An Evaluation of the Performances of the Rural Development Agencies in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Enugu State is one of the States in the country that has been directly made effort to encourage the rural dwellers which constitute 62.8% of its population through initiating numerous rural developmental programmes and agencies. The problem of coordination of these programmes and policies which even some times are initiated even from the federal level has remained unsolved and unresolved. The extent of success of these programmes especially in Enugu State has not been empirically measured. The aim of this study is to empirically evaluate the performance of rural development programs operating in Enugu State with a view to proposing ways for better performance and efficiency in rural development programs in the State. Two research hypotheses were formulated in this study. Secondary data were implored in the study. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multiple Linear Regression statistical techniques were used to test hypotheses. The study suggests that in all the selected rural development agencies, that there was a significant difference between the set-objectives (proposals) and the actualized rural development projects carried out by each of the selected rural development agencies. The study also revealed that there was a strong significant relationship between the performance of these rural development agencies and other exploratory variables that affect performance (as measured by operational equipment (vehicles), number of personnel, funding, administrative change and public participation) in the various agencies. The study recommends among other things: establishment of a rural development Commission, provision of funds and operational equipment, employment of adequate and qualified personnel etc.