ABSTRACT

People in rural communities contribute a lot towards the development of their areas whether by providing the labour required or to execute the project, contributing financially or initiating the project and following the planning and execution.

This study therefore investigates the problems of community development in Ibagwa-Aka in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Chapter one is devoted to introduction, the statement of problems, objectives of the study, purpose of study are significance of study are examines.

Chapter two deals with Literature review. The concepts of Community Development as well as problems of Community Development are given attention.  Authorities in Community Development are also cited.

Chapter three looks at the Research Methodology.  Research Design and other Research Methods are given attention.

Chapter four is devoted to Data Presentation and Analysis.  The Data collected from the instrument of Research are clinically analyzed.

Chapter five is the summary and conclusion.  All the findings in the project work are summarized and recommendations by the Researcher are given here.

CHAPTER ONE

1:0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the Statement

Nigeria policy makers in recent years have been showing appreciable degree of interest in efforts by groups of individuals and communities to pull their resources together to solve common problems aimed at making life worthwhile in their locality.

Community effort is a purposeful device that has for ages sustained and maintained most communities in Nigeria, including Ibagwa-Aka. After the civil war, there was little or no financial assistance to their human, economic and social resources divested,  without delay they mobilized their resources to rebuild their war battered economy and social infrastructures.  Rebuilding of homes, schools, post offices, roads markets and provision of amenities like water, Electricity etc.  (even by those that never had any) were done through the community efforts.

Sometimes the government offers technical and financial assistance to rural communities embarking on such self-help efforts.  They do this through government agencies like community development departments in the Federal and State’s ministries of Rural/Social Development and Directorates of Food, roads and rural Infrastructures (DFRRI).  These notwithstanding the facts remains that a lot of problems persisted.

Attempt will be made in this paper to examine these problems that militate against community development in Nigeria rural community with particular reference to Ibagwa-Aka.  Autonomous community in Igbo-Eze south

Local Government Area of Enugu State.  It is with the view of identifying possible improvement strategies.

1.2      Statement of the Problem

Rural duelers have rightfully asserted their place in the scheme of things in Ibagwa-Aka in Igbo-Eze South L.G.A of Enugu State, as they have continued to provide the food needs of the urban population and also supply the raw materials for agro-based industries located in the semi-rural and urban areas of the state and Nigeria at large.

Although, the Ibagwa-Aka Community Ugbo-Eze South L.G.A of Enugu State inhabitants remains the life-wire of the Enugu and Nigerian economy, it has not attracted the needed attention from the government in terms of resource allocation.

Most rural areas in Nigeria lack good water supply motorable roads and electricity (Omorogbe 2005).

According to the Fourth National Development Plan (Volume I) about 95% of the entire population of rural areas in Nigeria is not covered by any form of modern medical facilities of which Ibagwa-Aka Community is experiencing that of course these problems needs to be addressed in order to reduce the severity of the problem on the Ibagwa-Aka Community.

It is now evident that the task of good governance of the Local/Rural Areas cannot be left to the government alone, rural people themselves must have a stake in their own development.

Their fore, there is great need to pay attention to the problem of improving the quality of life of Ibagwa-Aka Community in Igba-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.    

1.3      OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

Generally most rural communities are faced with or confronted by a set of community development problems and may therefore require information to develop responses.

The main aim of this work is to look into and find out these problems rural communities development encounter while executing community development programmes with particular reference to my town Ibagwa-Aka which is in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.  These problems will be highlighted based on my research.

The work will in addition offer recommendations with a view to involving more permanent solutions in its future community development programmes.

1.4      SIGNFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this project lies in the beliefs and practices of Ibagwa-

Aka community and their way of life.  The reforms and the way of life this community in olden times and the present situation and how they have charged in recent times.

1.5      RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The questions to be answered in this research work are as follows:

1.     What are the major problems confronting the development of Ibagwa-Aka Community?

2.     What measures have been put in place to solve some of these problems?

3.     Has the government ever assisted this community in terms of development projects?  

1.6      SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study examines the problems and solutions that confronting Ibagwa-Aka Community in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State. The scope of the study is limited to the Ibagwa-Aka Community.

Due to the social and political nature of the community, there was the need.

To interview the traditional ruler, the village heads and only the unbiased executives of the FIDA for a meaningful of outcome.

1.7      DEFINITION OF TERMS   

Problem: Can be defined as a matter about which it is difficult to decide what to do

Solution: Is a way of dealing with a different situation.

Community: Is a group of people having the same religion or nationality and living in the same general area

Development: Could be defined as the process of moving from low advanced state to a more significant advance state for the benefits of community at the grass root.