The primary role of local government all over the world is the role of development. Duru (2011) succinctly pointed that there is lack of consensus as regards to the real meaning of development. This is because the concept attracts varied definitions or descriptions from different people at different times. These differences in approach and emphasis are largely informed by different ideological orientations or inclinations.
Accordingly, he added that over time, the main emphasis had been on economic growth. The economic growth approach to development according to him emphasizes
increase or growth in GNP, GDP, Per Capita Income (PCI) and other measurable variables of economic indices. But, with the passing of time, the inadequacy of this approach became/ obvious and the fallacy of equating economic growth to development became the object of intense criticism. The criticisms largely derived from the paradox of
"growth without development" identified with most third world nations. This has therefore been generally argued that the economic growth approach to development cannot define development.
In contra-distinction, Duru (2011) added that development is a far wider phenomenon reflecting as it does economic, social, political, cultural and psychological as well as other aspects of the society which when put together, amount to clear progress.
This approach adopts the holistic perception or concept of the phenomenon of development; thus, the emphasis being that man's over all well being in the society. The basic feature of the new current (movement) is its emphasis on home-centered development thereby conferring the phenomenon of development the purposive character. This therefore implies that development must have purpose and the purpose is man himself which is the object as well as the subject of development.
Development as a concept is delicate to handle because of abundant literature that exists in development studies and therefore ample attention has been paid to the problem of its definition. Thus, Okpata (2004) agrees with this fact when he posited that the term development is conceptually difficult to handle, yet, it is the cornerstone of every economic growth, especially in the thesis of sustainable development. He continued that development in common parlance may mean "growth, change or planned growth".
In the words of Abah (2000) development is a tri-dimensional concept, adding that development has utilitarian dimension which connotes increase in the quantity of usable items available to man in the society. The position of Abah in this conception indicates that development must be pointing to increase or uprising in the quantity and quality of usable items available to man in the society. But, the problem with this definition is that there is no variable for the measurement of the level of increase in the quantity of usable items available to man and therefore, it is difficult to determine the level of increase of
usable items that are capable of making the man a developed man or making the society developed.
Duru (2011) stated that development is a process of socio-economic and political transformation of problem generating structures in such a way that it leads to improvement in the level of living of the people, including income, education, housing, health and nutrition and other related social services; decreasing inequality in distribution of income, urban-rural imbalances and political and economic opportunities. It equally includes the capacity of the economy (indeed the society) to achieve author centre growth, sustain and accelerate the pace of these improvements over time.
Therefore, any development strategy requires not only concern with the improvement and ascendance of material and mental conditions of living of the entire population in the society through fair and equitable distribution of national wealth and resources.
According to Ewuim (2010) development is not only an economic phenomenon. It embraces more than the financial and material sides of people's lives. It is a multi dimensional process involving the total re-organization and re-orientation of the entire political, social and economic system. Therefore, development should not be viewed in economic terms; but as a systematic concept involving different human institutions and structure and affecting people in diverse ways. She viewed development as a comprehensive change involving the achievement of the following:
i. Economic goals of increased income and employment.
ii. Social goals of equitability and welfare. In other words, people should be treated equally and fairly irrespective of their social class, status, religion, education and the likes. Development should also ensure improved welfare or standard of living for the majority of the people and not the few privileged.
iii. Political goals of dignity and freedom. The populace should be able to select their leaders in a periodic free and fair election without molestation and intimidation.
However, Seers in Nkwede (2010) conceptualized development as a process involving the fulfillment of the necessary conditions for the realization of human
personality. Some of the necessary conditions include education and skill, employment programmes and accessibility to health care system.
Development means freedom from personal assaults and indignity. He contended that development should ensure:
(i) Security against external aggression
(ii) Freedom and opportunity for self fulfillment and growth and control over one's own destiny.
However, Nkwede (2014) in a work concluded that development at the individual level implies progressive increase in skills and capacity to earn income, gain greater freedom for action which is expressed in creativity for the attainment of both material and psychological well being of the man. The definition is unique because of accommodating such elements that could enhance human and societal development. By implications, for development to occur, it must involve:-
(i) Progress; which means whatever is regarded as development has to progress from one low level to another higher level,
(ii) Increase in skills and capacity; meaning the skills and capacity to transcend beyond underdevelopment,
(iii) Income oriented; which represents ability to command certain amount of income capable of pushing such individual or society to another level, and (iii) Ability to gain greater freedom for action; ie freedom from dependence,
freedom from poverty, freedom from diseases and disasters.
But, however problematic local government administration in Nigeria might be;
confused and complex as the various constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria might be in the area of local government administration, and despite the various factors militating against local government administrations performance, it is gratifying to state that local government administration in Nigeria has brought some degrees of development and transformation to both the urban and rural areas in the country.
Specifically, local government administration has performed fairly well in the following areas:
(1) Urban Areas: Conditions of living would have been very unbearable if the local governments were not there to dispose off refuse from all the markets. Local governments are constantly on their toes in the aspect of refuse disposal from the markets and other strategic locations in the cities, though much effort needs to be exerted;
(2) Rural Development: Despite their inadequate finances, local governments have been very useful in opening up the rural areas through the provision of both earth and tarred roads, and this has facilitated rural transformation in Nigeria to a fair extent;
(3) Social Amenities: Provision of electricity, water, market stalls, health centres just to mention a few, in both the urban and rural areas have been positive in most local government council areas in Nigeria via the continued efforts of local authorities and state governments.
2.1.22 Factors Affecting Local Governments in Rural Development in Nigeria