ABSTRACT
The essence of reforming local government system was to bring about
stable increases in the income, productivity, diversification of economy and
general quality of lives in the rural areas. But the ability of the local
governments to accomplish these tasks will depend extensively on their autonomy
and financial positions. The problem of local governments in Kogi
State is usually associated with by
certain underlying factors like overdependence on statutory allocations from
the Federation Account, autonomy, corruption, finance, qualify staff etc. The
objective of this study focuses on
finding out the
causes of poverty and underdevelopment in Kabba-Bunu local government and to
recommend appropriate solution. The data used for this study
were collected through two main sources, namely; Primary and Secondary sources. The primary sources involves use of
questionnaire administered directly to respondents and oral interview conducted
to serve as veritable instrument for collecting facts and figures while the
secondary source include: textbooks, journals, internet and conferences. to demonstrate considerable good
governance and affect the lives of the rural people through consistent service
delivery as the primary policy, Kabba-Bunu local government should minimize it total dependence on the federal
allocation, and increase their efforts towards generating more revenue through
the diversification of their internal revenue sources, minimize corruption,
autonomy should be granted.
KEYWORDS: Local Government, Development,
Underdevelopment, Kabba-Bunu,
Poverty, Autonomy.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title page ………………………………………………………………………………………….....i
Declaration……………………………………………………………………………………………..ii
Dedication
…………………………………………………………………………………………….iii
Certification................................................................................................................................iv
Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………...v
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………vii
Table of contents……………………………………………………………………………………viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background To The
Study..............................................................................................1
1.2
Statement Of Problems………………................................................................................3 1.3
Objectives Of The
Study....................................................................................................5
1.4 Significance Of The Study
…………………………………………………………………….6
1.5 Research
Questions.............................................................................................................6
1.6 Scope And Limitations Of Study.....................................................................................7
1.7 Organization Of The Study..............................................................................................7
References....................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature
Review................................................................................................................10
2.1.1 The Concept
local government...................................................................................10
2.1.2 The Concept Of Development.....................................................................................16
2.1.3 The Concept
Of Underdevelopment.........................................................................17
2.2 Theoretical
Framework....................................................................................................19
References.......................................................................................................................23
CHAPTER THREE:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….25
3.2 Research Design...................................................................................................................26
3.3 Primary Sources Of Data...................................................................................................26
3.4 Population Of The
Study………………………………………………………………………26
3.4.1 Historical Background Of Kabba-Bunu
Local Government…………………………..27
3.5 Sampling Method…………………………………………………………………………………31
3.5.1 Sampling Technique………………………………………………………………………….32
3.6 Research
Instrument……………………………………………………………………………32
3.7
Secondary Data……………………………………………………………………………………33
3.7.1 Significant Of The Secondary
Data……………………………………………………..34
References........................................................................................................................35
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND
ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Presentation..............................................................................................................38
4.2 Data Analysis.........................................................................................................................45
References ...................................................................................................................58
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1
Summary.................................................................................................................................61
5.2
Recommendations...............................................................................................................62
5.3 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………..64
Bibliography..........................................................................................................
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the study
A blue-print for social transformation and
development of a people should begin with an examination of their social
conditions and the progress they have attained in terms of human development
indicators. It is from such a concrete analysis that it becomes possible to
know where the people are and then elaborate a vision of progress and
development for the people in this case the people of Kogi state and Kabba-Bunu in particular Adamolekun,
L. (2006).
This study attempts to provide an analysis
of crises of governance and development in with particular focus on Kabba-Bunu
people. Its brings out a graphic state of ‘human development’in the state which
is part of the story of the larger Nigerian society in which poverty thrives in
the midst of plenty. The rationale behind this study is to highlight the
enormity and depth of socio-economic backwardness of the Kabba-Bunu people and
to provide a subsequent blue print for social transformation and people-centered
development in the local government area. In addition to the depiction of the
material social conditions of the people of Kabb-Bunu provided in this study,
the study also provides the state of social services in the areas of health and
education to indicate the level of
progress attained and the gaps in order to provide the basis for policy
response proposed at the conclusion.
Kogi State was created in August 1991.
Since its creation, the people have witnessed successive government, both military
and civilian. Over the period, successive government have attempted to harness
the material and human resources of the state to develop the state. This study recognizes
their good intentions and sense of purpose, but equally underscores the big
gaps in these efforts and the huge deficits in the development aspirations of
the people. This study will provide a summary of bad-governance and
mal-administration in Kogi State with particular focus on Kabba-Bun local
government.
Furthermore, a picture of the
social conditions of the people is provided
in the face of abundance resources and the huge statutory revenue
accruing from the federal government to the coffers of the state. It is an analysis
that seeks to bring into bold relief, broad indications of progress or lack of it,
for the purpose of addressing the
threats and problems that the people confront on daily basis.
This
study also examined the challenges faced by the state and Kabba/Bunu Local
Government Area, this has affected the general performance and the ability of
the local government system to deliver dividends of democracy to the people at
the grass roots.
