Assessement of The strategies of National Poverty Eradication Programme (Napep) On Poverty Reduction In Benue State

Assessement of The strategies of National Poverty Eradication Programme (Napep) On Poverty Reduction In Benue State.

ABSTRACT

Poverty remains one of the most daunting challenges facing Nigeria and has continually remained an issue of public concern.

In response to this challenge, the Federal Government of Nigeria established the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP). In spite of these strides, poverty is still on the increase.

This study assessed thethe strategies of NAPEP on Poverty Reduction in Benue State with a view at ascertaining their effectiveness at reducing poverty.

Both primary and secondary data were sourced. Data collected through the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data from interview, NBS, IMF report, NAPEP publications, CBN report, World Bank report, were analysed using content analysis.

The hypotheses postulated were tested using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation. The study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between CAP and poverty reduction in Benue state.

The study further discovered that there is a significant positive relationship between MAP of NAPEP and poverty reduction in Benue state.

Again, the study discovered that there is a significant positive relationship between FEP and poverty reduction in Benue state.

The study concluded that the problems bedevilling the activities of NAPEP in Benue state is as a result of poor implementation of the strategies employed.

The study recommended that there should be effective implementation of CAP, MAP and FEP of NAPEPthrough adequate investment inducement seminars, access to micro-credit loans, proper coordination of resources, regular absorption of beneficiaries, access to farmlands, fertilizers and pesticides leading to high reductionof poverty in Benue state.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page– – – – – – – – – – i
Declaration – – – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – – – iii
Dedication- – – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgement- – – – – – – – – v
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – vi
Table of Contents- – – – — – – – vii
List of Tables – – – – – – – – – xi
List of Appendices- – – – – – – – – xiii

CHAPTER ONE  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study- – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of Research Problem- – – – – – – 4
1.3 Research Questions- – – – – – – – 5
1.4 Objectives of the Study- – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Statement of Hypotheses- – – – – – – – 6
1.6 Significance of the Study- – – – – – – – 6
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study- – – – – – 8
1.8Operational Definition of Key Terms- – – – – – 9
1.9 Organisation of Chapters – – – – – – – 11

CHAPTERTWOLITERATUREREVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Introduction- – – – – – – – – 13
2.2 The Concept of Poverty- – – – – – – – 132.2.1 Incidence ofPoverty in Nigeria- – – – – – 18
2.3 National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP)- – – – 22
2.4. NAPEP Intervention Programmes- – – – – – 24
2.4.1 Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES)- – – – – – 24
2.4.2 Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme – – – – – – 26
2.4.3 Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme (RIDS)- – – – 27
2.4.4 Social Welfare Service Scheme (SOWESS)- – – – – 27
2.4.5 Farmers Empowerment Programme (FEP)- – – – – 28
2.4.6 Natural Resource Development and Conservation Scheme (NRDCS)- 29
2.4.7 Village Economic Development Solutions (VEDS) Scheme- – – 30
2.4.8 NAPEP‘s Promise-Keeper Programme (PKP)- – – – – 31
2.5 Review of Empirical Studies on the Strategies of NAPEP- – – 32
2.6 Theoretical Framework- – – – – – – – 35
2.6.1 Evaluation Theory by Edward Suchman (1967) – – – – 35
2.6.3Criteria for Evaluation by Suchman (1967) – – – 35
2.6.3 Application of the Theory to the Study- – – – – 37

CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction– – – – – – – – – 40
3.2 Research Design- – – – – – – – – 40
3.3 Population and Sample size of the Study. – – – – – 40
3.4 Sampling Technique- – – – – – – – 41
3.5 Sources of Data- – – – – – – – – 42
3.5.1 Primary Sources of Data- – – – – – – 42
3.6 Secondary Sources of Data- – – – – – – – 42

3.7 Administration of Research Instrument- – – – – – 42
3.8 Method of Data Analysis- – – – – – – – 43

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Socio-Economic Profile of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Benue State-  – 45
4.1 Introduction- – – – – – – – – 45
4.2 A Brief Historical Background of Benue State- – – – – 45
4.3 NAPEP Intervention Programme in Benue State – – – – 47
4.4 Objectives of NAPEP- – – – – – – – 48
4.5 Functions of NAPEP- – – – – – – – 49
4.6 Organizational Structure of NAPEP- – – – – – 49
4.6.1 National Poverty Eradication Council (NAPEC)- – – – 50
4.6.2 State Poverty Eradication Council (SPEC)- – – – – 51
4.6.3 State Coordination Committee- – – – – – – 52
4.6.4 Local Government Monitoring Committee (LGMC) – – – 53
4.7 Functional Departments- – – – – – – – 54
4.8 Sources of Fund of NAPEP- – – – – – – 57

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS– – – – – 59
5.1 Introduction- – – – – – – – – 59
5.2 Administration of Questionnaire- – – – – – – 59
5.3 CAP of NAPEP in Benue State- – – – – – – 60
5.4 MAP of NAPEP in Benue State- – – – – – – 71
5.5 FEP of NAPEP in Benue State – – – – – – 82
5.6 Implementation Success of NAPEP in Benue State – – – 93

5.7 Test of Hypothesis One- – – – – – – – 99
5.8 Test of Hypothesis Two- – – – – – – – 102
5.9 Test of Hypothesis Three- – – – – – – – 104
5.10 Discussion- – – – – – – – – 106
5.11 Major Findings – – – – – – – – 109

CHAPTER SIX

6.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS– – 111
6.1 Introduction- – – – – – – – – 111
6.2 Summary- – – – – – – – – – 111
6.3 Conclusion- – – – – – – – – 113
6.4 Recommendations- – – – – – – – 114
References – – – – – – – – 116
Appendices – – – – – – – – 121

INTRODUCTION 

Background to the Study

Poverty exist in every nation of the world today, the persistent increase in poverty becomes a serious concern and poses great threat to the survival and development of any nation. Poverty affects the people physically, mentally, socially andalso their economic wellbeing.

Nigeria ranked among the 20th poorest countries that started its independence nationhood with poverty level of barely 15% of its population in 1960 and is today struggling to bring it down from about 71% of its current teeming population of about 162million people (World Bank, 2012).

The World Bank in its 2005 report pointed out that poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa is typically higher than elsewhere in the world. They are noted for prevalence of absolute poverty in all its characteristic features.
Poverty here is absolute, pervasive and chronic.

Nigeria is enormously endowed with human, agricultural, petroleum, gas, and largely untapped solid mineral resources but rather than recording remarkable progress in socio-economic development, the country remains one of the 25th poorest countries in the world (Ekpe, 2011).

REFERENCES

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Adejo, A.M. (2006) Poverty in the Land of Plenty in NUBESS Journal of Contemporary Issues, Vol. 1, No.2.pp 15-21

Agboola, S. O. (2011). Briefs of NAPEP’s Mandate, Achievements and Constraints Since Inception. Text of a Paper Delivered at the International Conference of 50 Years of Public Administration in Nigeria: Reflections and Lessons for the Future, Held in National Universities Commission, Abuja.

Ajakaiye, O. (2000), Public Service and the Challenges of Managing Poverty Eradication in Nigeria. A paper presented at the 2003 Retreat for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the Federal Civil Service of the Federation June 18, at NICON Hilton.

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BBC (2006), BBC World News, 16th January.

Brinkerhoff, D. and Crosby, B. (2012), ―Citizen Participation in the Policy Process‖, chapter 3, in Managing Policy Reform: Concepts and Tools for Decision-Makers in Developing and Transitioning Countries, Kumarian Press, Connecticut, USA.