CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The expediency for the creation of local government anywhere in the world stems from the need
to facilitate development at the grassroots. The importance of local government is a function of
its ability to generate sense of belongingness, safety and satisfaction among its populace. All
forms of government, regimes or political systems have so far ensured the attainment of this
goal. Such strategy for ensuring national administrative development and political efficacy is
found in the concept and practice of local government. Whatever is the mode of government,
local government has been essentially regarded as the path to, and guarantor of, national
integration, administration and development.

In Nigeria's socio-political context, with multiplicity of culture, diversity of languages and

differentiated needs and means, the importance of such an organization in fostering the needed
national consciousness, unity and relative uniformity as well as preservation of peculiar
diversities cannot be over-emphasized. Central to the creation of local government, however, is
its ability to facilitate an avenue through which government and the people intermix, relate and
more quickly than any other means resolve or dissolve issues that may have heated the system.
Local government has been perceived as a panacea for the diverse problems of the diverse
people with diverse culture.

As important as this tier of government has been, there seems to be some impediments that have
been infringing on its performance and functions in recent times. These impediments range from
political but undue interference of the higher levels of government i.e. federal and state
governments, bribery and corruption to embezzlement and gross inadequacy of well-trained and
qualified personnel to mention a few.

According to Nnoli (1981:36) 3and Rodney (1972:11), all people have shown a capacity for
independently increasing their ability to live more satisfactory life than before. This is then a
progressive process that has no end.

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A local government is semi-autonomous territorial unit created by the constitution or general
laws of a state to undertake certain functions within specified or limited geographical area.
According to Agbakoba (2004:3), a local government is a political and administrative unit that is
empowered by law to administer a specified locality. It involves philosophical commitment to
the idea of community participation in government at grassroots level.

There is general assumption among scholars and practitioners, that local government are not
only established as representative organ but also as a channel through which goods and services
are delivered to the people within the framework of laws establishing them.

In fact, democracy itself originated and developed along the line of local government initiatives.
This is why the executive, legislative and judicial arms of these governments are elected or
appointed as the case may be. In Nigeria, local government is created to bring government
closer to the people. The definition of local government by the Nigerian Federal Government
leaves one with no iota of doubt that it is largely both theoretically sound and service oriented to
the people. It talks of representative councils with substantial control over local affairs, for the
provision of services and implementation of projects in their areas, to complement the activities
of both the State and Federal governments. The definition also amply recognizes the need for
local government autonomy as the substantial control of local governments is aimed at staff,
institutional and financial matters, among others (Nigeria, 1976). In addition to the above, the
Nigerian Federal Government is one of the few governments in the world perhaps in addition to
Brazil (Erero, 1998) that have elevated LGs to a third tier of government. By so doing, the State
governments do not exercise absolute controls over local governments.

Therefore, the work seeks to contribute in illuminating the actual status of Bassa local
government as regard community or rural development which it purports to be raison d’etre of
its existence. The empirical analysis will show whether creation of local government is really for
the sake of ensuring grassroots development or mere political compensation for the government
loyalists.

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Specifically, the study carefully, critically and objectively examines operational definitions,
local government, and development and opinion of the people expressed through the print media
about the effect of the Bassa local government council in their areas.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The need to catalyze balanced development, maximize citizens’ participation, and arouse
government response necessitates the creation of the local government. The local government
serves as a form of political and administrative structure facilitating decentralization, national
integration, efficiency in governance, and a sense of belonging at the grassroots. The local
government is a unit of administration all over the world (Agagu, 2004).

Local government has been the root of development in terms of dealings with the people which
democracy is centered upon. Hence, local government is visibly seen as co-agent of rural
development and as partners in progress with both states and federal governments in rural
developments.

To this end, this study sets out to investigate the effect or impact of local government on
rural/grass root development with emphasis on Bassa Local Government of Plateau State.
Knowing the roles the government needs to play in development of any society and the obvious
inability of the national and state governments in the task of rural areas, Local government has
been created essentially to compliment the efforts of the states and national government in the
task of rural development. Nevertheless, abject poverty and underdevelopment remains a
common feature in these rural communities.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of this study is to assess the performance of Bassa local government council
in the area of rural development.

The specific objectives of the study are as follows.

1. To ascertain whether Bassa local government has contributed substantially to rural

development.

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 2. To find out if inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified engineers all types, medical
doctors, etc) affect the ability of Bassa local government council in carrying out rural
development programme.

3. To verify whether inadequate financing by both state and federal governments hinders the
council in carrying out developmental programmes.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The study attempt to answer the following questions:

1. What are the contributions of the local government to the development of the rural area?
2. What are the programmes using by the local government to the development of the rural
areas?
3. What is the other factors hindering the development of rural areas?
4. Are the rural dwellers feeling the impact of the development?
5. Is the allocation of fund enough for the Local Government to carry it developmental
projects?

1.5 HYPOTHESIS

In the light of the research question and of related literature, the following hypothesis will be
tested:

1. H0: Bassa local council has contributed substantially to rural development in the Local
Government area.
2. H1: Bassa Local council has not contributed substantially to rural development in the
Local Government

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study has both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, the study provides a
theoretical framework for the understanding of the effect or role of local government in rural
development in Nigeria. Therefore considering the pivotal role of local government in

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development in general, such information will be of immense help for policy formulation on the
development of grassroots. The result of the study will equally be of help to other researchers
who may want to research on such topic or related topics on development in the academia in the
future.

On the practical significance, the study will draw attention of, and enlighten both the
stakeholders and those who implement policies on rural development in Nigeria who may not
really understand the central role of rural development on the crucial and inescapable role of
local government system. As a result, the rural dwellers will endeavour to participate fully in
grassroots democratization and development, while those who implement policy on
development in Nigeria will become dedicated to policy formulation, recommendations and
implementation.

1.7 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will focus on the creation of Local Government and its effect of rural development
using Bassa Local government area of Plateau State as a case study.

The research will be limited only to the activities of the local government to the development of
the rural areas.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF CONCEPT

Grassroots/Rural development: According to Todaro (1985) grassroots development is an

advancement that makes life more meaningful in all its entirety. Whether political, economic,
socio-cultural and infrastructural.

Rural development: Rural development is a strategy designed to improve the economic and
social life of specific group of people. It’s also an effort toward increasing the pre-capital
income and standard of living of the rural population.

Effect: The major effect of the rural under development is rural urban migration which is fast
reducing the active population which constitute the people of Bassa Local Government

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Democracy/local government: The term democracy “literally signifies” the rule of the people:
the term democracy as it is used in the study synchronizes with Abraham Lincoln’s definition of
democracy. Gauba (1981:421) quoting Lincoln and it reads: Democracy is the government of
the people by the people and for the people.

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 CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE
2.1 THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The theory which informs our discussion of local government and rural development, a study of
Bassa North local government council is the general systems theory.

2.1.1 General Systems Theory

The scholar most associated with this theory is Easton (1965) “sees the political system as a set of
interrelated and reciprocally regulated patterns of actions and orientation, pattern that cluster
together in equilibrium and that have certain needs of maintenance and survival. It is a
phenomenon of whatever type, including physical, biological, social, political, etc., which is an
organized whole with identifiable, interrelated structures delineating it from the environment
(supra system) in which it is located and with which it interacts, processing the inputs from it into
outputs for it.

The general systems theory seeks to argue that every system, including political system, has
subsystems which make up the entire system. They are assigned functions and provided with
enabling empowerment, including resources, appropriate authority, etc. to enable them discharge
their responsibilities optimally. Where this is the case, there is said to be homeostasis (stability) in
the political system. On the other hand, instability reigns in the political system where the contrary
is the case and the subsystems and entire system are also unable to function optimally.

Input and output analysis of a political system is very important. A political system is said to
obtain its inputs (demands, supports, liberty or autonomy, cooperation, criticisms, resources,
information, direct labour, etc.) from the environment. These inputs are what the subsystems
employ to discharge their responsibilities, so that the political system can send out its outputs into
the environment and obtain further inputs for its operations.

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2.1.2 Application of the theory

Applying this theory of the systems analysis to the local government system, the local
government system in the country constitutes the sub-system. They must be well handled in
terms of being fed with adequate inputs, so that they can contribute appropriately to the
optimality of the whole (country) political system, as well as its homeostasis.

According Apter (1963:15) the political system has two elements viz input (made up of
demand support) and output (made up of authoritative decisions). By input, he meant those
factors which emanated from the environment and go into decision making. They are those
demands that come out from the society. Outputs are results that emanates from the demand
and support made at the level of input.

Bassa local government council is a system which carries out these functions by receiving
inputs from the people and converting it into output. The citizens are involved in such
demands above. This demand on the system is in inform of appeal to the council authority to
provide some basic infrastructure like good road network, pipe borne water, health facilities,
ultra-modern markets etc. Support on the other hand could be people’s participation in
decision making process or voting in community development project as well as financial
support, in form of tax, rates paid by the people including grant from Plateau State and Federal
Government of Nigeria. Though, this means they provide raw material on which the system
acts, so as to produce output. This in turn will influence the environment of the system and
consequently generate continued demand which in turn creates a feedback and the whole
process continues on a cyclical pattern.

