LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT: AN EVALUATION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BIDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGER STATE TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT, 2015-DATE

Abstract

This study is an evaluation of the contributions of local governments to rural
development in Nigeria using Bida local government of Niger state as case study.
There are beliefs that proliferation of local governments would result in rural
development because the local governments will embark on development projects
that face-lift the rural areas . The statement of the problem therefore is whether or not
these local governments do contribute meaningfully to rural development. The study
used the instruments of interview and physical inspection (Observation) to gather its
data. It was discovered that the local government, within the period under study had
not embarked on reasonable development projects due largely to lack of funds. Part of
the recommendations was for improved funding of local governments and increased
community self-help development initiatives in the face of increased inability of the
government to meet the development expectations of the people.