By Alih, Ibrahim Benedict
The main thrust of this study was to critically assess Local
Government and Rural development. Therefore, this research is geared
towards studying Local Government in rural development using Ankpa
Local Government council of Kogi State as a case study.
Local Government in Nigeria has assumed a position of critical
importance in the nation's attempt at building a representative and
sustainable political system based on a democratic culture of
transparency, accountability and efficient management of resources.
Most of the transformation in the political system over the last two
decades almost invariably had the reform of the system of Local
Government as a key turning-point an indication that successive
governments have rightly perceived and recognized Local Governments as
a key stone upon which a desirable political system should be built.
There is no doubt that Local Governments are vested with enormous
powers and responsibilities as a third tier of government but regrettably,
they have not been able to live up to expectations. The research exhaustively explained the concept of Local Governments and Rural Development and their implications in rural Rural Development ranges from support from the higher ties of governments, for the Local Governments, lack of qualified and experienced skilled manpower, political instability with the Local Government system and general body politics of the country, corruption on the part of the whole machinery of the Local Government Administration, lack of proper mobilization of the rural populace or community for equal participation in embracing development activities or programme of their area, lack of proper rural development framework (approach strategy) e.t.c. The research report therefore stands to rectify why Local Governments should be given the serious attention they deserved putting into consideration their places or position and roles in Rural development, most especially the impacts or effect in poor performance on rural dwellers. The literature review and the theoretical framework provided.