2.2 CONCEPT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In its fourth schedule, Section 7(2), the 1999 constitution sets out the functions of local
government in Nigeria. In theory, therefore, local government is a unit of government with
defined powers and authority, and relative autonomy.

Local government is door step government to the local people.

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Local government is responsible towards the local people.

Local government is democratic and promotes democratization.

In political term, it is concerned with the governance of a specific local area, constituting
political sub division of a nation, state or other major political unit. The local government is
administrative body for a small geographic area, such as a city, town, county, or state. A local
government will typically only have control over their specific geographical region, and
cannot pass or enforce laws that will affect a wider area.

Local governments can elect officials, enact taxes, and do many other things that a national
government would do, just on a smaller scale. Local government is the system of electing
representatives to be responsible for the administration of public services and facilities in a
particular area.

The concept local government:

 Local government is door step government to the local people.

 Local government is responsible towards the local people.
 Local government is democratic and promotes democratization.
 Local government is multi-dimensional phenomena.
 Local government is basically an organization as a social entity with feeling of oneness.
 Local government is the system of government.
 Local governance and decentralization are interrelated.
 The system of local governance indicates that system of government which promotes
the people's participation in each and every activity of government.
 The aim of local governance is to empower local people and it ensures the citizen
participation into the governing system of local government.
 It creates an environment for healthy growth of political parties and helps to produce
the capable and experienced future leaders at local level

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  Under democratic regime, people's participation is help to solve diverse types of local
problems.
 Promotes the national integration, creates sense of belongingness and help to solve
verities of local issues such as poverty, underdevelopment, condition of exploitation.
 Local self-government denotes right and the ability of local authorities within the limits
of law, to regulate and manage a substantial share of public affairs under their own
responsibilities and the interest of local population.
 Local self-government offers the best opportunity to the people to bring knowledge,
interest and enthusiasm to bear on the solution of their own local problem.
 Local government is ancient institution with modern concept.
 Traditionally, the local government institutions have been appointed by the central
government, enhanced administrative task only.
 In modern local government institutions has performed multi-faceted functions. They
performed political, economic, social- cultural and administrative functions.
 They are directly responsible towards the local people as well as central government.
 They are recognized as the autonomous body. The local government's capacity level is
determined by the context where and when it operates and the content what is has to do
to accomplish the desire goals.
 Local government around world has been undergoing a process of change over the last
ten or twenty years.
 This process is the result of external changes over which individual local government
have had little influence: increasing economic interdependence; the process of
globalization; changing technologies or the fall of communism.
 Privatization, restructuring of the local government system, changing inter
governmental relations are the other causes.

According to the service delivery approach, the local government:

1. Provides an opportunity for political participation.

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 2. Helps to ensure efficient service delivery.

3. Expresses a tradition of opposition to an overly centralized government.

A local government is a relatively autonomous, multi-purpose institution providing a range of

services, with a tax-raising capacity, and is controlled through the election of representatives to
oversee the work of full-time officials.

2.2.1 Reasons for Creation of Local Government

The followings outlined points are the reasons for the creation of local government; Local
governments are established for a number of reasons which are:

1. Bringing the Government Nearer to the People:

Local governments are created so that those at the grassroots will be part of the government.

The primary reason of establishing a local government is to decentralize the functions and
powers of government to ensure that more people participate in the process of governance.
When government is decentralized, it checks over-centralization of powers and the
concomitant abuse of powers and inefficiency in the provision of services.

2. Employment:

Employment and job opportunities are provided at the local level.

3. Local Participation:

It provides opportunities for the local people to participate in the politics of their country.

A local government provides a forum for potential politicians to start to learn the techniques
and skills of politics. During local government elections they learn how to campaign and
contest elections. In the local government council meetings, councilors learn how to serve in
communities, how to preside over committees. They also learn how to represent wards

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functionally. With these experiences they can graduate to perform effectively at the national
level in politics.

4. Even Development:

Creation of local governments provides the avenue for even development of all parts of the
country.

A local government is generally regarded as a powerful instrument for community

development. Through the local government system, the entire nation is broken into small
local government areas. These areas constitute centers for development at the grassroots level.
The areas serve as units for equitable sharing of government amenities.

5. Diverse Interests:

The interests of the local people differ and the creation of local governments is seen as one
way to cater for these interests.

Various communities within a state differ in their culture, tradition and needs. Through the
local government system, these variations are recognized and provided for. Local governments
are structured to take into account the traditional political organization and culture of the
people. Adequate attention is paid to providing adequately for the peculiarities of various areas
in the nation.

6. Provision of services at the appropriate level:

Local services are better provided at a level where they can be effectively utilized. Local
knowledge of certain local services which are needed in certain areas is essential for effective
provision of such services; local people possess the capability of identifying their local needs
well and devising appropriate means and strategy for satisfying them. The federal government
is too far away to accurately judge both the problems of the local people and the means of
solving them.

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7. Exploitation of Local Resources through Self-Help

In some countries, local government serves as effective means of exploiting and harnessing
local resources through self-help efforts. Local government serves as instruments of
mobilization of the people for community development. The people levy themselves in order
to provide certain essential services such as good roads, water supply, schools and colleges.
Community leaders and professionals offer their specialized knowledge and skills free of
charge through self-help programmes.

8. Experimentation of Policies:

As local government areas are small, they provide appropriate experimentation grounds. This
means that certain policies of government can be tested in certain selected local government
areas. If the test proves successful, it could be executed on a national scale. But if the
experimentation fails, then the policy is quickly dropped without much loss of resources.

9. Communication link and citizenship training:

A local government serves as a tow-way communication link between the government and the
people. The government, through the local government educates the people on what the
government has done; the problems of government and what the government expects the
people to do.

On the other hand, the people inform the government of their needs, aspirations and problems
through the local government. The local government headquarters serves as an information
centre for the local inhabitants, through such information’s, citizens acquires more valuable
citizenship training.

2.2.2 Importance of the local government:

The local government is very important notion for the contemporary society for the
sustainable development of entire nation because of the following peculiarities of the local
government.

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 Has the local authority. Management or governance of a certain locality is made by a
body composed of persons directly elected by the people of that area. This
representative body is responsible for the administration of local affairs in that area.
 Provides public services for residents of the area within its jurisdiction, which is the
main goal of this government.
 Local finances. In order to provide services and perform functions effectively, it is
imperative that the local unit has its own finances. Because the services it provides to
citizens should be financially covered. These finances can be obtained from local taxes
but also from state subsidies.
 Local autonomy. This means that the local government has the right to establish and
operate in the activities and functions that are recognized by law. It also includes the
legal right of local residents to choose their representatives that will govern the territory
under the set laws. It should be noted that autonomy does not mean sovereignty over
these bodies, as belonging and legally depending on state structures.
 Local Participation. The success or failure of the development plans of the territory it
relates to how much active participation of the local people is there. Through this
government it is sought greater participation of people who are given the opportunity to
participate in the decision making process. It’s a condition that, if a goal to be achieved,
then the participation of the public should be necessarily.
 Local Leadership. Usually people who deal with local governments, especially in rural
areas, are characterized by a lack of experience, professionalism. Therefore, they should
be provided with leadership-management skills in order to develop various projects
initiated.
 Local accountability. This means that local representatives of the people are elected by
them to meet the ultimate goal that is to provide services in the most effective manner
possible. If this is not achieved, then the vote of the people makes them to not be re-
elected at the next election.
 Local development. This is very important feature, because the primary goal is the
development of local government within the area which exercises jurisdiction.

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The importance of this government is primarily in support of democracy. As if democracy is to
function properly, then it is necessary the participation of as many citizens in the decision
making process. Progress achieved on the basis of these methods is more solid and democratic
than that achieved over the communist totalitarian methods.

Secondly, the local government can create future leaders. This means that local government is
a training period and effective enough to gain experience and knowledge on the art of
government policy-making and governance transition to nationwide. This has happened in our
country, where yesterday’s mayors have used their position as a springboard to move to the
party leadership or central governments. This underlines once again that the best school of
democracy and the best guarantee for success is the practice in local government.

Thirdly, its importance lies in the fact that manages much better and more efficiently the local
affairs as it is closer to the needs of citizens.

Finally, its importance lies in the fact that it serves as a communication tool and an
intermediary between the central government and the people or community. Thus
requirements of citizens are transmitted to the central government by local government bodies
and on the other hand the central government policies are made known to the public through
local government organs. This two-way relationship makes possible a close relationship
between people and high levels of government.

More specifically the importance of local government is as follows:

 To Promote the Democracy

 For the development
 For effective service Delivery
 To empowerment
 To promote the people’s participation
 To make the policy decisions
 To make the institutionalization of inclusiveness

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  For the dispute resolution
 Effective utilization of resources
 To create the feelings for door step government
 To perform the role of Central government
 For sustainable Development
 Makes the bridge between central government and people

2.2.3 Problems of Local Government

The Local Government is the third tier of government. It was created to bring government
closer to the grassroots and give the people a sense of belonging. There are 774 Local
Government Areas in Nigeria. There are so many problems facing this tier which we shall
discuss.

1. The Constitution

The Nigerian Constitution has undergone a lot of reviews through the years but unfortunately,
it has failed to address the major problems of the local Government which include:
Qualification and Tenure of Chairmen And Councillors, Removal Process, Local Government

16
creation processes, operation of the Local government Services Commission, Qualifications of
Employees, amongst others.

