PUBLIC POLICY AND GRASS ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF NATIONAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME ON ASARI-TORU L. G. A OF RIVER STATE)
ABSTRACT
In am attempt to develop and improve the standard of living and eradicate poverty in Asari – Torm local government area this study was carried out, it highlighted public policy and grass root development in Nigeria, with a critical appraisal of the National Poverty Eradication Programme. The programme uses personnel, money and material resources to achieve its goals and objectives.
The study is aimed at heightening the significant role of effective and efficient implementation of decided policy like the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in rural development with particular reference to Asari – Torn Local Government Area of Rivers – State.
The public policy formulation for grass-root development in Nigeria could be regarded as a new direction toward poverty alleviation programme while the lack of proper planning and implementation causes a poor level of efficiency of its outcome; which includes lack of consultation with community people (chiefs, elders) by the NAPEP officials, poor orientation & motivation of people toward NAPEP programme, corruption on the part of the NAPEP officials etc.
To ascertain and examine these problems, data were therefore collected based on both primary and secondary sources and a total of 25 questionnaires were administered recording a 100% return. In the test of hypothesis, chi-square technique was used with 5% level of significance (a = 0.05) and percentage pattern were used in analyzing the data.
After analyzing the data many findings were made, which actually substantiated the fact that poor public policy formulation and implementation remains the most devastating problem militating against the alleviation of poverty and grass-root development through the activities of NAPEP programme.
Finally, the study ends with a conclusion and recommendation aimed at solving the problem of poor public policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria which including creation of awareness, motivation, proper consultant with community leaders, transparency and well-organized NAPEP programme and activities, proper administration, training and development, etc.
