AN APPRAISAL OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AS A TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

(A CASE STUDY OF ANIOCHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE)

ABSTRACT

In a nutshell the researchers of this project work  will base their work on the topic. An appraisal of public relations as a tool for effective local government Administration.

 

For the purpose of this thesis as well as proper understanding, the researchers in chapter one explored the historical antecedent of problem that necessitated the thesis, the objective of the thesis that is what motivated the study, the importance of the thesis to the people, Local government areas. They also used hypothetical questions that helped in the effectiveness of the topic which were analysed in chapter four and basing the facts of the gotten results there in. They also gave brief definition of terms and made forecast of what to be studied as well as indicating the problems encountered in the course of the research.

 

This study, aims a evaluating the effectiveness of public relations as a tool in Aniocha Local Government administration, thereby bringing to light the inevitability of public  relation as it concerns local government administration.

 

Chapter One of this work highlights the background of the study, problem statement, objectives, significance of the study and definition of terms. In chapter two other related literature to the topic were received. Chapter three presents research methodology, analyzing related collected data in chapter four.

Chapter four concludes the study as well giving recommendation to the next researcher that might delight in the topic area to focus and research on.

CHAPTER ONE 

• INTRODUCTION…………………………………………….1
  • Background of the study……………………………………..1
  • Statement of the Research problem…………………………6
  • Objective of the study ………………………………………..7
  • Significance of the study……………………………………..8
  • Research Questions…………………………………………..9
  • Research Hypothesis………………………………………….10
  • Conceptual and operational Definition of terms…………..11
  • Assumptions……………………………………………………13
  • Limitation of the study………………………………………..13

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

• REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE……………………………..15
  • Sources of Literature……………………………………..15
  • The Review…………………………………………………15
  • Summary of Literature Review…………………………..28

 

 

CHAPTER THREE

• METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………29
  • Research Method…………………………………………..29
  • Research Design……………………………………………30
  • Research Sample……………………………………………31
  • Measuring Instrument……………………………………..33
  • Data Collection………………………………………………34
  • Method of Data Analysis……………………………………34
  • Expected Result………………………………………………35

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

• DATA ANALYSIS & RESULTS
  • Data Analysis……………………………………………………..36
  • Result………………………………………………………………
  • Discussion…………………………………………………………

CHAPTER FIVE

• SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Summary …………………………………………………..48
  • Conclusion…………………………………………………..49
  • Recommendation……………………………………………50

References…………………………………………………………..52

Questionnaire………………………………………………………53

CHAPTER ONE 

• INTRODUCTION…………………………………………….1
  • Background of the study……………………………………..1
  • Statement of the Research problem…………………………6
  • Objective of the study ………………………………………..7
  • Significance of the study……………………………………..8
  • Research Questions…………………………………………..9
  • Research Hypothesis………………………………………….10
  • Conceptual and operational Definition of terms…………..11
  • Assumptions……………………………………………………13
  • Limitation of the study………………………………………..13

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

• REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE……………………………..15
  • Sources of Literature……………………………………..15
  • The Review…………………………………………………15
  • Summary of Literature Review…………………………..28

 

 

CHAPTER THREE

• METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………29
  • Research Method…………………………………………..29
  • Research Design……………………………………………30
  • Research Sample……………………………………………31
  • Measuring Instrument……………………………………..33
  • Data Collection………………………………………………34
  • Method of Data Analysis……………………………………34
  • Expected Result………………………………………………35

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

• DATA ANALYSIS & RESULTS
  • Data Analysis……………………………………………………..36
  • Result………………………………………………………………
  • Discussion…………………………………………………………

CHAPTER FIVE

• SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Summary …………………………………………………..48
  • Conclusion…………………………………………………..49
  • Recommendation……………………………………………50

References…………………………………………………………..52

Questionnaire………………………………………………………53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

• BACKGROUND

 

Ever since the inception of Nigeria, it has always been the rationale of any level of government  to maximum the welfare of her citizens especially at the local levels, but how to increase the standard of living and general well being of these people the ruralities have posed major problems to Nigeria. The aim of solving these problems led to the establishment of local government in Nigeria area.

 

Historical Background of Local government in Nigeria could be traced back to the imperialist era. This was introduced by the imperialists as the system of native Administration, it was later transformed to a modern system of local government in the former Eastern region. This qaue rise to introduction of Local government ordinance of 1950 and was subsequently adapted in some other parts of the country.

 

The Local government Act of 1950 brought into being the three – tier system : The Country Council (urban and rural) district councils and local councils. Each of the tiers enjoyed a reasonable degree of independence as well as functions commensurate to its resources. The inadequancies of the 1950 Act such as the system of taxation and allocation of functions, supervision and control, corruption and mismanagement was replaced by the Local government Law of 1955 in the  Eastern region and later remedied by 1958 Act. This 1955 Law gave the minister for local government increased powers to exercise  control over  the personnel and financial administration of councils, Local government commissioners,  were appointed to support the minister for local government and were given such powers to as the approval of appointments of some junior and daily paid council staff.