There is no clear distinction of the constitutional powers and boundaries of both the State and
Federal Governments as it affects the establishment and operations of the Local Governments.
We see these other tiers of government encroaching on some of the functions of the Local
Government.

Creation of the State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA) as noted under Section 162
(6) of the 1999 Constitution states that “Each State shall maintain a Special Account to be
called “State Joint Account” into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government
Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State” has
made the search for financial autonomy almost impossible as the Local Government depend on
the other tiers for funds.

2. Legality: Section 7(1) of the 1999 constitution provides that: “The system of local
government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution
guaranteed; and accordingly, the government of every state shall, subject to section 8 of this
constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment,
structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”.

This law strips the local government off all powers and places those powers on the state
government but this is in sharp contrast to the state and Federal level which are well provided
for. If this was well streamlined, we will not have the many “Caretaker Chairmen” who are
appointed by the various State governments.

3. Inadequate Finance: The local Government depends heavily on Statutory Monthly

Allocation from the Federal Government and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the
State Government as provided for under Section 162(6) of the 1999 Constitution which states
that “Each State shall maintain a Special Account to be called “State Joint Account” into
which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the

17
Federation Account and from the Government of the State”. Unfortunately for the Local
Governments, they do not get what is due to them from the State Government as most of the
funds meant for them are embezzled or diverted or as happened in Delta State where the Local
Government Chairmen were made to sign papers agreeing that they have received funds from
the state Government which was not so thereby hindering the work of the local governments.

4. Undue Interference from the State Government: According to the Fourth Schedule in the
1999 Nigerian constitution, the functions of the Local Government Council include:

(a) The consideration and the making of recommendations to a State commission on economic
planning or any similar body on;

(i) The economic development of the State, particularly in so far as the areas of authority of
the council and of the State are affected, and

(ii) Proposals made by the said commission or body;

(b) Collection of rates, radio and television licences;

(c) Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute
or infirm;

(d) Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel
barrows and carts;

(e) Establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets,
motor parks and public conveniences;

(f) Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains and other public
highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from
time to time by the House of Assembly of a State;

(g) Naming of roads and streets and numbering of houses;

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(h) Provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal;

(i) Registration of all births, deaths and marriages;

(j) Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as
may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State; and

(k) Control and regulation of –

(i) Out-door advertising and hoarding,

(ii) Movement and keeping of pets of all description,

(iii) Shops and kiosks,

(iv) Restaurants, bakeries and other places for sale of food to the public,

(v) Laundries, and

(vi) Licensing, regulation and control of the sale of liquor.

2. The functions of a local government council shall include participation of such council in
the Government of a State as respects the following matters –

(a) The provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education;

(b) The development of agriculture and natural resources, other than the exploitation of
materials

(c) The provision and maintenance of health services; and

(d) Such other functions as may be conferred on a local government council by the House of
Assembly of the State.

Unfortunately, the State Governments has taken over some of the functions of the Local
Governments especially those that have to do with revenue collection and fail to remit the

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funds to them. This has resulted in the local governments being perpetually broke and always
finding it difficult to pay their workers and carry out basic projects like providing social
amenities.

5. Corruption: This is the bane of the Nigerian democracy from the top to the bottom.
However, some schools of thought believe that the Local Government is the most corrupt of
all three tiers. In the last local government elections, most of the seats were won by the
political parties in power in the respective states. This is unheard of in a true democracy as the
State Governors successfully put their cronies in power and the rights of the general populace
to decide was totally shelved aside.

Monies meant for payment of the salaries of the employees are siphoned and a lot of ghost
workers are in the payrolls, financial figures for projects are inflated and most of the Chairmen
rule with an autocratic and parochial attitude and tend to favour some parts of the council over
others.

6. Poor Leadership: Most of the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors are not
qualified for the positions they occupy. Most of them get into these positions either by
appointment or blessings of their political godfathers to reward them for their loyalty and
service.

Most of them do not know what it takes to run their offices and have little or no
communication with their governing councils and spend most of their time in their respective
State capitals as opposed to their base of operation.

7. Lack of Autonomy: Autonomy simply means freedom from external control or influence.
In the 1999 Constitution, little or no power rests on the hands of the Local Government hence
leading to incessant interference from the other tiers of government.

The State Government literally controls the Local Government Commission and hence has the
powers to manipulate the running of the local governments.

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8. Creation of too Many Local Government Areas: As stated above, there are 774 local
government areas in Nigeria which is quite a number. Some criteria needed for the creation of
Local Governments include: population, land mass, Internally Generated Revenue, location
and others. But over the years, Local Governments have been created to score cheap political
points amidst complaints of marginalization by others thereby ignoring the previously stated
criteria. This has resulted in lots of conflicts among the 36 states of the federation with some
feeling cheated.

9. Overpopulated Workforce: Research has shown that there are so many workers employed
by the Local Governments more than their budgets or statutory allocation can handle.

There has been indiscriminate employment of persons to please political godfathers and curry
favours from the powers that be hence the constant inability of the Local Government to pay
its workers as at when due. This is even without taking into consideration the alarming rise of
ghost workers.

10. Unqualified and Undedicated Workers: The Local Government has the highest number
of unqualified personnel in its payroll. A lot of cronies are inserted as workers even without
having the required qualifications to fulfill their respective roles, the workers can often been
seen lazing about and coming late to work which drastically reduces the efficiency of the
Local Government.

2.2.4 Solutions to the Problems facing Local Government

There is still hope for the common man if the Local Governments can be organized and run
with maximum efficiency. Let’s make our Local Governments great again as the hope of the
grassroots. The following are some solutions to local government problems:

i. The Nigerian Constitution should be diligently reviewed with distinct clarifications

made to distinguish between the powers and functions of all three tiers of
government so that one does not encroach on the other.

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ii. Measures should be put in place to ensure that the tenure, qualifications, local
government creations processes, operations of the Local Government Service
Commission, amongst others.
iii. The act governing the LGA should be properly reviewed and strictly monitored.
Local Governments need to be autonomous to be able to function with maximum
capacity.
iv. The laws governing the creation of Local Government Areas should be followed
strictly and any unnecessary agitation for more creations must be made to go
through the proper channels and not for the purpose of pleasing anybody.
v. Proper provisions should be made to enable the Local Governments to be self-
sufficient without relying constantly on the other two tiers for funds.
vi. The State Governments should be made to remit all the funds due to the Local
Government and desist from encroaching on the functions of the Local
Governments and its operations.
vii. All tiers of government should be made accountable for the distribution of finances
and the percentage due to the Local Governments should be increased so that
projects can be carried out and salaries paid as at when due.
viii. Nigerian politicians should learn that integrity, due diligence, accountability,
service, are qualities that they ought to possess to lead the people to the “promised
land”.
ix. All forms of corruption, selfishness, embezzlement, discrimination should be
removed from their vocabulary. Nigerians should be given their rights to vote for
suitably qualified candidates instead of having greedy and unskilled politicians
imposed on them. The era of election manipulation whereby one party wins all the
seats should be consigned to the past.
x. The workforce of the Local Government should be reduced because the number is
simply staggering and uncalled for.

22
 xi. Most of the workers are idle and not really needed but are there as favours to
political allies. Regular tests should be given to the employees to gauge their
competence and qualification for the role they occupy.
xii. The workers should be properly disciplined for late coming and shirking off their
responsibilities and strict sanctions placed on them.

2.3 RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Communal effort has not been a recent phenomenon. It dates back to the time of primitive
communalism when people searched for their living communally. In the early state of man, he
always sought ways of conquering nature. Bryne (1983:55) argues that the concept of
community development is not new, that rather it is an old ideology. The reality in Bentham’s
assertion that community development is a man in the society can be sustained by the fact that
communities throughout history constructed and maintained their roads, bridges, square, sunk
their well for good drinking water supply, and constructed their markets, village churches and
village halls by community efforts.

Lawal, (2008:56) community development is not new in Nigeria, that what is actually new
nowadays in community development are techniques and methods through which new pattern
of leadership emerges from the rank and file.

Dare, (1989:38) in his own contribution argues that though local government is a veritable
vehicle for community development, most local government have not made appreciate impact
in this direction. He attributes the problem to the myriad of functions allocated to local
government without commensurate financial backing.

Ogunna (1980:44) attributed the low performance of local government to the following
factors; inadequate revenue, low executive capacity, poor and inadequate working materials,
incompetence and ineptitude of existing staff and excessive control by the state government
which result in delays and red-tapism. The solution, he suggested, lies in the review of the
local government system particularly in areas of financial relationship with the state

23
government and personnel. This control of local government was made clear in the
implementation, guideline on the application of the civil service, Reform in the local
government service. Okunade, (1988:).expressing his own idea, state that the spread of
counties has provided the awareness among rural dwellers, and has provided the existence for
a concept of the process of community development and of project which have been set in
motion since the United National Organization development its concepts since thirty years
ago. Community development draw greater inspiration from the desire for a change and in the
ability of man to learn and charge through the voluntary method, (that is, free from coercion)
and through the participation of individuals and groups in the development process for the
achievement of some definite goals.

