CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The
topic of the project work is ″the role of local government in community transformation
“the case study is Ilorin south local government area of Kwara state. The focus
of this research work shall be concentrated on the theoretical and practical
issues referent to the local government and rural transformation with respect
to Ilorin south local government.
A
local government is recognized through its function and the purpose it serve or
makes to the local populace. It sees to the cultural, political social and
economic development of the people within its jurisdiction towards ensuring the
improvement of their living standard and to bring about better living
condition.
The
local populace or people are however the rural dwellers. The question that
really comes to mind is why rural transformation or who should contribute to
rural development and transformation. Noticeably, rural transformation and
local government are interrelated. Hence they work hand in hand.
Rural
transformation implies that changes and innovation under modernization of
sub-tons within the local government which are very for away to the state or
regional government.
However, it should be emphasized that the
experienced colonial administration of the birth in Nigeria before independence
in 1960 brought a great set back in the grass root development and rural
transformation which was a result of the selfish interest of the British government,
in other words, one can say that colonial administration has exploited both the
human and nature resources of rural people through various means such as: force
labour high taxation, indirect rule system of
government and imbalance of payment in trade exercise and thus left
rural area underdeveloped therefore, in an attempt to reduce the problems
created by the British government administration if not totally bring about it
eradication, the federal government in 1976 launched a nationwide local
government reform which was attempt to aimed at trying local government under
the same umbrella for effective and sufficient administration and to mark
uniformity in their development which now pave way for turning point the
history of local government.
The
objective of federal government blue print called the guideline for local
government reform was improve he quality and image of local government all over
Nigeria an effective local government is better placed as a government of the
grass root for the development or rural area. In the words of education
saovina, it involves a through on-going transformation of social structure and
extensive mobilization and motivation of the masses. However, a government that
is for away from the day to day realities of rural areas is unlikely to be required with the task of rural transaction
and development in us also has this view, local government are total government
worth as basic tissue are to human bodily, without which government will not
frugality.
Rural
transformation as part of local government endeavor as part of local government
endeavor shall be discussed in subsequent chapter ahead.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Prior
to 1976 local government reforms in Nigeria that system and structure of local
government or authorities in the country was highly cumbersome and diverse with
each state practicing his own system of administration as appear best.
Most
local government authorities are still financially handicapped and needed
expansion on their revenue base. In must local government are charged with a
lot of responsibilities and functions and thus, their self generated revenue or
internally generated resources are insufficient to meet required needs of its
people dutiful tasks under the constitution and guideline are to meet or
provides both social political, culture and economic needs of its populace.
In
order to ascertain the viability and genuity in transformation and development
of rural areas of Ilorin south local government of Kwara state. The following
statement could be distribution analysis of social development in rural areas,
the distribution analysis of social political and economic activities for the areas
and its people
1.3 PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
Irrespective
of local government limited financial resources from statutory allocation some
notable communities and highly respectable individual in development efforts
purpose of its creation has yet not been realized. However the objective of the
study is to view how such limited funds or resources are distributed and its
accountabilities to the public and this is usually justify through the visible
infrastructural development of which the citizen are the beneficiary of such
project, and also.
·
To examine the level of
grass root transformation and development that has been attain in Ilorin south
local government of Kwara state so far in time provision of rural essential
facilities.
·
To also examine the
success and failure of Ilorin south local government in grass root
transformation as well as the factors responsible for those functions and
responsible suggestion to rectify the situations.
·
To identify the problem
that the grass root transformation is facing and on basic of this make
recommendation as possible solution to the identified problem.
·
To proffer solution to
the problems lastly to know the historical background of Ilorin south local
government area of Kwara state.
1.4 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY
The
project will be great importance to government in terms of planning
implementation and transformation programmes, the study will contribute to body
of existing knowledge.
It
will serve as guidance to the local government especially the decision making.
It
will serve as materials to others researchers and students of public
administration.
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This
is the source of material used in this project, is from both primary and
secondary data. The primary data
employed include questionnaire and interview, while secondary data include
textbook, internet, newspaper and current annual report and project etc.
The
method used to analysed the data of interference statistics and description
analysis.
The
study will also examine the performance of Ilorin South Local Government.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The
scope of this project works is limited to Ilorin south local government area of
Kwara state though, it should be noted that there are about 774 local governments
in Nigeria and in which Kwara state has 10 with which Ilorin south local
government inclusive. But in order to allow for vivid account of the study, the
project therefore subjected or limited to Ilorin south local government and
also to examine this area in term of visible development.
1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
The
organization of the study for this project work comprises of five chapters. The
first chapter deals general introduction, state of research problem, purpose of
the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study,
organization of the study and definition of terms chapter two consist of
literature review theoretical framework, current trends thinking, role of local
government in nation building.
Chapter
three comprises of research methodology, chapter four comprises of data
analysis and presentation and lastly chapter five contains our findings
recommendations and conclusions.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The
definition of terms has to do with the meaning and the appropriate
interpretation of some of the keys or important work used in the today or
context this project work, therefore, the definitions of the terms used is
briefly stated as follows:
Ø Community:
According to the united nations economic and social council document published
on 18th October 1956 defined community transformation as the process
by which the effort of the people themselves are united with those of
government authorized to improve the communities to integrated those communities
into life of the nation and to enable them to contribute fully to the national
progress.
Ø Local:
The Longman dictionary of contemporary English defined the world local as
relating to a particular area you like in or the area you are talking about.
Ø Local Government:
According to Sen.-L Gowon local government administration is defined as the
breaking down of a state into smaller units for the purpose of administration in
which the inhabitant of different unit or localities concerned play a direct
and fault part, through their elected, nominated or appointed representatives
who exercise powers of undertake function under the general authority of a
national or state government.
Ø Role:
according to the enforced advance learners dictionary role is said to be
function or position that somebody has an is expected to perform in an
organization, in society or in a relationship.
REFERENCES
Fayemi,
O.A (1991) Principle of Local Government Accounting. Ife, O.A.U Press
Gboyega
(1987)Political
Values and Local Government in Nigeria, Lagos Mail House Press.
Lasisi
M.A (1987) A Practical Approach to Local Government Administration, Ibadan
vintage publishers.
Omopariola
O. (1983) Management
in the Nigeria Local Government Studies
Vol: 1. Ile-Ife University of Ife Press Limited.
Simeon,
J.N and Bamidele J.A (2006): Conceptual
Approach the Study of Local Government Administration,
Ilorin Olad Publishers.