 

The 1958 Act reduced the hitherto existing three tier system to two, consisting of district and local councils. The 1960 of district and local government law in Eastern Nigeria renamed the  district council as county council but retained the two – tier system of country and local council. Thus, it has been seen that the various forms of local government in operation in Nigeria  till 1966 were modeled after the British system  which was alien to the Nigerian culture and did not hold effectively. Nigeria went in search of a local government system more suited to Nigeria environment but this was halted by the 1967 – 70 civil war. After the civil war, local administration took several system of local government known as divisional administration was adopted and it contained 39 divisions and they served as advisory bodies while its further division known as the community council areas had the power to raise funds, plan and implement project.

 

Also in the South – East, a system of administration known as development administration was adopted with the aim of involving local communities into active participation in government for the purpose of engendering the spirit of development in the areas.

Nigeria took major step in ensuring the welfare of it citizens especially those who live in the rural areas by extending the local government in its 1979 constitution. The major implication of this constitutional provision is that the local government council came to assure a tremendous importance with regards to  accelerating the pace rural transformation. However, the performance of the local government ever since the local government reforms in 1979 was viewed against their objective of being avenue for grassroots political participation, effective social service delivery  and mobilization of local resources is less then commendable. Inspite of the constitution entrenchment of local government the system has remained as best shaky and inefficient.

 

The 1979 constitution made ample provisions for the existence and sustence of the system stating “The system of local government by democractically  elected local government  council is under this constitution guaranteed and accordingly, the government of every state shall ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment , structure, composition, finance and functions of such council”. But rather then maintain a relatively autonomous status, the nation’s local government became mere appendages of over – zealous during the in famous second republic. This was a direct consequence of the inability to hold elections after the expiration of the tenure of councilors in1976. as a result, the councils were filled with party faithful who followed the dicates of their respective political parties. This was followed by a reckless fragmentation of local government. As indiscriminate and misguided creation of new local government council was embarked upon by state government exception in defunct Bendel state.

The advert of military government of Buhari/Idiagbon in December in December 31 1983, ended the abuse which the Local government  were subjected to, a forthright attempt was made to revert them to their 1979 constitution and their structural arrangement. The report of Pasaki panel which reviewed the Local administration from August 1985 to December 1993. it was during this regime that local government became partially autonomous. The Federal statutory allocation of local government were being remitted direct to the local government through the central and also maintained the state revenue allocation of ten percent, it is called partial autonomy because the state government and development of senior staff to the local government is responsible for the local government service through the local government service commissions situated at all the state headquarters.

 

Government acceptance of the report in 1986 led to the appointment of councilors into all the existing councils. The office of the sole administrator ultimately gave way to that of the chairman, with the selection of councilors cultivating the process in the light of these changes and following the dramatic move by the Babangida regimes to do away with the sole administration system and its place introduced a five number committee arrangement headed by the chairman. It became absolutely necessary to articulate the roles and problems of third – tier system of government with regards to how it has succeeded in entrenching the   process of development at grassroots level.

The Abacha’s regime adopted a system of caretaker committee appointed by the state governances and five other representing the five departments in the local governments.

 

The latest Olusegun Obasanjo,s democratic government runs the local government affairs through councilors at the community level and chairman at the local council level.

 

 

All these were the main efforts to ensure that the rural dwellers are receiving the necessary attention from both federal and state government through the Local government.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ANIOCHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT  AREA OF DELTA STATE.

 

This local government area come into being on 1^st August 1991 during the regime of General Ibrahim  Gbadamasi Babangida (Rt). This Local government is made of fifteen autonomous communities which include Isseke – Uku, Ukwu – Nzu, Onicha – Ugbo, Onicha – Uku, Issele – Azagba, Ezi, Onitsha – Olona, Oblor, Ubulu – Okiti, Issle – Mkpitime, Idumuje – Uno, Idumuje – Ugboko, Obomkpa, Iduma – Ogo and Ugbodo respectively with a population of 160, 664 based on 1991 population census. However, the projected population figure for the local government by the nationa population commission for 1996 is about 180,829. the land area of the local government is about 155,020 kilometers with a population density of about 2,132.35 per square kilometer.

Government at the grassroot level began at various times in the three regions of the country. This could be said to have started from the Richards constitution of 1927 which authorized the creation Nigeria into three region namely, the North, East, and West regions.

 

1.2              STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

 

Information needs to be communicated to the people concerned at the right time and season. Aniocha Norht Local government lacks this effective public relations communication within and outside the organization. This study therefore, will research into the factors responsible for the poor performances of the public relation / information unit in the area of communication.

It is against this background that this study emanated. We will also find out how the local government administration in Aniocha North is able to fund and support this unit to ensure effective policies and programmes perception by its publics.

Therefore this research is meant to evaluate popularity, performance and activities of the public relations in local government administration. And to determine the extent which the grassroot recognize the performance and activities of the public relations, to evaluate whether the popularity, performance and activities of the public relation in local government administration is making the desired impact on the grass root populace and other rural dwellers.

The work also looks into the way public relations contributes to the image making of the local government administrations.