According to Sehinde, (2008:9) community development is: A process of education by which

people of all ages and interest in the community, learn to share their thoughts, their ideas, the
participation, their joys and their sorrows and in a large measures to mould and shape the
communal destiny for themselves. It is a process of self-discovery by the while the people of a
community learn to identify and solve their community problems.

A firm grasp at their beliefs and value system will throw light on what the community accepts
as good and bad, as right or wrong. In turn, changes achieved by community effort can
influence the beliefs and value system of a community. It is necessary to stimulate the self-
help spirit of the people by mobilizing them for communal efforts, which should be sustained
with the assistance of the government. Blue Print for rural development, argues that for
effective implementation of strategies for community development the town and community
unions, age grades, etc should be linked with government. This idea he said is to involve the
community people fully through their union, age grades and other similar policies that are
designed to improve their economic, social, political and cultural development. He stated that
this would enable them to make positive contributions to both rural and national development.
The community union and age grade in every community have usually served as point of
articulation and fully aware of the needs of the people. However, if they are fully integrated
into the planning stage of development project, a lot will be achieved.

24
Writing on rural development in Nigeria, Mabogunje, (1992:191) in his book “leading issues
in Nigerian Rural Development” accused successive Nigerian government at being previous
regimes, rather than developing the rural areas. He content that this is the general pattern all
over the third world countries. Mabogunje, remarked that many strategies such as
“authoritarian hand out” from the administration which prescribed the facilities suitable for the
rural areas and two, the so-called development from below have been tried in the past, in the
attempt to solve rural poverty in Nigeria. These strategies have however not proved successful;
he looks at rural development problem such as lack of co-ordinated community development
programmes, manpower problems of infrastructure, problem of relevant rural education. He
suggest solutions to these problems, which include clear understanding of the concept
community development, an integrated development programmes, provision of infrastructure,
relevance at rural education to the peculiar need and aspiration of the rural areas.

Local government and rural development in Nigeria, Olowo, et al., and (1991) describes
government approach to rural development as a more sham. According to him, government
has succeeded in imposing development programme on the rural masses, such programme he
argues, only benefited a few rich and powerful urban elite. He calls for a model of rural
development, which involves the genuine participation of the rural people. Such he continues
will be relatively independent of centralized urban-oriented bureaucratic machines.

Nwaka, (1999:33-36) on his part argued that government imposition of rural development
programme on the communities have been Cog in the wheal of rural development. As he put
it, government have often set community development; priorities without the participation of
the target or relevant communities. He suggests that since government, communities are the
engines of growth; government should play down its excessive control in betting out
development goals and priorities for local communities.

Nnoli, (1980) sees self-help, as a strategy for rural development as a form of exploitation
because, according to him, for the rural people it is viewed as the task resort to their survival
due to government neglect. According to him, the community development process arises

25
from the crying need of the rural population for social welfare services, unwillingness of the
rural class to provide these amenities, the exploitation of the ruling class of the competition
among communities for those social artefacts which are deemed to reflect social progress, and
the exploitation by the ruling class at the tendency by Nigerians to invest more time, energy
and resources and those tasks approved by their communities than those sanctioned by the
national collectively via-the-state.

Okoli, (2000) in his book contends that the British colonialists in Nigeria hatched community
development ideology in order to under develop the people through his negative manipulation
strategy. He regrets that his strategy has continued to be employed by indigenous rulers in the
post-colonial state. He further contends that this strategy predicated upon the colonial policy of
economic exploitation of the local area in an instrument used to sustain the self-interest of the
ruling classes while the rural communities suffer under poor, hash and stagnated conditions.

Aborisade (1988) in his book highlighted the various development programmes designed by
successive governments in Nigeria, which aimed at developing the rural communities. He
gives an example of River Basin and Rural Development Authorities established in 1975 to
promote rural development. He laments that in practice the scheme bloated bureaucracies
feeding on mega million naira contracts for irrigation and other agricultural projects while the
rural areas for which they are meant seemed to have recorded deeper in debilitating poverty.

Finally, from the extensive review of literature, it is obvious that scholars like Akpan, (1982),
Olisa (1992) and Olowu (1988) regretted that rural development activities and programmes of
the past decades of national independence have not transformed the country’s rural areas in the
modern, well supplied contended that prosperous population envisaged are the beginning of
national sovereignty. They concluded that in terms at the number of programmes identification
pursued, rural development in Nigeria has made little transformatary impact. They cite basic
social services, public utilities and essential infrastructure as still being woefully inadequate in
almost all corners of the country.

26
2.4 CREATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON RURAL
DEVELOPMENT

The interrelationship or complementary nature of these two subjects underscore their relevance
and study within the broad discipline of public administration. As Institutions of critical
importance, they are respectively the basic political organization, and the socio-economic
activity. In view of the critical importance therefore, what affects them determine whether or
not Nigeria or other third world nations develop.

Constitutionally, Local government represents the third tier of governmental organization in

Nigeria the others being the Federal and State governments. Frequently, the term “Grassroots
administration” is employed as this has the additional advantage of graphically describing the
location of this governmental arrangement. In reality, it is not vested with the powers and
resources that it deserves. It is also ironical that the Nigerian situation negates the essence of
federalism (which is decentralization) by being highly centralized.

Elsewhere, where the ideals and strategies for effective development have been understood the
correct way, Local government is the focus of government efforts at promoting development.
It becomes obvious overtime that to effectively develop, the people must be adequately
mobilized. A purposeful combination of the local (peoples) effort/energies with that of
government with the objective of improving socio-economic conditions and encouraging
political participation is a key factor in rural development.

It represents the objective expression of the energies of mobilized rural communities in

concrete and tangible projects such as roads, clinics, schools, potable water and other
communal initiatives that benefit the people.

Local Government

Local government (as a body of knowledge and as practice) is encapsulated in a web like all
other sub-discipline in the social sciences. There are divergent views on the subject as there
are many authors.

27
Local government in the communal sense means people’s political instrument to participate in
resource allocation, distribution and power acquisition.

Other reasons for the creation of local government identified which are crucial to this paper are
‘to make appropriate services and development activities responsive to local wishes and
initiatives by devolving or delegating them to local representative bodies”. “To sensitize and
mobilize the various communities in their areas of authority in order to get involved in the
overall development of their areas” Ezeani (2006:258). It is highly debatable if local
governments in Nigeria have been able to effectively meet these and other lofty goals of their
creation.

Ezeani (2004:1) favours the approach by Adamolekun (2002:49) in discussing local

government within the purview of decentralization. Decentralisation is typologised into
“deconcentration” meaning administrative decentralization or field administration and
“devolution” implying democratic decentralization in which there is substantial autonomy to
sub-national units (i.e. local governments) with powers and responsibilities to perform specific
functions given under the law by the central government. Duru (2001:97) converges with
Ezeani (2004) and Adamolekun (2002) on the above approach and conceptualization of local
government as devolution.

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-sustaining
basis through transforming the socio-spatial structures of their productive
activities. It implies a broad based reorganization and mobilization of the 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.

28
Nexus between Local Government and Rural Development

The local government, being the government nearest to the rural populace, is one of the best
institutions for generating motivation and encouraging mobilization for self-help, as well as
inducing the much needed wider participation of the local population in the decision-making
process at the local level. It is estimated that rural local governments account for about 80
percent of the entire Nigeria population, and it is plausible to argue as pundits do, that the so-
called third world is a rural world where any meaningful discussion of rural development
really means not only talking of overall national development, but also because it is in the rural
areas that the problem of inequitable distribution of resources or a marked lack of purchasing
power and of grinding poverty in which the wretched members of society stagnate and stare
one in the face with brutal clarity.

To guarantee the satisfaction of basic social needs, therefore, local responsibility and co-
operation must be encouraged and that can best be developed through the participation of the
local citizenry, not only in the affairs of their local government, but also in their own
community affairs. It is important to observe that the existence of the third tier system of
government in Nigeria should at least, halt the deteriorating living conditions in the rural areas
of this country. An effective local government will be better disposed than the state or federal
governments not only to stem the grim reality of the “rising tide of rural poverty”, but also
better placed to evoke the spirit of “local co-operation”, thereby being more able to galvanize
and mobilize the support of local citizenry in participating in all the programmes that may
affect them.

2.4.1 Approaches to Rural Development:

Basic Resource Approach

Adopted during Colonial administration, the approach assumed that development is a function
of the existence, magnitude and quality of natural resources. Hence the exploitation and

29
development of the natural resources automatically create large investment capital and
increases economic activities which facilitate employment and income generation.

It also posits that areas endowed with basic natural resources should expectedly grow faster
than less endowed areas and also hasten the process of rural development. This argument is
however faulted on the premise that there are areas abundantly endowed with basic natural
resources which have continued to stagnate especially in Nigeria. This however adds the
dimension of availability of competent labour force and committed leadership which are sine
qua non for achieving sustainable rural development and economic development through this
approach.

Growth Centre Approach

It is an offshoot and an extension of the Basic Resource Approach. Growth centres correspond
to colonial urban centres/townships. They are centres to which goods, services and ideas flow.
The argument here is that growth does not occur everywhere at the same time. They start at
growth poles and the intensification of economic activities from this growth centre creates
expansion and linkage effects to the hinterland.

