THE IMPACT OF CARETAKER COMMITTEE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GBOKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Description

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This research work is on the impact of caretaker committee in the development of Gboko local government. By and large, the importance of local government administration cannot be underemphasized. Countries all over the world have adopted this tier of government as the major source of ensuring that the governments or the dividends of democracy, gets to the grass root. Those in the grass root are basically those areas that ordinarily may not have the well with thaw to get to the government at the center. In some countries local government is referred to as municipals, development centers, counties, or local departments as the case maybe. The underlying motives are that, they are targeted efforts to ensuring that the remote villages and towns get what is due to them. In Nigeria, local government is the government of the grassroot which is designed to serve as an instrument for rural development.

Undoubtedly, an efficient and effective local government system ensures a strong developmental base or foundation of any nation. This was supported by Nwachukwu et al 2000 who stated as thus: Municipal institutions local governments constitute the strength of a nation A nation may establish a free government, but without municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of libertyMan creates kingdoms but townships seems to spring from the hand of God. The position of Nwachukwu et al 2003 actually puts things in the right perspective. It was equally backed by Sir. Arthur Creek as cited by Rowland amp;Humes 1969 whom in strong terms wrote as follows: I believe that the key to success lies in the development of an efficient and democratic system of local government. I wish to emphasize the words

efficient, democratic and local. I do so not because they import any new concept into African administrations; indeed, they have been the aims of our policy for many years. I use the words because the system of government must be close to the common people Local Government and provide local services in a way which will help raise the standard of living, and be democratic because it must not only find a place for the growing class of educated men, but at the time command the respect and support of the masses of the people. In the words of Sir, Arthur Jones above, it is obvious that for any nation to achieve their aspirations as a developed nation, they would as a matter of fact see the local government system as bedrock. Abonyi 2011 while adding his voice noted that, Nigerians have continually aspired for democracy in the belief that only leaders who are democratically elected at local governments can be responsible and responsive to their needs. It is therefore, the disposition of Abonyi that raises the pertinent questions such as; what kind of local government systems are being practiced in Nigeria at present Why has our leaders suddenly abandoned the option of a democratically elected local government administration and adopted the Caretaker Committee System as a substitute to the constitutional provisions of an elected local government officers. Could it be that the Caretaker System is a better option

Gboko local government of Benue State was used as a case study. The local government is one of the largest local government in Benue state which was created during the colonial era. It is regarded as the home land of the Tivs because it houses the great palace of the Tor Tiv.

Over the years, the political system in Benue state most especially the Gboko local government, has been prejudiced and neglected by the elected chairmen and their respective entourage which led to the appointment of caretaker committees in recent time.

It was recorded that the inception of the idea of using the caretaker committee to manage a local government especially Gboko local government has yielded a considerable and encouraging achievements and development. For instance, in the first inception of a caretaker committee, Gboko local government recorded a statistical surge in the utilization of the local government allocation and good governance of the local government by the then caretaker committee. This achievements was attributed to the fact that the caretaker committee was seeking tp be recognized.

1.1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY

On this topic, the researcher wants to find out how Gboko local government was established and also to know the stages of its development and growth through the appointment of caretaker committee. Gboko local government started during the colonial era to notice authority system them to modern local government administrates after Gboko local government core into being what the society and political system were known. The stages of its establishment and development took number of years and changes before it become the third tiers of government. Is there any remarkable achievements bringing the government closer to the people at the grass root or not Any changes in such social political system

Modern local government administration developed along the time of precolonial traditional political system of government, both in the north, west, east and emergency through the principles of colonial administration in the country.

1.2. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to research and find out the effect of appointing caretaker committee on the administrative and economic achievements of Gboko local government.

1.3. SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

The significant of this study is channeled towards highlighting the impacts of appointing caretaker committee in Gboko local government. This was achieved through researching intensively on the developmental attainment of Gboko local government structurally, economically, financially and otherwise under the appointment of caretaker committee in recent time.

1.4. AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The aim and objective of this study is to portrait the developmental level of Gboko local government under caretaker committee and also to explore the means and processes behind these developmental achievements.

The researcher also wants to use this avenue to showcase the history of Gboko local government and the Tiv land, how it faired through the reign of caretaker committees and elected committee. To achieve this, the researchers used information obtained from the members of the public through the distribution of questionnaires and information obtained from the internet.