2 Summary of the findings – – – – – – – – 71
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – – – – – 72
5.4 Summary – – – – – – – – – – – – 73
Appendix 1: References – – – – – – – – – 75
Appendix 2: Questionnaire
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION.
1:1 Background of the Study
Rural development in Nigeria and indeed in Enugu State dates back to the origin of
man. Man in a bid to live above nature, saw the need to develop his environment. He
started by taking care of the fundamental needs such as food, clothing, shelter and so on.
as time went on, when civilization started crippling in, men lived together decided to
improve on roads, clear pathways, markets and village squares. Even the government’s
intervention in providing the needs of man does not prevent man from contributing his
quota in development. This trend continued until this modern Nigeria.
This means that the idea of rural development may have started long before the
introduction of local government system or the coming of the Europeans to Nigeria.
Onyekwere (1987:7) citing Okunlola (1979:1) stated that self-help mechanism need for
rural development had existed in traditional societies before the concept of rural
development was introduced by the Western nation. Equally, the National Youth Service
Corps Orientation Lecture Series (1979:1) stated that long before the introduction of the
science of development planning and studies, many rural communities in Nigeria had
learned to provide themselves with functional and physical facilities by co-operation or
communal efforts. Also, Nwakama (1986:7) observed that for them to live in big homes
with large rooms and windows to admit fresh air they have to seek the aid of other people
or their neigbours. From the above, there is evidence that our fore fathers have learned to
come together to build roads instead of footpaths, village squares, markets and schools
through communal efforts.
So, when the indirect rule was introduced in the 1900’s in the country, the District
Officers through their warrant Chiefs did not find it difficult in mobilizing the rural
people for self-help projects. With the self-help mechanism already existing in the people
, warrant Chiefs were able to organize the people to provide compulsory communal
labour needed for public works. As a result, village groups provided compulsory labour
which was for the construction of roads, bridges, culverts and other projects.
In 1930’s, direct taxation was introduced, in which Road and River ordinance
of1920’s was replaced. Onwumelu (1981:4) stated that many rural communities
considered communal labour unnecessary and refused to provide further free labour for
public works. The rural dwellers therefore expected the governments to provide them
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with social amenities since they paid their tax to the government . through this way, the
colonial government killed the spirit of rural communities in rural development.
The government in order to reactive the spirit of self-help mechanism in people
introduced the local government law of 1955. The law empowered local government to
take full responsibilities for rural development within their area of authorities;and equally
promised to give matching grants and technical assistance to communities who embarked
on self-help project. As a result,the government of the then Eastern Region , backed its
promise with the Akagu experience in Udi,which was shut at into a film called “Day
Break” at Udi. The film was used as a public enlightment strategy and was shown in
every hook and cranny of then Eastern region . The film helped in stimulating the
people to take part in rural development project.
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1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite all these laudable programmes and polices initiated by government like
Directorate of Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DIFRRI). Better Life for Rural
Women coupled with the effort of Community Based Organizations in Isi-uzo Local
Government to improve their standard of living, the rural dwellers are still living in
abject poverty because the development strategies adopted was unable to address/meet
the needs of the people. Also, the development strategies were inadequate because the
local people were not involved in the project design, implementation and execution.
Commenting on the assertion, Ngwu (1999.24) stated that the approaches/strategies
have failed to address the peoples concern s, goals, and aspirations.
Although we have some strategies adopted in the rural communities in Isi-uzo
Local Government to carry out development projects, their efforts have not produced a
true and sustainable development because there are cases of abandoned projects in the
rural communities of Isi-uzo Local Government Area. Therefore, the problem of this
study is to examine the strategies adopted by government and various Community Based
Organizations in the rural development programmes in Isi-uzo Local Government Area
that have not been yielding desired results.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to assess the strategies for rural development in
Isi-uzo Local Government Area in Enugu state. The specific purposes of the study are:
1 To identify the characteristics of the respondents.
2 To ascertain the objectives of rural development in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area.
3 To identify the types of rural development projects carried out in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area.
4 To find out those that participate in rural development projects in Isi-uzo
Local Government Area.
5 To access the efforts of the government in promoting rural development in Isi-uzo
Local Government.
6 To determine the strategies used for the implementation of rural development
projects in Isi-uzo Local Government Area.
7 To examine the problem which militate against rural development in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area.
1.4 Significance of the Study
There is a growing emphasis on the part which Community Based Organizations
can play to ensure a true and sustainable development in Enugu state and Nigeria in
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general. Although some scholars have suggested the shift of focus from the government
top down approaches/methods in dealing with development issues to bottom up
strategies of Community Based Organizations as an effective means of rural
development in the country.
So, it is hoped that findings of the study encourage the efforts of rural dwellers
who are member of Community Based Organizations, as well as indicates those strategies
that are effective as a means of achieving good results in rural development.
More so, findings of the study equally serve as a guide to government and other
agencies involved in development activities with respect to strategies that can be
adopted when assisting communities in their development.
The findings of the study also provide development activists with information on
the better strategies being adopted by grassroots organizations involved in rural
development activities in various communities.
Finally, the study provides the much needed material for future research in
strategies for rural development.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study covers the objectives and characteristics of rural
development, the types of rural development projects, those that participate in rural
development, the efforts of government in promoting rural projects, assessment of the
strategies used for implementation of rural development projects and the problems which
militate against rural development projects.
1.6 Research Questions.
The following questions have been asked to guide the study;
1 What are the characteristics of the respondents?
2 What are the objectives of the rural development in Isi-uzo Local Government
Area?
3 What are the types of rural development projects carried out in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area?
4 Who are participants in the rural development projects in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area?
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5 What are the contributions of the government towards the promotion of rural
development in Isi-uzo Local Government Area?
6 What are the strategies used for the implementation of rural development projects
in Isi-uzo Local Government Area?
7 What are the problems confronting rural development in Isi-uzo Local
Government Area?
Hypothesis.
HO1 There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of the male and female
members of the Community Based Organizations on the problems confronting
rural development in Isi-uzo Local Government Area.
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