ABSTRACT

The study examine the assessment of Nigeria’s rural development policy sustainable environmental development in Nigeria, This study was undertaken majorly to evaluate the assessment of Nigeria’s rural development policy on sustainable  development and to determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.

Concerning methodology for this study, data for this study was collected from the respondents through the use of questionnaires. Questionnaires were shared to all 32 respondents of the organization, and field surveys through responses to questions in the questionnaire served as the main source of primary data for this study. Other information was collected from text books, journals and other secondary sources of data. The research design used for this study was the descriptive research design. Since data characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages, and no manipulations of data or variables were necessary, the researcher chose this research design. The researcher discarded other alternatives such as the causal and explanatory research designs, because accurate findings and data analysis may not be achieved. The population figure for the study was 32 respondents.  Since the population for the study was not large, and data could be collected from all the respondents, the researcher adopted the census sampling technique to successfully complete the study. All 32 respondents were used for this study. Various analytical tools and software such as pie charts, bar charts, tables, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software were used in analysing data for this study. Data collected were analysed using frequencies and percentages. These frequencies and percentages enabled the researcher to clearly represent true data characteristics and findings with a great deal of accuracy. Interpretation and analysis of data was also used to describe items in tables and charts used for this study.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

The most serious problems confronting cities, towns and their inhabitants as identified in Agenda 21(1996) include the following: Inadequate financial resources, lack of employment opportunities, spreading homelessness and expansion of squatter settlements, increased poverty and a widening gap between the rich and poor, growing insecurity and rising crime rates, inadequate and deteriorating building stock, services and infrastructure. Other problems include lack of health and educational facilities, improper land use, insecure land tenure, rising traffic congestion, increasing pollution, lack of green spaces, inadequate water supply and sanitation, uncoordinated urban development and an increasing vulnerability to disaster. All these have seriously challenged the capacity of government at all levels to realize socio- economic development and environmental protection, which are all components of sustainable development.
Nigeria as a nation has been experiencing an accelerated shift of her populations from rural to urban areas. This rapid rate of urbanization has engendered several challenges and problems similar to situations in other parts of the world. The problems identified in Agenda 21are prevalent in Nigeria. Today’s Nigerian city, according to Mabogunje (2002) is typified by substandard and inadequate housing, slums, and lack of infrastructure, transportation problems, low productivity, poverty, crime and juvenile delinquency. Urbanization, according to him is the root cause of the high rates of environmental degradation, pollution and social delinquency. Nigeria ranks 151st on the Human Development Index of 177countries worldwide (HDR, 2004).
In order to address the problem of poverty and promote sustainable development, the United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted in September 2000, committing countries both rich and poor to do all they can to eradicate poverty, promote human dignity and equality and achieve peace, democracy and environmental stability. The goals include those dedicated to eradicating poverty, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. Nigeria is a signatory to the Millennium Declaration and has a responsibility to implement the goals.
Various scholars have studied the challenges of sustainability and urban development in Nigeria. Some of them include Falade (1999) whose study focused on the challenges of a sustainable Nigeria, Abumere (2002) whose research centered on urban governance and the challenges of urban poverty, Odeyemi (2002) who did a study on gender and urbanization and Olanrewaju (2003) who focused on sustainability and urban poverty. rural development policy

However, since urban development occurs in a continuum, this paper focuses on the effects of a global development initiative, the Millennium Development Goals, on urban development and sustainability in Nigeria. The study examines the concept of sustainable development, the challenges of urban development and sustainability in Nigeria, and analyzes the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, in order to ascertain the level of achievement of the goals and targets especially those dedicated to poverty eradication and sustainable development, with emphasis on Nigeria. rural development policy

1.2        Statement of the problem

Rural areas in Nigeria, over the years, have been observed to have suffered from utter neglect (Olatubosun 1975, Mabogunje, 1968 ) and exhibit what has been aptly described as 3Ds namely: depression, degradation and deprivation (IgieborNosa et. Al (1986a) The colonial administrators consistently adopted a nonchalant, yet exploitative attitude towards rural development through neglect, through meager budget allocation to rural sector and through failure to provide rural amenities and facilities (Olatubosun 1978 cited by Falade 1990). Viewed against the background of the fact that rural areas in Nigeria provides jobs for over 70% of the population and accounted for 84% of the Nation’s GDP at independence and about 60% as at 1965, the neglect suffered by the rural areas is pathetic and inexcusable.

1.3    Significance of the study

Rural development need to be looked into closely with relevant environmental objectives and targets if they are to effectively progress towards sustainable environmental development policy. This study seeks to draw attention to rural environment for sustainable development policy.

1.4    Objectives of the study

The objectives of this research include but not limited to;

1. To evaluate the sustainable environmental development policy on rural development.

2. To determine if environmental planning in the development of rural communities.

1.5    Research questions

In order to achieve the above stated objectives, the following questions were asked;

1. Is there a significant impact on sustainable environmental development policy on rural development?

2. Does environmental planning in the development of rural communities?

1.6    Research hypotheses

Ho: is no significant impact of environmental planning on rural development There.

Hi: There is significant impact of environmental planning on rural development.

Ho: Environmental planning does not help in the development of rural communities.

Hi: Environmental planning helps in the development of rural communities.

1.7       Limitations of the study

The study was limited by two major factors; financial constraint and time. Insufficient fund and time tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.8    Scope of the study

The study focuses on the the assessment of Nigeria’s rural development policy sustainable environmental development in Nigeria using Uli Local Government Area of Anambra as a case study.

1.9    Definition of terms

Environment: This is the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

Policy: This is the process of making plans for something.

Environmental Planning: Is the process of facilitating decision making to carry out development with the consideration given to the natural environmental, social, political, economic and governance factors and provides a holistic frame work to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Development: Is the process of developing or being developed.

Rural Development: Is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas.

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