The spread effect of food production for rural and urban industrial markets, raw materials for
industries, employment opportunities for any surplus rural labour force, agricultural
mechanization can facilitate rural-development.

Export-Led Growth Approach

This is a colonial administration initiative built around producing cash crops for exports. It is
expected that through this approach, the rural areas will be opened up and linked through
infrastructural facilities. The logic in this approach is that the opening into world markets
resulting from international demand for products of the developing economies will eventually
galvanise resource utilization and capacity building of the hitherto dormant and under-utilised
resources and potentials. This explains the development of various ports, railways, roads
across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

30
Through this approach, it is expected that personal incomes, employment and government
revenues will increase.

Diffusion Model

The approach assumes that there are differences in agricultural practices and that these
differences account for the success or otherwise of farmers.

The thrust of the model is that innovations to farmers require re-orientation and habituation
made possible through communication and other support services. Farmers need to be
educated on the application of modern techniques, equipment, improved seeds and inputs.
Farmers appreciate these modern innovations in terms of its concept, application and gains
when they are practically exposed to same.

The approach emphasizes the need for administrative framework in ensuring availability and
timely delivery of new inputs to farmers. It also underscores the existence of credit facilities in
tackling funds problem or inadequacy in adapting to innovations.

The role of Demonstration/Experimental farms, agricultural extension agents/officers, and

credit facilities to farmers and research institutions in encouraging local adaptive methods
cannot be overemphasized in this approach to rural development.

Basic Needs Approach

It assumes that the rural population requires certain basic human facilities which are
essentially social in character. Such facilities include hygienic water supply, functional health
facilities and institutions, access roads, electricity, decent housing, good and qualitative
education, communication facilities.

As a concept, this approach seeks to relate development to the socio-cultural and economic
realities of the rural populace. It seeks to identify practical socio-economic and cultural
constraints to the welfare and development of the rural people and formulating/executing plans
to eliminate these constraints.

31
It is a more contemporary approach to rural development as manifested in government’s
preference for it through the establishment of ADPS, RBRDAS, DFRRI. Through these
various programmes, government has applied the principles embedded in this approach in its
determination or efforts in realizing reasonable development in rural areas on a continuing
basis.

Integrated Rural Development

The underlying argument in this approach is that previous attempts/approaches to rural

development failed due to lack of integration. In reaction to the deficiencies associated with
single-project approach to rural development, the integrated rural development approach
became inevitable. It is multi-sectoral, multi-project approach to rural development in which
agriculture, infrastructure and industry support and reinforce one another.

IRD sees rural development in its totality. It is a programme that captures and recognizes the
essence of all human and material factors relevant to rural development as well as their
positive and negative potentials in rural development goals and implementation. The approach
attempts to resolve some policy contradictions and conceptual problems (paradox) of the past
and previous approaches

IRD assumes that rural development produces positive results and it is desirable; success at
rural development is measurable and measured in terms of maximum material goodness; and
enhanced material goodness is equal to increased quality of life.

A meaningful rural development programme must involve multiple objectives, be multi-

sectoral and must integrate organisations and institutions to achieve the fullest realization of
the benefits of efforts and investment in the programme.

Organisational Integration:- It entails collaboration and coordination of various institutional or

Natural groups involved in rural development such as Governmental units and agencies, Non-
governmental associations e.g. social clubs, improvement unions, Quasi-governmental bodies
for example, NDE, Cooperative and Agricultural Banks.

32
Using the holistic approach, the collective roles of all stakeholders and actors in rural
development is explicable in the light of organizational systems approach. The need for
coordination and interdependence among all levels and tiers of government cannot be over
emphasized. The activities of NGOs, CBOs, MNCs, private and public organisations or
agencies, social clubs, religious and charitable organisations come into focus and must be
effectively harmonised to achieved goals/objectives in implementing rural development
programmes for sustainable results.

The systems approach provides solution to the problems of overlapping jurisdiction and
conflicts resulting from the concurrent functions of rural development among tiers and levels
of government as well as those of the non-governmental agencies. Being basically concerned
with problems of relationships, structure and interdependence, systems theory can successfully
remedy most of these conflicts and jurisdictional overlaps.

One of the perennial problems which has not only defied all past attempts at permanent
solution, but also has a tendency for evoking high emotions on the part of all concerned (each
time it is brought forth for discussion or analysis) is the issue of equitable revenue allocation in
Nigeria. It is an issue which has been politicised by successive administrations in Nigeria both
Military and civilian regimes. Indeed, in virtually all country in which the constitution shares
power between the central and regional or state governments and, for each level to be “within
a sphere co-ordinate and independent” (Wheare 1963:93) enough resources need be allocated
to each tier to justify their existence.

Perhaps, more important at this juncture is a consideration of the adequacy of the total revenue
profile of LGs, from all sources, for their operations. In the works of Ikelegbe, (2005) and
Aghayere, (2008) they are of the view that local governments obtain adequate revenue for their
operations. However, as Ikelegbe (2005:54), for example, puts it, there is ‘tremendous
strengthening of local government funding, structuring, autonomy and democratization.
Adequate finance is an indispensible tool for local government administration and the
execution of project for which it was not up.

33
According to Orewa (1968:225) the raison d’être of local authority is to collect it revenue
efficiently and to use such revenue to prove many social service as possible for its tax payers
while at the same time maintaining a reasonable amount reserve tide it over any period of
financial stringency. Hence the ability of local authorities to generate revenue to manage it
properly. Blau and Scout as a cited by Mukoro, (2001:1) in their local government have noted
that they do not exist but in communities and societies and have roots in large social system.

Following from the foregoing, the basic environment of a local in Nigeria with regard to
revenue generation can be identified based on the provision at chapter (vi) of the 1999
constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which deals with public revenue and the fourth
schedule there provides functions of a local government council section 162 (of chapter (vi)
such section 3,5,6,7 and 8) provide that “Any amount standing to the credit of the federation
account and shall be distributed among the federal and state government council in such state
on such terms and in manner as may be presided by the National Assembly.

According to Okoli (1998:125), despite the elaborate provision made in both decree No. 36 of
1998 and 1999 constitution for the financial autonomy of the local government doubt still
remains as to the financial relationships among the three tier of government for one thing the
direct funding of the local government which has been jettisoned by the ambiguities in the
provision of 1999 constitution as far as finance of the local government are concerned.

The financial crisis of most local government in developing counties is worsened by the fact
that they are located in the rural areas. As a result of rural poverty, they are unable to generate
enough internal revenue. They, therefore, rely mainly on statutory allocation from the federal
government which is usually inadequate for any meaningful development activity. As aptly
stated in the local government Yearbook (1998:18).

Adedeji (2000:96) asserts that the success or failure and the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of
local government depends on the financial resources available to the individuals local
authorities and the way the resources are utilized indeed the problem associated with

34
inadequacy of finding continue to remain quite high among factors most frequently of local
government to effectively perform their statutorily developed function.

Akpan, (1965:126) argued that the bottom line in judging the effectiveness of local
government is the amount of funds at their disposal. He notes that “the success of a local
authority is often measured in terms of its ability to provide services to the public. These
services cost money”, which the local government do not have sufficiency.

Ogbonnia (2004:34) say’s that other sources of local government revenue depend on the
resourcefulness and ingenuity of the council. He further explains that, there are several ways
the council can generate funds but the major problems lies in the ability of the chairman to
look inwards to create means of generating funds for the council.

The inadequacies of operational and capital funds constitute a set-back on local government
implementation of regular services and investment programmes. Consequently, most local
government can only pay workers’ salaries and take care of recruitment expenditure. In the
case of Nigeria, the financial crisis in the local government has been worsened by the failure of
the Federal Government to recognize the new local government created by some states. The
state governors new use part of statutory allocations meant for the newly created ones, which
in Enugu referred to as development centres (Ezeani, 2004).

2.5 HISTORIACAL BACKGROUND OF THE BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Bassa Local Government was created in 1976 during the nation wide local government

reforms. The local government is nearer to Jos North local government where the Plateau State

government headquarters is located.

Bassa Local Government Area occupies area of approximately 1.693 square kilometers and

has a population of 156,997 (2000 projection). However, going by the recent released

35
population figure conducted in 2006, Bassa is said to have population of about 186,859 male

92,649 female 94,210.

Bassa Local Government shares boundary with Kaura and Lere Local Government Area of

Kaduna State in the South West area and to the North with Toro Local Government area of

Bauchi State.

The main ethnic and language groups of Bassa Local Government Area are Irigwe, Rukuba,

Amo, Buji, Jere and Chawa among many others ethnic groups in the country.

The headquarters of the Local Government is located at Jebbu Bassa in Rukuba Chiefdom.

The location seems to be strategic because it is at the centre in between Irigwe and Pengana

Chiefdom. The Local Government Area enjoys the presence of the following federal

Government establishment such as:

1. Third Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army located at Jebbu Bassa where

headquarters of the Local Government is located

2. Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) Deport located at Zukku, Jengre

road in Pengana Chiefdom of Bassa local Government. The Local Government has the

only school for deaf in Plateau State. It is located along Bassa road.

The Local Government Area also have Hydro-electric Power Station at Kwall in Miango

Chiefdom being manage by NESCO Nigeria Electricity Supplying Company.

