SUMMARY
This study was carried out to examine the Growth and Development of Odigbo local government Local Government Area as its relate to the role of local government in rural development with a view to finding out its impact on grassroots/rural development. The study was conducted in Odigbo local government Local government and its constituent communities. The study has three main objectives which were specifically to; ascertain whether Odigbo local government local government has contributed substantially to rural development, finding out if inadequacy of skilled workers (like qualified engineers all types, medical doctors, etc) has any effect on the ability of Odigbo local government local government council in carrying out rural development programme and verifying whether inadequate financing by both state and federal governments hinders the council in carrying out developmental programmes.1
This study shows that healthcare services in Odigbo local government local government has not been sufficiently followed the limited number of hospitals in the council area. Health care services in Odigbo Local Government face the problem of insufficiency. There is only no general hospital in existence, which are functionally ailing and the Odigbo local government local government has provided one local one at the headquarters Ore. In addition, other existing cottage hospitals are privately owned.2 Local governments have not provided adequate healthcare services in most communities as a means of improving community development as revealed by the case of Odigbo Local Government area. The findings further reveal that educational development of Odigbo Local Government council has not improved as expected.3 Few existing primary and secondary schools are in acute shortage of facilities and are located in for distance from some communities especially those who are in the riverine areas of the council that have to travel far distance for school, the population structure also shows that greater number of people is in need of education. The findings also revealed that other social amenities such as water, electricity among others have been in short supply. Water and electricity have not really been provided in most of the communities.4
It is also found that inadequate fund affect the engagement ofOdigboLocal Government in community development. The finding of Local Government from the Federation and State accounts has been enough for Local Government to carryout its function. Internally generated revenue has not been adequately increased to finance community development.5
Finally, the findings show that lack of utilization of skilled workers like engineers to the use of contractors is another hindrance to rural development in OdigboLocal Governmental-seriousness in revenue mobilization/generation internally is another major hindrance to the development of the council area.
The findings also shows that Local Government lack some equipments to carry out the community projects which requires heavy machines such as tractors and caterpillars and equipments which the rural people do not possess in order to improve their farming inputs and complete their projects.
