ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

The Role of Government in Co-operative Development emphasis on the economic growth of the nation and the eradication/alleviation of poverty among the populace. The significant of the contribution of government towards the growth of co-operative society in the country (Nigeria) cannot be over emphasized because it has brought about the reduction of dependency rate of the country.  This increasing the national income of the country.  The government take no special interest in the co-operative movement outside providing it with the necessary legal basis for registration and under some circumstances, granting minor privilege  in the form of reduced tax rate.

The aim of this project is to find out the role of Anaocha Co-operative society development, Anaocha local government area in Anambra state.  The subjects used for the study consisted of four hundred and ninety-nine (499) Anaocha co-operators from six (6) registered Anaocha co-operatives in the same local government.  Sample size was used in selecting these four hundred and ninety-nine (499) co-operators from the population of six registered Anaocha co-operatives societies in the local government.  Questionnaire and oral interview were the major instruments used for the study. A total of 550 questionnaires were administered to registered members of the co-operative societies.  Out of this number, 499 were completed and returned, one more questionnaire was administered to the Divisional co-operative officer of Anaocha local government area. He also stressed on the need for the co-operative officers in Anaocha local government area to encourage the women to invest more to productive ventures than collection of individual loans from the co-operatives.  This will help provide employment opportunities for the members and the people of Anaocha in general.

CHAPTER ON

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

In Nigeria today, poverty has become a major problem facing the country. The question has been asked, how this problem of poverty which is affecting our economy can be alleviated. Several government bodies have been set up to find solution to that. However, Hajia & Attahiru, S.I (2007) it is important to find out what poverty is all about and the meaning of cooperative by different scholars, and merge the two together for us to have a clearer of the purpose of this study. Cooperatives have become a veritable platform for fighting poverty (Momoh, 2012). Cooperatives are defined as “an autonomous association of persons who unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and social needs and aspiration through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise (ICA, 2005). The simple fact is that any definition of cooperative society, which does not promote the economic interest of the members, cannot be a true definition of Cooperative.Okonkwo, (2011). This is because cooperative is first and foremost a business. It can be regarded as company and its members are shareholders. Being so, every cooperative organization is supposed to make its members richer, if this does not happen, the cooperative has no right to exist at all. Cooperatives are established by like-minded persons to pursue mutually beneficial economic interest. Researchers are of the opinion that under normal circumstance Cooperative play significant role in the provision of services that enhance agricultural development. Patrick (2005) described Cooperatives as a medium through which services like provision of farm input, farm implements, farm mechanization, agricultural loans, agricultural extension, member’s education, marketing of member’s farm produce and other economic activities and services rendered to members.

According to the co-operative law of Eastern Nigeria (CAP.28) of 1956 co-operative society is an association which has its objective the promotion of the economic interest of  or the provision of services for its members in accordance with co-operative principles. Therefore, co-operative is a self help project. Abinitio, co-operative were not supposed to be under government influences and control, though, co-operative were not supposed to work in isolation or in competition with government for is all states of the world political  power is exercised for the state by government. The government provides security for lives and property and also provides and enacts laws which enables business and co-operative to flourish.  Beyond the level of work only for the interest of the member and betterment of the entire society.

1.2       Statement of the problem

Co-operative has always been the subject of critic from the general public about the role to play in the socio-economic life of the populace. Our issue of rural development is the same. In many of our rural areas people have always heard of civilized government and its agents of being partial in the provision of social amenities being responsible for the present rural, urban migration causing poor standard of living in the country. Cooperative societies are faced with some challenges such as initial problem of nonprompt payment for the essential commodities given to members on credit as at when due, coping with excessive request from member, lack of trust by members at the initial stage despite constant orientation and education, lackadaisical attitude of some members, initial hostility by banks, and the right attitude and wisdom to convince the Executive members. Also, inadequate and effective allocation of funds to business ventures hinders cooperative management, inadequate capital, and poor communication management cause a great failure in cooperative societies thus requiring the need for government assistance.Government is expected through it legislation to cooperative.  According to Ijere (2012) government are expected to give grant for training co-operative staffs/expert and payment of staff especially at the initial state of the organization while loan are offered by government to cooperative for many provision of infrastructure like buildings, warehouse,store purchasing of office equipment and raw material. Owing to dearth in Literature related to this expectation place on government, this served as a compelling factor of which the researcher delved into the study which aims at examining the role of government in co-operative development.

1.3       Objective of the study

The broad objective of this study is to examine  role of government in co-operative development using selected co-operative in Anaocha as case study. Specifically, the study seeks:

1. To ascertain the importance of co-operative societies.
2. To determine the challenges of co-operative societies.
3. To investigate government has a significant role to play in the development of cooperative societies
4. To explore if government tend to exhibit undue control over co-operative after supporting their development.

1.4       Research Questions

1. What are the importance of co-operative societies in rural development?
2. What are the challenges faced by  co-operative societies?
3. Do government has a significant role to play in the development of cooperative societies?
4. What is the role of government in co-operative development?
5. Does government tend to exhibit undue control over co-operative after supporting their development?

1.5       Significance of the study

This study is expected to rekindle their interest more and they will take note of various recommendations mentioned and that will help the government towards forming a sound financial institution that will help the development of co-operative and rural areas at large. To the staffs of the cooperative society, this work can serve as a mirror which cooperative staff can see their objectives targets, achievement and importantly people perception.To the poor, to know the working of the cooperative in the Aniocha Anambra State. This would go a long way in assisting them to reduce poverty, by established cooperative societies. This study will also serve as literature to  individuals or co-operative bodies who want to carry out further research on the role of federal government in co-operative financing.

1.6       Scope of the study

The scope of this study is to examine  role of government in co-operative development using selected co-operative in Aniocha in Anmabra State as case study. Six (6) registered Anaocha co-operatives were selected for the study.

1.7       Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing to the nature of the discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. More so, the choice of the sample size was limited  as few respondent were selected to answer the research instrument hence cannot be generalize to other corporate organizations. However, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

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