2.5.1 CLIMATIC CONDITION

Bassa Local Government has a temporary climate with severe cools in the month of December

– January and February. This is so due to its location on the high attitude of the Jos Plateau.

36
Due to the climatic condition in the Bassa Local Government Area it has attracted the attention

of the white missionaries to established schools in the local government area. These schools

are Kent Academy located at Miango. It is owned by Evangelical Church Winning All

(formally known as Evangelical Church of West Africa, ECWA).

There is also Rafiki interrational primary school also located in Bassa Local Government. The

Rafiki school is mainly for orphans, its also manage by white missionaries.

37
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

3.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with the research design and this cover the type of data and source, the
study population and sample, the chapter also highlight on the data collection method and
instruments.

This chapter prevents the research design which is essentially the blue print on the data
collection and the method adopted for the collection of the data. The chapter has also
highlighted the techniques used in the data collection, the instrument of data collection and the
method of data analysis and presentation.

This study also relies extensively on the information from primary and secondary sources
where questionnaires were used. Other sources of data are secondary source and include
unstructured interviewed and a combination of structured and open-ended questionnaires e.t.c.

According to black and champions (1976) “research methodology provides a blue print to
study problems and determine the boundaries of the research world”. Therefore, it covers all
forces by which the researcher plans to carry out his/her project work in such a simplified form
to achieve the objective of the study.

Akani (1983:15), “defines methodology as the ways and means by which the researcher
intends to carry out the study”. Methodology also involves the tools and machinery that will be
used in accomplishing the state objectives.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The study has adopted a descriptive research design and will rely on the assessment of the
opinions and views of respondents on the creation of local government and its effect on rural
development, with reference to Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

38
The data will be collected using a survey method and this involves the assessment of some
senior and junior staff of the Local Government and some members of the communities within
the Local Government.

The use of questionnaires will be used to solicit responses in the various areas of the creation
of local government and its effect on rural development in Bassa Local Government Area of
Plateau State so as to provide information that will answer some of the pertinent questions.

3.2 POPULATION AND SAMPLE

This research work will be targeted at the staff and some community members of Bassa Local
Government Area of Plateau State both senior and junior categories. This is because they are
all in the Local Government, and we believe they know some of the challenges being faced by
the Local Government or the developmental work carried out by the Local Government.

Simple stratified random sampling method will be adopted in the selection of the
correspondent for the study. This is so to capture the different ideas or information of both
senior and junior staff of the Local Government and some community members on the
creation of local government and its effect on rural development.

A structured (open ended) questionnaire which is developed by the researcher covers various
aspects of the creation of local government and its effect on rural development will be adopted
for the collection of the data.

The questionnaire covers two parts sections, namely, Section A: which covers bio-data of the
respondents, while Section B: covers the creation of local government and its effect on rural
development of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.

In all a total of One Hundred and Fifty (150) questions items were develop to cover the various
issues of the creation of local government and its effect on rural development of Bassa Local
Government Area of Plateau State.

3.3 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

39
In this research work, the sampling method to be used will be the Simple random sampling
method. Because the method allows the possibility for each unit in the Local Government to
have equal chance of being selected as sample for the study.

3.4 INSTRUMENT OF DATA COLLECTION

The study relied on information record from both primary and secondary sources. Some
information was derived from interviews of personnel of various departments of the Local
Government and some community’s members within the Local Government. Under this
primary sources the uses of available and comprehensive questionnaires administered to
beneficiaries at random was employed. The use of this source of data for the sake of this
research study is suitable and relevant because of its comprehensiveness and all including
ability.

In addition to the primary source, an interview will play a vital role in obtaining and make
good use of the available existing information (or data).

3.4.1 Description of the Instruments

The research made use of the following procedures in gathering data: Questionnaire and
Interviews
Questionnaire: A questionnaire is a list of questions designed to elicit information from
specified target respondents. This they do, by filling in answers in spaces provided for that
purpose. Administration of the questionnaire was face-to-face method. Here, questionnaires
were filled by the respondents either directly or by another person in the presence of the
researcher. The major advantage is that it is taken seriously by the respondents since the
researcher is right there. It is faulted because of its proneness to bias. The presence of the
researcher could influence the responses given by the respondents. Classification or the basis
of how the questionnaire is structured is closed-ended questionnaires. These provide fixed
answers to the questions asked and require the respondents to fill the ones thought suitable. Of
course, this type limits the flow of answers that can be obtained from respondents. It is

40
however, easy to collate and analyse. This type depends on the nature of data being sought for
and the characteristics of respondents. Therefore, questionnaires were drawn to enable proper
responses to be given to the instrument.
Interviews: This is a question and answer situated between the researcher and respondents
with a view to eliciting relevant data for certain contradictory issues in the schools. It is done
between the interviewer and the interviewee on one-on-one basis. The questions and the way
they are asked are predetermined and follow a stereotyped pattern, therefore, it is structured.
Structured questions help the interviewer to keep focused and save time in the process of the
interview
3.4.2 Procedures for Instruments development

The instrument used was developed by the researcher in accordance with the research topic:
Problems and Prospect of management of small scale business. All the questions in the
questionnaire were developed related to the research topic. The questionnaire was given to the
lecturer of business administration university of Jos for verification. The questionnaires were
applied two times to ascertain the responses.
3.5 PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION

Due to lack of time and the sake of simplicity in the research, data collected was summarized
using the manual method. After this, the data was converted into simple tables of frequencies
for the purpose of analysis presentation where the outcome presented and was done in tables of
frequencies and percentages. This approach is found easier and clearer for presentation and
description of the findings.

3.6 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

The data collected were analysed by indicating the opinion of the respondents in their relative
frequencies in tabular form. Mean scores were employed for data analysis. A mean score up to
2.5 is regarded as acceptable or positive while mean score below 2.5 is low and unfavorable or
negative. The cut off mark of 2.5 is obtained by adding the sum of the nominal rating values
and dividing that by the number of rating items analyzed by indicating the opinion of the

41
respondents in their relative frequencies in tabular form. Mean scores were employed for data
analysis. A mean score up to 2.5 was regarded as acceptable or positive while mean score
below 2.5 is low and unfavorable or negative. The cut off mark of 2.5 was obtained by adding
the sum of the nominal rating values and dividing that by the number of rating items

42
 CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Result

This chapter presents a detailed analysis and interpretation of the data obtained through
questionnaires administered on the assessment of the role of Local Government in rural
development using Bassa Local Government Council of Plateau State as a study area. In
order to empirically evaluate the stated hypothesis that;

(i) Bassa Local council has not contributed substantially to rural development in the
local government area.

(ii) The inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified engineers of all types,
medical doctors, etc) affects the ability of Bassa Local Government council in
carrying out developmental programmes.

(iii) Inadequate funding by both the Plateau State and the Federal Governments
hinders Bassa Local Government council’s ability in carrying out
developmental programmes.

4.2 Discussion

The presentation and analysis of data generated for this study are presented in tables;
each table represents and test the hypothesis. The analysis is based on the research
instrument distributed to 50 staff’s and 100 members of the communities of Bassa Local
Government Area of Plateau State, with a 100% return rate.

43
SECTION A

GENDER, AGE, EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND RELIGION

DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDEN TS.

Table 4.1

Gender Respondents Percentage

Male 62 41.3%
Female 88 58.7%
Total 150 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The table above shows the gender distribution of 150 respondents. It is clear that 58.7%
were females, while 41.3% were males.

Table 4.2

Age Respondents Percentage

18-25 85 56.7%
26 and above 65 43.3%
Total 150 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The above table reveals that the respondents between 18-25 years have the highest
distribution with 56.7% while those who were between 27 and above is 43.3% of the total
respondents.

Table 4.3

Status Respondents Percentage

Married 100% 66.7%
26 and above 50 33.3%
Total 150 100%

44
Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the above table, one can conclusively say that out of 150 respondents, 100 or 66.7
were single while 50 accounting for 33.3% were married.

Table 4.4

Qualification Respondents Percentage

SSCE 32 33.3%
NCE/OND 43 46.7%
B.Sc/HND 25 20%
Total 150 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The table above depicts that 33.3% percent were respondents with Senior School
Certificate (SSCE), 46.7% are those with NCE/OND Certificates while 20% percent are
those with B.Sc and HND Certificates of Degree.

Table 4.5

Religion Respondents Percentage

Christian 100 70%
Muslim 50 30%
Others 0 0%
Total 150 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2021

The table above shows the religion distribution of respondents. It obvious that 70%
percent were Christians, while 30% of the respondents were Muslims.

45
Table 4.6

Is the main aim of establishing Bassa Local Government Council is to bring

development to the rural people?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 132 88%

No 15 10%

Undecided 3 2%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the table above, 132, respondents which represents (88%) of the total respondents
are of the view that the aim of establishing the local government if to bring development
to the rural people, 15 respondents accounts for (10%) are of the view that the creation of
local government is meant to bring development to the people while 3 or (2%) of the
respondents is undecided in the issue.