 

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The present problem of the local government administration as stated in the statement of problem his necessitated this study.

 

However, this study is aimed at evaluating the modus operandi of  Aniocha North Local Government Area to  find out why the grass root populace is not well informed of government activities and programmes and as cannot contribute meaningfully to  local  government of the ruralities to participate in the programmes that aid their development.

It will also look into the essence and importance of public relations department in the local government administration.

Finally, it is our intention to identify, explain and offer some public relations strategies or techniques that will help to shore up the sagging corporate images of local government administration in Nigeria.

We are of the belief that if these strategies are carefully managed and implemented by public relations officers and chief executives of these local government, the corporate images of Nigeria local government will significantly improve the aforementioned problems which have prompted the conduct of the research.

 

• SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

These essence of this research is obvious especially at this time when local government has come to assume an over whelming influence in the process of political, social and economic development of the rural communities. Hence, it is relevant to examine closely the characters and dynamics of this third tier of government to clarity the major contradictions that have tended to impede its capacity to promote development at local level.

Furthermore, scientific study of this kind is of relevant especially at this time when the post and present administration are particularly concerned about rural development. Nevertheless, this study will add to the growing numbers literature on local government affairs, particularly on the impact of local government administration to rural dwellers and pragmatic solution offered towards making them more efficient and responsive to the needs of rural Nigerians. It will equally be lucrative not only to administrations, chairman but also policy makers and researcher in related topics.

 

• RESEARCH QUESTION

Those question below are the research questions which when answered with care will aid in beefing up the research topic.

Q1       How far has the public relations been able to influence the opinion and the attitudes of the publics.

Q2       What to extent has the public relations information unit being  able to win goodwill and acceptance of programmes and activities of the local government?

Q3       Does the management of the local approves the opinion and programmes initiated by the public relations/ information unit?

Q4       Has the public relations/ information unit in local government area lived up to  expectations by relating effectively with  various communities that constitute the local government.

 

• RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H₁ :      The public relations has been able to influence the opinion and programmes in initiated by the public relations/ information unit.

H₀ :      Public relations is able to win public goodwill and acceptance of programmes and activities of local governments.

H₂ :      Public relations has being able to influence the opinion and programmes initiated by the public relations/information unit.

H₀ :      Public relations is not able to win goodwill and acceptance of programmes and activities of local governments.

H₃ :      The management of Aniocha North Local government approves the opinion and programmes initiated by the public relations/information unit

H₀ :      The management of Aniocha North Local government approve not the opinion and programmes initiated by the public relations/information unit.

H₄ :      Public relations/information unit in local government area has live up to expectation by relating, effectively with various communities that constitute the local government.

H₀ :      Public relations/information unit in local government area has not live to expectation by relating effectively with various communities that constitute the local government.

 

• CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

For proper understanding of the research topic the researchers deems it expedient to explain some basic term in the topic as well as words, commensurate to the topic which the reader might come across while reading the research. However, below are the definitions of such terms.

 

CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONS	DEFINITION OF TERMS
CONCEPTUAL	OPERATIONAL
PR – Public Relation	PR – Public Relations
Public – People in general	Public – people who are important in realization of organization goal
Image – likeness or copy of the shape of somebody or something	Image – mental picture, idea or concept help by the public about an organization
Public Relations – the art and science of analyzing trends predicting their consequences, counseling organisation’s leaders and implementing planned programmes of action which will save both an organization and interest	Public Relations – this is the communication function where in the image or an organization is projected and the mutual understanding of the organization.
Local Government – This is government at the local exercised through representative councils established by laws to exercise specific function within defined area	Local Government – it is government brought down to the grass roots to man the affairs of rural communities within their control, being a link to the Federal government thereby ensuring the programmes of the government are for the interest of the ruralities.
Administration – Management of affairs by people who are vest with such authority.	Administration – This is the act of controlling affairs of a group of people by someone, a person who has in control of such affairs.
Programme – Plan of what is to be done	Programme – Plan of sustainable actions for the running of the local affairs.
Population – Number of people living in a place.	Population – Number of people involved in the study.
Journal – A periodical or daily publication	Journal – It periodical publication done by the public relations unit.

 

 

• ASSUMPTIONS

In this research topic, Appraisal of public relations as a tool for effective local government administration, a case study of Aniocha North Local government Area of Delta State. The researchers will look into what local government administration is, how the public which is the ruralities or rural communities understand the activities of the local government, the agent that these local government used in enhancing that there is swift flow of communication between them and the department that has taken the place of this public relations department in the local government area.

 

• LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study is aimed at evaluating public Relation as tool a for effective modus operandus of local government area to this effect. This study is suppose to cover the mode of local government in the nation, the effect of these administration on the communities, the corporate image of the local  government areas and how the publics aid in enhancing the corporate identity of the local government administration.

The project work is however solely limited to Aniocha North Local Government area in Delta State due to certain constraint as lack of time to go around collecting the data that would have been helpful from other Local government areas.

Also financial Constraint contributed to the choice local government area as a case study. Sampling the whole local government area in the country will be costly for the researchers.

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