CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction/Background of the Study
Before the advent of the colonial masters, various communities were governed through the instrumentality of their political institutions and these institutions were anchored on the peoples habit of thought prestige and customs.
Local government is an indispensable tier of government in the Nigeria federal system. It’s deeply rooted in the law of the land and derives its powers from the constitution section 7(1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria states that “The system of local government by a democratically elected local government council is under this constitution guaranteed”.
It is clear that, local government is backed up by law and administratively, should have a democratic elected representatives of the people who are charged with the responsibility of moving the government toward attaining sustainability growth of national development.
Local government can be defined as a unit of government established by act of law to administer the functions of government and see to the welfare and interest of the local dwellers under the local government system (Okoli, 2005).
Local government has been acknowledged and accepted as the third tier of government in Nigeria federal structure. It is used to designate the effects made by the ruling elite to bring the government closer to the people. The broad motive of local government is to ensure grassroots participation in government and thereby encourage the growths and development of rural areas. The rational for this assertion is that Local Government is the nearest government to the rural dwellers and its has the capacity to identified their needs and demand than the other two tiers of government.
Local government is duty bound to mobilized the rural population for effective potion cal participation. This role is cardinal since it is constitutional function it has abundant and human resources, when fully mobilized will become valuable instrument for rural development.
The background of this study is traceable to the military administration of Sani Abacha on 1st October, 1996. It occupied the westhern axis of Akwa Ibom State and lied between latitude 400 , 35-500 33 East and Longitude 700 25-800, 25 North. It is bounded in the North by Uruan Local Government Area, by North East by Nsit Atai and in the West by Uyo Local Government Area. It comprises of two Clans, Ibesikpo and Asutan which was later merge together to be called Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Ibesikpo Asutan local Government Area is made up of twenty nine villages, group into ten political ward, with a fertile soil and favourable climate which promote the production food and cash crops.
Trading and farming form the main occupation of the people, the area has seventeen secondary schools, fifty primary Schools and thirty five pre-primary/ Nursery school, one secondary health Institution and five primary health centers to cater for the health needs of the people.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
Local government areas are created to bring development to the grassroots or rural areas despite their constitutional status and the clear delineation of functions and area of jurisdiction, local government councils have not been able to effectively administered the localities by raising the standard of living of the people. It could be insufficient fund, lack of autonomy and poor leadership. These issues provide the urge for this research.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this study are:
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Scope of the Study
Although development is seen in different perspectives such as human development, socio-economic development. This study covers the socio-economic development of Ibesikpo local government area.
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Limitation of the Study
In the preparation of this research work, various problems were encountered and the study was limited by the following factors.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Development: According to Nwankwo (2009), development refers in general to change that is continually taking place in man and his physical, social, cultural and other environment. This change may be beneficial or sometimes detrimental to human survival.
Rural Development: Maboguje (1980:30) opines that rural development is concerned with the improvement of the living rural standards of the low income people living in the rural area on a self sub straining basis through transforming the socio-spatial structures of their productive activities. It implies a broad based reorganization and mobilization of rural masses and resources so as to enhance the capacity of the rural populace to cope effectively with the daily tasks of their lives and with the changes consequent upon this.
Grassroots: This can be defined as the group of people at the local level that seek for the community development for the betterment of their lives.
Community: This can be defined as a group of people living together in a given geographical area that practice common ownership.
Administration: Administration can be defined as the arrangement of task needed to control the operation of organization.
Terms of Use: This is an academic paper. Students should NOT copy our materials word to word, as we DO NOT encourage Plagiarism. Only use as a guide in developing your original research work. Thanks.
Disclaimer: All undertaking works, records, and reports posted on this website, eprojectguide.com are the property/copyright of their individual proprietors. They are for research reference/direction purposes and the works are publicly supported. Do not present another person’s work as your own to maintain a strategic distance from counterfeiting its results. Use it as a guide and not duplicate the work in exactly the same words (verbatim). eprojectguide.com is a vault of exploration works simply like academia.edu, researchgate.net, scribd.com, docsity.com, course hero, and numerous different stages where clients transfer works. The paid membership on eprojectguide.com is a method by which the site is kept up to help Open Education. In the event that you see your work posted here, and you need it to be eliminated/credited, it would be ideal if you call us on +2348064699975 or send us a mail along with the web address linked to the work, to eprojectguide@gmail.com. We will answer to and honor each solicitation. Kindly note notification it might take up to 24 – 48 hours to handle your solicitation.