46
Table 4.7

Has Local Government contributes substantially to the development of its rural

areas?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 15 10%

No 105 70%

Undecided 30 20%

Total No of Respondent 150 100

Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 4.2 shows that 15 respondents (10%) of the total respondents agreed that the Bassa
Local Government contributes substantially to the development of its rural areas. This is
followed by 105 or (70%) percent who said no that the council has not fulfill its
obligations towards rural/grassroots development of the communities that made up the
council area, while 30 respondents accounting for 20% percents remains undecided.
Finally, from the analysis of the responses it clear that Bassa Local Government council
has not contributed substantially towards rural development.

47
Table 4.8
What ways have Bass Local Government contributed to rural development?

No of Respondents

Options Percentage

Funding of projects in the rural areas 5 3.3%

Empowering the rural people economically

3 2%

Empowering the rural people politically

2 1.3%

Provision of amenities for the betterment of the

20 13.3%
rural areas

All of the above 15 10%

None of the above 105 70%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table above indicates that 105 respondents representing 70% percents of the total
respondents disagreed or says that the local government have not contributed to rural
development in either funding of projects in the rural areas, empowering the rural people
economically, empowering the rural people politically, provision of amenities for the
betterment of the rural areas, and 15 which accounts for 10% percents says that the
council has contributed in the provision of basic amenities in the area.

48
Table 4.9

What amenities are provided by the local government in your area?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Water 5 3.3%

Electricity 5 3.3%

Motorable Road 3 2%

School 5 3.33%

Health Centre 3 2%

Wood walkways 10 6.67%

Canopy Jetty Market 2 1.3%

None of the above 117 78%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the table above, 5 respondents which represent 3.3% of the responses agreed that
the council have provided water, and electricity and school, 3 that 2% says they have
motorable roads, and health centre while 10 respondents representing 6.6% which
comprises those living in the riverine areas of the local government agreed that the local
government have provided wood walkways for them. 177 or 78% of the total respondents
totally disagreed (none of the above) that the council have not provided any basic
amenities in their communities. From the foregoing it deduced that though the area have
little but need to more in the area of provision of basic amenities.

49
Table 4.10

Can the Local Government alone bring about the needed development of her
rural areas in the provision of cottage hospitals, schools, roads and farming
equipment’s?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 30 20%

No 100 66.67%

Undecided 20 13.33%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From table 4.5, 30 respondents (20%) percent of the respondents are of the view that the
local government council alone can bring the needed development of her rural areas in
the provision of cottage hospital, schools, roads and farming equipments. On the contrary
100 accounting for 66.67% of the respondents are of that the council alone cannot alone
bring the needed development of her rural areas. While 20 or (13.33%) of the respondents
remains undecided on the question. Thus, it is clear that only the council cannot bring the
needed development of her communities.

50
Table 4.11

Does the Local Government have tractors/caterpillars for road maintenance and
agriculture?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 40 26.67%

No 80 55.33%

Undecided 30 20%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

On the question does the council have tractors and caterpillars for read maintenance and
agriculture, 40 of the respondents representing 26.67% percent are of that the council
have tractors and caterpillars for road maintenance and agriculture, 80 accounting for
55.33% percent totally disagreed, while 30 respondents (20%) is undecided as to whether
the council has caterpillars and tractors of not.

Based on the responses above the, hypothesis is rejected based on the empirical
verification gathered, which shows Bassa Local Government council has not contributed
very well toward rural/grassroots development going by the responses gotten from the
respondents as analysed below. Thus a null hypothesis is accepted which states that Bassa
Local Government council does not contributes substantially towards the development of
its rural areas.

Table 4.12

51
Does Bassa Local Government Council have the following skilled workers?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Doctors Yes

Engineers Yes

Accountants Yes

Auditors Yes

Administrators Yes

All of the above 150 100%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the above data, it is revealed that the council have the needed manpower (skilled
workers) as indicated by the responses (Yes) of the respondents in all the options given.

Table 4.13

52
Are the skilled workers like Administrators, Engineers, and Doctors enough to
engineer the necessary development of the area?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 90 60%

No 0 0%

Undecided 60 10%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the table above, 90 respondents, representing 60% identified that the council have
skilled but they are not enough to engineer the necessary development of the area, while
60 respondents accounting 40% was undecided as to whether the skilled workers are
enough.

Table 4.14

Respondents opinions on, do you think that none usage of the council artisan’s
engineers to use of contractors slows the pace of development in the area?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 100 60%

No 20 0%

Undecided 30 10%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

53
The data collected revealed that 100 respondents or 66.67% identify that manpower in the
council are used rather the council prefer to contractors and this slows down the pace of
development, as most contract are abandoned as a result of kickbacks, 20 respondents
representing 13.33% said no, in other words the none usage of the council artisan’s and
engineers does not slow the pace of development in the area. While 30 of the respondents
remained undecided.

Responses from the data analysed, the hypothesis is rejected based on the empirical
verification gathered, which shows that the inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified
engineers of all types, medical doctors, etc) affects the ability of Bassa Local
Government council in carrying out developmental programmes, but that the none usage
on the manpower (skilled workers like qualified engineers of all types, medical doctors,
etc) is the cause of slow pace of development in the area. Thus a null hypothesis is
accepted.

Table 4.15

At Present, would you say that Bassa Local Government Council is well funded by
the State and Federal governments?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 45 30%

No 85 56.67%

Undecided 20 13.33%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the above data, it is revealed that at present the Local Government council is not
well funded by both the State and Federal government. 85 of the respondents, which

54
represent 56.67%, gave no as their response, while 45 or 30% percent of the total
respondents agreed that the local government council is well funded and 20 respondents
accounting for 13.33% percent remained undecided to the well funding of the council by
both the State and Federal Governments.

Table 4.16

Did lack of funding of Bassa Local Government Council affects her developmental
strides in the rural areas?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 90 60%

No 10 6.67%

Undecided 50 33.33%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

This question was designed to find out if lack of funding of the Bassa local government
council affects her developmental strides in the rural communities. From the above table
90 or 60% of the respondents identified or agreed that lack of funding affects the
developmental strides council in the rural areas, 10 of the respondents representing 6.67%
said no, that the lack of funding will not affect the developmental strides of the council,
while 50 or 33.33% of the total respondents is undecided in their opinions.

55
Table 4.17

Do you think the poor state of roads, schools, market, and farming in the council
area is occasioned by inadequate funding by the Federal and State governments?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 88 58.67%

No 62 41.33%

Undecided 0 0%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

As shown in the table above, it is revealed that 88 or 58.67% of the total respondents are
of the view that the poor state of road, schools, farming and markets is occasioned by the
inadequate funding by both the State and Federal governments, as result of inadequate
funding the council only ends up in paying workers’ salaries, which led to the bad state of
the roads and other infrastructures in the council area, 62 of the respondents accounting
41.33% of the total respondents disagreed that the poor state of infrastructure in the
council area is not occasioned by the inadequate funding of the council.

56
Table 4.18

What sources are available for generating revenues by the council internally?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Tenement rates from market/stores Yes

Ticketing at Parks Yes

Yes
Licensing Fees Yes
Yes
Sales of Stickers Yes

Water ways rates Yes

Other Levies Yes
All of the above 150% 100%
Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

From the table above as the respondents opinion on what sources are available for the
council for generating revenues internally, the respondents agreed that the option given
are available to the council for revenue generation. But in an interview with a member of
the committee on internally generated revenue Mr. Adi Ezekiel Bawa, said that the
council is not serious in pursue of revenue that is why she lacks finance more so most her
communities are located along the rivers.

57
Table 4.19

Do you think that the council generates enough revenue internally?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Yes 34 22.67%

No 100 66.67%

Undecided 16 22.66%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

On the opinion of the respondents on if the council generates enough revenue internally,
100 respondents representing 66.67% of the total respondents said (No) that the council
does not generate enough revenue internally, while 34 or 22.67% of the respondents
agreed that the council generate enough revenue internally and 16 respondents
accounting for 22.66% of the respondents are undecided in their opinions.

Table 4.20

Respondents opinions on, how would you describe the local council’s drive for
internally generated revenue?

Options No of Respondents Percentage

Satisfactory 47 31.33%

Not Satisfactory 93 62%

Undecided 10 6.67%

Total No of Respondent 150 100%

Source: Field Survey, 2021

58
On the respondents’ opinion on how they will describe the council drive for internally
generated revenue, 93 of the respondents which represent 62% of the total respondents
are of the view that it is Not Satisfactory, and in the interview Mr. Bawa said that the un-
seriousness is the order of the day. 47 or 31.33% of the respondents are of the view that it
is satisfactory; while 10 respondents representing 6.67% responses are undecided. From
the analysis above it is clear that Bassa Local Government Council derive for internally
generated revenue is not satisfactory and this is occasioned by her un-seriousness
pursuing internally generated revenue.

Responses from the data analysed, the hypothesis is accepted based on the empirical
verification gathered, which shows that the Inadequate funding by both The Plateau State
and the Federal Governments hinders Bassa Local Government Council’s ability in
carrying out developmental programmes.

