CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF RURAL INDUSTRIALIZATION IN EDO STATE: A CASE STUDY OF ORHIONMWON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE
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Abstract
The study examined the challenges and prospects of rural industrialization in Edo State with focus on Orhionmwon Local Government Area. In order to realize its stated objectives, the study formulated and answered the following research questions: What is the level of industrialisation in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State? What are the major challenges militating against rural industrialization in Edo State? To what extent has the state government gone in formulating and implementing rural industrialization policies in Edo State? And what can be done to actualize rural industrialization in Edo State? The study employed the survey research method and adopted the use of questionnaire as its main primary instrument of data collection. A sample of one hundred and eighty-five (185) respondents participated fully in the study. The findings in the research are as follows: The level of industrialization in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State is still very low due to the issues of lack of factories for processing farm produce in the area; lack of modern farming equipment in the area; lack of regular electricity supply and inadequate/inaccessible roads. The major challenges militating against rural industrialization in Edo State, particularly in Orhionmwon Local Government Area
are: the presence of government is not being felt in communities across the Local Government Area due to the lack of basic and infrastructural facilities; and the non-provision of soft loans and other credit facilities for self-entrepreneurial activities in the area. The State Government in its efforts at formulating and implementing rural industrialization policies in the state have not put in place, the necessary machineries. To begin with, the officials of Orhionmwon Local Government Council do not reside within the area and do not really feel the impact of the environment; the government has not made efforts at boosting agricultural production in Orhionmwon through supply of modern farming equipment, improved seedlings and fertilizers to indigenes; and basic infrastructures are not available in the Local Government Area. And, the required steps at industrializing rural areas in Edo State include: the need to improve living condition in local government area by providing the needed infrastructures; the need to locate factories for producing and processing farm produce in the area; and the provision of financial and credit facilities by the government, since capital is a major determinant in business or ntrepreneurial development. Based on the findings, the following policy recommendations were made: Government needs to de-emphasize total focus on the oil sector and to enhance agricultural development through addressing the needs of rural farmers with functional incentives. The political representatives and leaders need to identify with the development needs of the rural areas of their constituencies. Indeed, they need to articulate such needs and ensure that they become integral parts of the government’s development agenda and that policies or programs initiated to address them are monitored to ensure proper implementation. There is equally the need not only to adequately make budgetary allocation for rural development but, very importantly, in ensuring that such allocated funds are judiciously used to execute rural development projects and programs. There is also the need for monitoring and integrating of the various national, state and local government policies and programmes on rural development and the co-ordination of the activities of all the rural development institutions. And the local
governments in Nigeria need to eschew corruption particularly at the leadership level and emphasize accountability, due process, prudence and diligence.
are: the presence of government is not being felt in communities across the Local Government Area due to the lack of basic and infrastructural facilities; and the non-provision of soft loans and other credit facilities for self-entrepreneurial activities in the area. The State Government in its efforts at formulating and implementing rural industrialization policies in the state have not put in place, the necessary machineries. To begin with, the officials of Orhionmwon Local Government Council do not reside within the area and do not really feel the impact of the environment; the government has not made efforts at boosting agricultural production in Orhionmwon through supply of modern farming equipment, improved seedlings and fertilizers to indigenes; and basic infrastructures are not available in the Local Government Area. And, the required steps at industrializing rural areas in Edo State include: the need to improve living condition in local government area by providing the needed infrastructures; the need to locate factories for producing and processing farm produce in the area; and the provision of financial and credit facilities by the government, since capital is a major determinant in business or ntrepreneurial development. Based on the findings, the following policy recommendations were made: Government needs to de-emphasize total focus on the oil sector and to enhance agricultural development through addressing the needs of rural farmers with functional incentives. The political representatives and leaders need to identify with the development needs of the rural areas of their constituencies. Indeed, they need to articulate such needs and ensure that they become integral parts of the government’s development agenda and that policies or programs initiated to address them are monitored to ensure proper implementation. There is equally the need not only to adequately make budgetary allocation for rural development but, very importantly, in ensuring that such allocated funds are judiciously used to execute rural development projects and programs. There is also the need for monitoring and integrating of the various national, state and local government policies and programmes on rural development and the co-ordination of the activities of all the rural development institutions. And the local
governments in Nigeria need to eschew corruption particularly at the leadership level and emphasize accountability, due process, prudence and diligence.
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