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THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREA IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF UDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ENUGU STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INDRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

This study is a modest attempt at a lucid explanation of the role of local government in Nigeria. Nigerian local government system have witnessed tremendous transformation since the introduction of the 1988 civil service reforms one of the changes introduced at the local government is the direct payment of their statutory allocations which was also increased from 15%-20%, in addition, local government auditor was established by each sates government to ensure proper utilization of financial resources at the local level to avoid misappropriation of public fund. Also, all local governments now have  a common structure which distinguish them from service department.

Local government  at any level have some roles such as; The maintenances of law and order, the promotion of economic  and social development etc. They are left with considerable freedom to actual will for the interest of the local community. Form the administrative point of view, the government as an agent of development is well placed to help the rural areas to develop. These can be done by investing in social and economic infrastructure such as; roads, hospitals, bridges, schools, electricity and telecommunication. The other essential duties inherited by native authorities include; water supplies, markets and libraries. We generally regard the convenience list as including those extra amenities which makes life better in the communities other than the stated ones. These include; creation of bus and lorry parks, the regulation of land cards on the streets, community recreation centers, parks and open spaces, grazing areas and fuel plantations, the naming of streets and the numbering of houses These are recognized automatically as the responsibility of the local government. They also help in service of parks control and water supply, electricity and gas, the provision of road of transport and any other trading undertaking that the state government authorizes. The local government also take responsibility for health orientation and drug supplies, midwifery services arrangement of health visit and home nursing to provide facilities for immunization and vaccination.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.    

The local government is expected to become more active in facilitation social and economic development at the grassroots level. The local government is a potential social and economic booster if well equipped. Although some factors like inadequate finance, lack of technical manpower, denial of autonomy militate against the efficient administration at the local level. The local government despite these problems struggles to maintain a high standard in socio-economic development. The researchers want to identify those areas (roles) that the local government has excelled in terms of social and economic development using udi local government of enugu state as a case study.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study seeks to look at the contributions of local government in the economic and social development of rural areas in Nigeria using udi local government of enugu state as a case study.

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 QUESTIONS

The research question will be based on the following; 

i. Do local governments have any role to play in economic and social development in rural areas?

ii. What are the examples of such roles?

iii.  To what extent has local government administration played it’s roles in rural areas?

iv.  What are the effects of staff moral in the attainment of development objectives in local governments?

i. 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 abith 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 rural areas 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 rural areas in Nigeria and to the staff, teachers farmers, businessmen/ women and artisans in udi local government area of Enugu state. 

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

This following terms have been defined for the purpose of this study

i.  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

ii. 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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