4.3 Discussion of Findings

This study has clearly shown that there is evidence of engagement of Bassa Local
Government in community development in some communities that make-up the council
area. The findings revealed that Bassa local government has over the years embarked on
some community development projects like road construction (wood walkways),
provision of healthcare services, but little is done in the area of provision of education,
provision of water and electricity in the area or the council or in communities that make-
up the local government. The findings also reveal that Bassa Local Government has not
effectively and efficiently engaged in integrating community development programme.
As this finding from chapter four revealed, Bassa Local Government has a predominantly
agriculture occupation. This means that greater percent of the population engage in
farming as an occupation. However, as observed by the researcher, the local government
to boast the productivity of agriculture in the area has initiated no much efforts or
projects. Road constructions which help farmers in the transportation of farm products

59
have not been adequately provided. This finding supports the view of Ayaide (1989) that
local governments have not made appreciable impact in community development.

Also supporting this with the figure in table 4.9, which analyzed respondent’s views on
provision of basic amenities (road constructions), where 70.% indicated negatively that
road construction and other amenities in Bassa Local Communities have not been
adequately pursued.

The findings also show that healthcare services in Bassa local government has not been
sufficiently followed the limited number of hospitals in the council area. Health care
services in Warri North local government face the problem of insufficiency. There is only
one general hospital in existence, which are functionally ailing and the Bassa local
government has provided one location as the headquarters. In addition, other existing
cottage hospitals are privately owned. Local governments have not provided adequate
healthcare services in most communities as a means of improving community
development as revealed by the case of Bassa local government area.

The findings further reveal that educational development of Bassa local government
council has not improved as expected. Few existing primary and secondary schools are in
acute shortage of facilities and are located in for distance from some communities
especially those who are in the riverine areas of the council that have to travel far
distance for school, the population structure also shows that greater number of people is
in need of education.

The findings also revealed that other social amenities such as water, electricity among
others have been in short supply. Water and electricity have not really been provided in
most of the communities.

It is also found that inadequate fund affect the engagement of the local government in
community development. The funding of the local government from the Federation and
State accounts has not been enough for the local government to carryout its function.

60
Internally generated revenue has not been adequately increased to finance community
development.

Finally, the findings show that lack of utilization of skilled workers like engineers to the
use of contractors is another hindrance to rural development in Bassa local government
un-seriousness in revenue mobilization/generation internally is another major hindrance
to the development of the council area.

The findings also shows that local government lack some equipment to carry out the
community projects which requires heavy machines such as tractors and caterpillars
and equipment which the rural people do not possess in order to improve their
farming inputs and complete their projects.

61
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

This study was carried out to examine the creation of local government and its effect on
rural development. The study was conducted in Bassa Local government and its
constituent communities. The study has three main objectives which were specifically to;
ascertain whether creation of local government has contributed substantially to rural
development, finding out if inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified engineers all
types, medical doctors, etc) has any effect on the ability of Bassa local government
council in carrying out rural development programme and verifying whether inadequate
financing by both state and federal governments hinders the council in carrying out
developmental programmes.

The study was anchored on the “system theory” of David Easton. The theory argues that
in every system, which includes political system, there are subsystems making up the
entire system. These subsystems are assigned functions and provided with enabling
empowerment, including resources, appropriate authority, etc. to enable them discharge
their responsibilities optimally.

The method adopted in this study is a simple data of survey and descriptive analysis,
which provided general impressions, summary of observations and findings made from
the data collected.

5.2 CONCLUSIONS

Generally, it could be seen that creation of local governments has not been effective in
the development of rural communities. It conclusion reveals that rural development are in
adequately carried out in the local governments area. For instance, with exception of the
local government headquarters and few other communities are not electrified and the

62
possibilities of embarking on these projects are very remote. This has slowed down some
other projects like cottage industries, pipe-borne water in equally in short supply in the
local government area of the cast study Bassa. The council has not performed well in the
provision of medical facilities as most of the communities travels far for medical
services.

Bassa Local Government has performed below expectation in the provision and
maintenance of primary schools in the area, in some communities pupils provide their
own desks with which to sit and learn, the council fails to utilize its manpower in
carrying out projects rather prefer the use of contractors who gives kickbacks. Finance is
the bedrock of every business and government, it evident that the council lacks the
seriousness in the pursuance of internally generated revenue relying mostly the Federal
and State allocation which are not enough to even pay workers’ salaries.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

From the findings, I discovered that lack of seriousness on the part of the local
government revenue collection staff, dishonesty of revue officials, inadequate vehicles
for revenue drive among others contribute to low internally generated revenue in the local
government.

I therefore recommend that effort should be made by the council to revive revenue drive
in the council and reward dedicated and honest staff. There is also need to procure
additional vehicles to help revenue personnel to discharge their duty efficiently and
effectively.

I recommend that the council should use direct labour in executing of projects rather than
the use of contractors, money paid to contractors can be channeled into other
developmental projects in the area.

63
There need for the council to procure tractors and fertilizers that will help the farmers in
their production, and also bridge communities that are close with concrete bridge rather
than wood walkways which will not last for a long period of time.

The present situation whereby development is concentrated in the local government

headquarters to utter neglect of the rural communities does not give the other
communities a sense of belonging. A change is required in this regard.

It important for the Federal and State to review the allocation of local governments,
because the provision of primary education and health facilities will be improved upon
when there is better allocation from the Federal and State governments.

5.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study is based on The Creation of Local Government and it effects on Rural
Development. The study is limited to Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It is also, limited by time factor; the study is conducted within two month, which might
make some factors not to be considered.
Financial constraint is another factor that limited the researcher not to expand the scope
of the study to other communities.
5.5 SUGGESTYIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY

The questionnaire suffered a poor response from the top-level management due to their

tight schedules in which their absolute positive response would be given perfect judgment

on the Creation of Local Government and its effects on Rural Development.

More so, the research work could not cover wide range of respondents due to time and

financial constraints.

64
With these, it would be suggested that any other researcher(s) willing to do his/her/their

research work on this area should endeavor to get much of the opinions from middle and

lower-level management who were not as the top-level managers.

Conclusively, future researchers in this area of work should base their research work on

all or some selected communities or more Local Government in order to have a wider

scope of its.

65
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Distinguished Faculty of Social Sciences Public Lecture, Benin City: Faculty of Social
Sciences.

The 1976 Local Government Reforms guidelines, Lagos, Federal Ministry of

Information.

The 1976 Local Government Reforms guidelines, Lagos, Federal Ministry of

Information.

70
INTERVIEW

Mr. Adi Ezekiel Bawa, Bassa Local Government council, member of the internal revenue
drive.

71
 Appendix

Department of Public Administration,

Fidei Polytechnic Gboko, Benue State

Dear Respondents,

I am a HND student with the above named institution and department. I am carrying out a
research on “the creation of local government and its effect on rural development: A
Case study of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State”.

I will be grateful if you will kindly co-operate with me by completing the questionnaire.
All information given will be treated in strict confidence and used for the purpose of this
research work.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Yours Faithfully,

Kwagh Sharon Msurshima

72
 QUESTIONNAIRE

THE CREATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON RURAL

DEVELOPMENT

INSTRUCTION:

Instruction: indicate the appropriate response by ticking (√) where necessary in the
various columns

SECTION A

Gender: Male [ ] Female ]

[

Marital Status: Single [ ]

Married []
]
Age: 18-25 years [ ] 27 and above [ ]
]
Religion: Christian [ ] Muslim [ ] Any Other
[

Educational Qualification: SSCE [ ] ] Community

OND/NCE [ Leader [

B.SC/HND [ ]
]
Official Status: Civil / Public Servant [ ]
Trader [

73
SECTION B

1. The main aim of establishing Bassa Local Government Council is to bring

development to the rural people?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

2. Do Bassa Local Government Council contributes substantially to the development

of its rural areas?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

3. In what ways does Bassa Local Government Council contribute to rural

development?

a. Funding of projects in the rural areas

b. Empowering the rural people economically

c. Empowering the rural people politically

d. Provision of amenities for the betterment of the rural areas

e. All of the above

f. None of the above

74
4 What amenities are provided by the local government in your area?

a. Water

b. Electricity

c. Motorable Road

d. Schools

e. Health Centre

f. None of the Above

5 Can the council alone bring about the needed development of her rural areas in the
provision of cottage hospitals, schools, roads and farming equipments?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

6 Does the council have tractors/caterpillars for road maintenance and agriculture?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

7 Does Bassa Local Government Council have the following skilled workers?

a. Doctors

b. Engineers

c. Accountants

d. Auditors

75
 e. Administrators

8 Are the skilled workers like Administrators, Engineers, and Doctors enough to
engineer the necessary development of the area?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

9 Do you think that none usage of the council artisan’s engineers to use of
contractors slows the pace of development in the area

Yes

a. No

b. Undecided

10 At Present, would you say that Bassa Local Government Council is well funded by
the state and federal government?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

11 The lack of funding of Bassa Local Government Council affects her

developmental strides in the rural areas?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

76
12 The poor state of roads, schools, market, farming in the council area is occasioned
by inadequate funding by the Federal and State governments?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Undecided

13 What sources are available for generating revenues by the council internally?

a. Tenement rates from markets

b. Ticketing at parks

c. Licensing fees
d. Sales of stickers

e. Water ways rates

f. Other levies

g. All of the above

h. None of the above

Do think that the council generates enough revenue
14 internally??

a. Yes
b. No

c. Undecided

15 How would you describe the local council’s drive for internally generated
revenue?
a. Satisfactory

b. Not satisfactory

c. Undecided

77