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS
There
has been public outcry about the inability of Local Government Councils in kogi
state to discharge their responsibilities of providing social amenities at the
grassroots level. This is in-spite of several sources of revenue available to
them. It is in this regard that it is essential to investigate if it is the
inadequacy of funds or mismanagement that is responsible for the abysmal
performance of Local Government Councils or a combination of both. Perhaps,
one of the greatest problem confronting Kabba-Bunu local government today is
the lopsided and unbalanced development of the environment and how best to
improve the living standard of the rural dwellers. It is incorrect to state that the gross
unbalance and inequalities in the level of development between the rural and
urban areas of Nigeria is enormous taking Kabba/Bunu local government area for
example.
In
spite of all the orchestrated policies and programmed of successive government
in Nigeria. The problem of rural
backwardness and under – development has remained unresolved. This is evident in the persistence of
agriculture stagnation, hunger, poverty, disease, unemployment, poor housing,
under-employment, poor infrastructure facilities. Most of our rural areas also suffer from
inadequacy of social services, high birth rate and death rate, low life
expectance, malnutrition and Ignorance, lack of productive, technical and
managerial skill to improve production Gboyega, A.I. (1983).
In the light of these problems, the researcher is therefore boarded
and wants to probe into the activities Kabba/Bunu local government council to
know whether they are contributing towards the development of our rural areas.
Base on the forgoing the problem of this study will be clear stated:
·
lack of autonomy is the major problem of
local government efficiency and
Effectiveness
in Nigeria.
·
Corruption and bad leadership is also
one of the major hindrances to grass root development.
·
The lack of local government autonomy
hinders poverty alleviation and development in Kabba-Bunu local government.
·
Administrative control of Kabba-Bunu local
government by Kogi state government affect their developmental policy.
·
the high rate of financial crisis in
Kabba-Bunu local government is one of
the major problems for the inadequate infrastructural facilities in the local
area
·
Low level of democracy in the grass root
area also aggravate corrupt practice of Kabba-Bunu local government officials.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY
The
general objective of this study is to examine the causes of poverty and underdevelopment
in Kabba-Bunu local government. The other objectives include:
·
To know if lack of autonomy the major
problem of local government efficiency and effectiveness in Nigeria.
·
To examine how Corruption and bad
leadership hinder grass root development.
·
To examine how local government lack of autonomy
hinders poverty alleviation and development in Kabba-Bunu local government.
·
To know whether Administrative control
of Kabba-Bunu local government by Kogi state government affect their
developmental policy.
·
To examine how the high rate of
financial crisis in Kabba-Bunu local government
stand as one of the major problems in the provisions of adequate infrastructural
facilities for the people in the local area.
·
To also know how low level of democratic
practice in the grass root area aggravate corruption among Kabba-Bunu local
government officials.
·
To recommend appropriate solution to the
problems of Kabba-Bunu local government.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
need to understudy the abysmal performance of Local Government Councils in kogi
state and Kabba-Bunu in-spite of the numerous sources of revenue available to
Local Government Councils cannot be over emphasized because of the strategic
position of Local Government Councils as a third tier of government and more so
that greater majority of Nigerians reside in rural areas. Over the years,
government had set up committees/commissions with a view to bettering the
living condition of people at the grassroots level. Findings from this study
will enrich the current database on Local Government Administration. It will also
serve as a useful document for Local Government Administrators, Practitioners
and Government on how Local Governments could better be managed to serve the
purpose as enshrined in the founding documents.
1.5
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The
following questions are to guide the researcher towards finding out the
solutions to the problems of Kabba-Bunu local government.
·
How did lack of autonomy the major
problem of local government efficiency and effectiveness in Nigeria?
·
If autonomy is granted to local
government does that alleviate poverty and underdevelopment in Kabba-Bunu local
government?
·
Does corruption and bad leadership one
of the major hindrances to grass root development?
·
Did administrative control of Kabba-Bunu
local government by Kogi state government negatively affect their developmental
policy?
·
Did the high rate of financial crisis in
Kabba-Bunu local government the problems for inadequate infrastructural
facilities in the local area?
·
How did low level of democracy in the
grass root areas aggravated corrupt practice of Kabba-Bunu local government
officials?
1.6
THE
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study is set to examine the
causes of poverty and underdevelopment in kogi state but due to its broad
nature and the need for clarity of analysis, this study has been narrowed down
to Kabba-Bunu local government. On the other hand, this study is limited due to
lack of time, finance, transport, and other logistical constrains that might
have aided this study.
1.7
ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This study on the causes of
underdevelopment in kogi state is divided in to five chapters. Chapter one
include background to the study, statement of the problems, aims and objective of the study, scope and limitations
of the study, significance of the study, and organization of the study. Chapter
two includes conceptual and theoretical framework. Chapter three is centered on
research methodology. Chapter four is data presentation, analysis and
interpretations and discussion data. Chapter five is summary,
recommendations and conclusion.
REFERENCES
Adamolekun, L. (2006) Post Script
Reorienting the Leadership of Governmental
Administration for Improved Performance in
Ladipo Adamolekun
(ed) Politics:
Bureaucracy and Development in Africa: Ibadan
Spectrum Books Limited.
Gboyegga,
A. I. (1983) Local Government Reform in Nigeria, in P maw hood
(ed). Local Government in the
Third World. London: John Wileysons.
Nigeria, (1976)
Guideline
for Local Government Reform. Kaduna: Government
Printer.
Oladeji, (1995) Financial Management of Local Government in Nigeria. Ile –
Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press.